Walking the Itchen at Winnall Moors by Steve Page
Winnall Moors Nature Reserve
Location
OS Map Reference
SU 490 306
Know before you go
Entry fee
Donations welcomeParking information
The nearest car park is Durngate pay and display. It is cheaper to use the city’s park and ride service and walk the final 5 minutes from the Broadway to Durngate.Bicycle parking
There are bicycle stands at the junction of Durngate Terrace, Union Street andPark Avenue.Grazing animals
Cattle and new forest poniesWalking trails
There is one surfaced path and boardwalk. For a longer walk (4.5 miles), overlooking the water meadows, you can follow the Itchen Way up the east of the valley, cross the river at Fulling Mill and return down the west side of the valley via St Swithun’s Way.
Access
The Durngate entrance is at Durngate Place, Winchester, SO23 8DX, opposite the Willow Tree pub.
Car: From M3 junction 9, take Easton Lane into Winchester. After 1 mile road forks right, immediately after on right is Durngate pay and display car park and reserve.
For sat nav users: SO23 8DX to Durngate pay and display car park.
Train: Winchester is ¾ mile away. Leave from Station Hill exit, walk down hill onto City Road, becoming North Walls Road. Pass the police station on left and fork left towards Winnall via Durngate Place. Durngate entrance to WinnallMoors is on bridge over River Itchen.
Bus: Winchester bus station is ½ mile away. From the bus station Turn left onto Broadway, at roundabout turn left onto B3330 (Eastgate Street). Turn right down Durgate Terrace. The Durngate reserve entrance is opposite.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Usually open, but sometimes the reserve is closed for moving cattle or during flooding.Best time to visit
Visit in summer to enjoy the lush oasis character of the nature reserve, a stone’s throw from the city. Wildflowers, close encounters with deer and a glimpse of kingfishers make for a magical visit.About the reserve
A stone’s throw from Winchester city centre, Winnall Moors nature reserve is a picturesque patchwork of wildflower-rich meadow, pasture and woodland, with a beautiful, clear chalk stream running through its heart.
With the Adventure of Winnall Moors story trail, you can help the creatures of Winnall Moors rescue the Kingfisher from the evil clutches of the Toad Emperor and his army. Follow the sculptures and clues around the reserve to help you on your way to victory.
You can also follow the water vole trail, which takes you from Winchester city centre into the reserve. Look out for these charismatic little mammals, or listen out for the distinctive ‘plop’ of one dropping into the water as you follow the winding path along the River Itchen.
During the spring this nature reserve really comes to life – reed warblers, sedge warblers and chiffchaffs sing at full volume, and marsh marigolds, yellow flag irises and cuckoo flowers adorn the meadow like jewels in the crown of England’s ancient capital.
Winnall Moors has long, surfaced paths and boardwalks, making walking with a pushchair easy.