Winchester: the water meadows and St Catherine's Hill
Past the cathedral and along the water meadows to St Cross, then up St Catherine's Hill.
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Ascent
- 100 m
- Time
- 2–2.5 h
- Grade
- Moderate
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 101 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Winchester: the water meadows and St Catherine's Hill is a moderate 7.7 km circular walk with 100 m of ascent, taking 2 to 2.5 hours. It starts at Winchester station (grid reference SU 478 299). The start can be reached by public transport.
From Winchester station, the walk passes the cathedral and follows the River Itchen out of the city through the water meadows, the walk that inspired Keats's ode To Autumn. It reaches the Hospital of St Cross, an almshouse founded in the 12th century.
It then climbs St Catherine's Hill, an Iron Age hillfort with a turf-cut maze on the top and a view back over the city.
Route
-
1
The cathedral
Walk from the station past the cathedral.
-
2
The water meadows
Follow the Itchen through the meadows to St Cross.
-
3
St Catherine's Hill
Climb to the top of the hill, and return to the city.
Summit
St Catherine's Hill
101 m
On the way
-
Winchester CastleCastle · 300 m from the route
Questions about this walk
- How long does Winchester: the water meadows and St Catherine's Hill take?
- Most walkers take 2–2.5 hours for the 7.7 km route, which has 100 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Winchester station (grid reference SU 478 299). Park and ride and city-centre car parks (charge).
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Trains to Winchester. Check times on Traveline.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded moderate. Pavements, riverside and meadow paths, and a steep climb up steps onto the hill.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Cattle graze the water meadows and St Catherine's Hill at times: keep dogs on a lead.
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