History, nature and city life, this walk has it all. 

Setting out from one of this cathedral city's most iconic landmarks, this week's walk of the week takes us to Winchester.

This walk starts at the King Alfred the Great statue in the Broadway at Winchester (0 miles), allow three hours to complete it. 

Head to the shops going away from the roundabout keeping to the right-hand side of the Broadway. Turn right down Middle Brook Street (0.14 miles) cross St. Georges Street (0.17) and continue down the pedestrianised section. At the end, go straight on across Friarsgate (0.24). On reaching North Walls (0.36) continue down Park Avenue which has an avenue of mature trees. At the end, (0.46) on entering the park, turn left and cross the lefthand of two bridges. On reaching Gordon Road, (0.60) turn right along it and then left into King Alfred Terrace (0.63). At the end, cross a footbridge over a Brook (0.67) and turn right along a path. Fork left (0.72) to look at and pass-through Hyde Abbey Gate House. Then cross King Alfred Place into the churchyard of St Bartholomews and go clockwise around the church to join Hyde Church Path and go right down it (0.78). On reaching the King Alfred pub, (0.86) go straight across into Monks Road but only to cross a brook and then turn left along a path following the righthand side of the Brook. This path is called Nuns Walk and it leads to Kings Worthy.

(Image: Richard Kenchington) Go straight across Nuns Road (0.94) to continue following the brook. Cross a minor road (Hillier Way) near a car park (1.12). Pass Hillier Haven on the right and ignore a path on the left (1.20). Pass to the left of a gate into a private property to continue following the brook on a narrower path. Go left over a bridge over the brook (1.45) and then turn right to follow the lefthand side of the brook. There are then views across the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve and on the other side is the route back. Cross a footbridge next to a pipe (1.92). On reaching the A34, (2.02) the path goes left. Go right (2.17) through two tunnels under the A34 dual carriageway and then immediately left (2.23). Go right (2.26) to pass between two office blocks. The path crosses a car park and then continues to pass along the side of Church Green (2.36). Enter St Mary’s churchyard (2.40) and go clockwise around the church into a parking area (2.46). Go down a track to the right of The Old Post Office, pass between two garages and through a gate to the A33 (2.56).

Take great care when crossing the A33 and continue along the path opposite. Cross a footbridge over a ditch (2.72). On reaching Mill Lane, (2.81) turn right along the Itchen Way. Cross the River Itchen – the route is now heading back to the start. Cross over a watercourse (2.86) and later a second (2.97) and then a third (3.06) where the path bends left into the grounds of a house. Cross a fourth watercourse (3.09) and pass in front of the house. Cross a fifth watercourse (3.12) and immediately fork right onto a path. Keep to the well-defined path with watercourses and lower land to the right.

(Image: Lee Churchill) On reaching the A34 again, (3.59) use two tunnels to pass under the dual carriageway next to the River Itchen. After the second, (3.64) turn left along the path with the Winnall Moors Nature Reserve on the right again. Cross a stile (4.01) and beyond is a long linear field, keep to the righthand side of it. Cross a stile (4.56) by an Angling Club car park and go straight on along the vehicular track. On reaching a road, go right along it (Wales Street) (4.65). Turn right down Colson Road (4.77) cross over to the lefthand side and go down a path between numbers 7 and 9 to follow the River Itchen. On reaching Wales Street again, (4.95) go straight across down Water Lane. Do not cross either of the two footbridges across the river but utilise the path next to the river. When the path returns to Water Lane (5.15) go right and right again upon reaching Bridge Street. Cross the Itchen by the City Mill and the statue where you started is ahead. (5.25). Beyond the statue on the right and outside St Johns House there is the bus stop for the Park and Ride sites.

If you enjoy this walk, put together by Richard Kenchington of the Ramblers' Association, join the Winchester Ramblers when they next explore the area!