Watercress and Winterbournes

The Rivers Test and Itchen are iconic features of the Hampshire landscape, but the headwater chalk streams that give them life are some of the greatest hidden treasures in the county. With only around 200 chalk streams worldwide, these cool, oxygenated, alkaline waters provide a uniquely perfect habitat for species like water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly, water crowfoot, and white-clawed crayfish.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme has spent the last 6 years connecting communities with these chalk streams, restoring habitats and inspiring people to care for them. 

The scheme has improved the resilience of these headwater streams thanks in a large part to our amazing chalk stream champions who have worked tirelessly with us to remove invasive non-native species, monitor their local chalk streams, support our partners in delivering restoration projects, deliver education sessions and events and collect chalk stream stories – they have been the lifeblood of Watercress and Winterbournes and we thank them all.

We would also like to extend a large thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all national lottery players for making all of this possible. 

Below is a 4-part film series that captures the thoughts, passion and drive of our communities to keep championing their chalk streams: