Winchester, St Catherine's Hill and The Itchen Navigation

Passing the statue of King Alfred on the High Street, the route follows the city wall and the banks of the River Itchen past the ruins of Wolvesey Castle. Continuing along the Itchen Navigation (historic towpaths dating back to the late 12th century), the trail ascends St Catherine's Hill, owned by Winchester College and managed as a nature reserve.

The hilltop features a clump of beech trees first planted in 1760 and a prehistoric-style turf maze. Descending back to the valley, the route visits the Hospital of St Cross (founded in 1133 as Britain's oldest working charitable institution, offering the traditional Wayfarer's Dole of bread and ale) before returning past Winchester College (founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham).

This delightful walk captures both the medieval architectural splendour of England's ancient capital and the tranquil beauty of the Hampshire water meadows.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.