Shawford-Twyford Down
This 3.5 mile walk starts and finishes at Shawford. It takes you along the Itchen navigation to Hockley Golf Course, up the hill and then loops back to Compton Lock and Shawford. Take refreshments at The Bridge Pub.
Park in the Shawford Down car park just to the west of the railway bridge or start your walk from the railway station.
Grid ref: SU 471 249
1.
Just past the pub, take the footpath up the Itchen Navigation. Follow this until it forks, just before the bridge under the M3. Take the right fork to follow the Itchen Way.
The Itchen Navigation
"The Itchen Navigation is a 10.4-mile (16.7 km) disused canal system in Hampshire, England, that provided an important trading route from Winchester to the sea at Southampton for about 150 years. Improvements to the River Itchen were authorised by Act of Parliament in 1665, but progress was slow, and the navigation was not declared complete until 1710. It was known as a navigation because it was essentially an improved river, with the main river channel being used for some sections, and cuts with locks used to bypass the difficult sections. Its waters are fed from the River Itchen. It provided an important method of moving goods, particularly agricultural produce and coal, between the two cities and the intervening villages."
2.
When you reach the main road, cross over and follow the footpath arrows into the Hockley Golf Club to the right. The path goes to the right of the club house and then up a gravel track. Beware of flying golf-balls.
3.
As you climb the hill, look back at the view of Winchester and the Itchen Valley.
4.
Just after the gravel track ends, shortly after a field hedge on the right and maintenance shed on the left, the path forks across the grass.
Here you could continue for an extended walk up and over Twyford Down.
Our route turns right and through a narrow gap through a low mound and onto a new path. Turn right and follow the path back, eventually heading down the hill between two hedges.
5.
Follow the sunken path all the way down the hill, over a farm track, until you reach the main road.
6.
Use the pavement to the right, round a left bend until it bend right again and you are opposite the "Church Lane" sign. Cross over and take the track to the old mill to the left of Church Lane. Do not go down Church Lane.
Follow this past the old mill and into the nature reserve.
7.
The path continues across water meadows until it re-joins the Itchen Navigation path you started on, at Compton Lock.
8.
Turn left and follow the tow path back to the start at Shawford.
Shawford-Twyford Down.pdf