Wickham Water Meadows
Children will enjoy swimming and paddling in the river on this walk.
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3 km
Terrain: Flat, well maintained paths, paved paths and some streets. One set of steps.
Pushchair: The whole route is well suited to pushchairs other than the steps down to the water meadows, which could probably be negotiated
Dogs: Yes and they can enjoy a swim.
Refreshments: Harry’s Hut serves food, coffees, cakes etc, Thurs - Sun, 10am-dusk.
Toilets: Public toilets on Station Road
Parking: Free car park on Station Close off Mill Lane (Postcode: PO17 5HY - W3W: immune/feasting/snippet)
Wickham is a large village with plenty of charm. Attractive buildings surround the village square, housing independent shops and restaurants. Just a couple of minutes from this, you will find the water meadows; a place where families can come to picnic and play in the River Meon. Our walk passes by this popular spot and much of the route uses the old track of the Meon Valley Line.
The Route
From the car park, look for the large sign indicating the Meon Valley Trail. You will need to turn right here and will almost immediately go over a bridge. Continue along the straight line of the trail. Soon, you will go over another bridge, this time over a road and with good views of the village church.
Your next point of reference will be the wooden steps on your right which lead down to the water meadows. If you are looking to do the walk and paddle/picnic at the end, then you should not go down the steps, but carry on along the trail.
Continue with occasional glimpses of the river and various back gardens. The path will narrow and eventually you will spot a golf course on either side of the path. Keep going and when you have almost reached the perimeter of the golf course, you will need to turn right onto the paved footpath (this was the second right hand path into the golf course). The path did not have a sign to mark it, but If you reach the vineyard, then you have gone too far.
Shortly, you will see the entrance to Webb Farm Vineyard heading off to your left. You should turn right and follow the paved path. This will eventually become Tanfield Lane which has houses on the right and open land to the left.
Tanfield Lane will end at Winchester Road, the main road through the village. Cross this and head for the opening between the barbers and Indian restaurant. Go around the gate to soon find yourself at the water meadows. Up the bank to your left you will see Harry’s Hut where you can get refreshments with outdoor seating.
Follow the path as it bends to the right to arrive at the river. This is an excellent spot for paddling and is almost deep enough for children to actually swim in parts. There are a few picnic benches scattered around the grassy banks.
To complete the walk, cross the bridge and head up the steps before turning left.
*You can easily walk to the village square as an add on to this walk and pass Chesapeake Mill with its vintage and antiques shop and tea room.
*We also enjoyed a pretty little play area that we spotted on the new housing estate just off the roundabout between Fareham Road/Hoad’s Hill/School Road. It is possible to walk there, but we drove and used the free lay-bys beside the park.
Did you know?
The water meadows as the public space we see today, were created as a millennium community project. The area around the river has been used for foundries, tanneries, smithies and breweries and more recently for grazing cattle. A trust of volunteers now help to keep it as a beautiful space where the public can access the river.