
What we’re about
Welcome to Winchester Social Walks, a small friendly walking group with a relaxed approach to walking.
We aim to offer members a chance to meet, walk and talk with others in the beautiful Hampshire countryside and occasionally beyond, giving everyone the opportunity to soak in the views, enjoy nature, the wildlife, and take plenty of pictures.
If you are alone, don't worry! Many walkers turn up by themselves and it's a great way to meet new people and make new friends.
The walks will mostly be on a Sundays - with some shorter after work walks in the summer - at a leisurely pace suitable for those who are comfortable and physically fit to complete walks from approx. 4 to 12 miles (6.5 -19 km).
Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join, including dogs and well-behaved dog owners, but please check before bringing your dog, in case some walks might not be suitable.
This is a non-smoking group. All members must provide a recognisable picture of your face, without long distance pictures. This is so that we can look out for you and welcome you at any events you attend, otherwise your request to joining may be declined.
Please note (as with most groups) there will be a modest charge of £2 per person per walk to cover the subscription costs of the site and other expenses associated with running the group. There may also be additional charges depending upon the activity.
T&Cs:
By joining Winchester Social Walks Meetup Group and participate in events, you confirm to have read and accepted the following terms:
- Winchester Social Walks Meetup Group does not provide liability insurance for the protection of individuals who may participate in any of the events planned by the Organizer or Assistant Organizers.
This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability. The walk leader or anyone else associated with the walks/trips can't accept responsibility for loss or injury to any members, their guests, dogs or damage to property or possessions, parked cars or the contents thereof. Basically, you agree to walk at your own risk.
2. The organisers reserve the right to remove anyone from the group who is pestering other members or using threatening or abusive language.
3. It is advisable not to put your personal information such as mobile numbers in comments.
4. To ensure that you get the latest news about events and messages, you are advised to turn on your email notification. This can be managed through your profile. We
don't hold your personal email address unless you give it to us.
5. The organizers ask members to only sign up for events which they are committed to and to cancel asap if they are no longer able to attend.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to join this group and participate in events, you agree to the below disclaimer:
Hiking, hill walking and essentially all outdoor activities can be risky - there is a risk of personal injury and event death. All participants must be aware of the risks and accept the risks - participants are responsible for their own safety and actions. I, the organizer, am not responsible or liable in any way.
I am not a qualified hike leader nor a first aider, this group is my hobby. All participants agree not to hold me responsible or liable for any injury (or death), damage or losses incurred either directly or indirectly from their participation in group events.
Participants must conduct themselves in a manner that does not endanger themselves or the group.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Ilaria
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Shawford to St Cross Hospital CircularSO21 2AA, Winchester£2.00
(One of the favourite walks for many in our group. 😊)
A varied circle walk (12km/7.5mi) from Shawford train station to St. Cross Hospital via Oliver's Battery. We'll start with a short, but steep climb of Shawford Downs and we will continue along farm field paths, woodland tracks, and waterside trails. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you make your way along including deer and birds.A bit of history:
St. Cross Hospital: founded just 65 years after the Norman invasion, The Hospital of St Cross was created by a young French monk and nobleman, Henri De Blois, Bishop of Winchester, who was the grandson of William the Conqueror.
Its mission was to provide accommodation for 13 poor men who were too ill to work. In addition, it was to provide food for 100 men at the gates each day.
The Hospital (the word denotes hospitality) also served as a waystation for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury or Southampton. One of the ways in which the Hospital met its mandate was to provide a "Wayfarer's Dole" (bread and ale) to travellers. The Wayfarer's Dole is still given to all who request it at the Porters Gate.The name Oliver's Battery refers to a prominent Iron Age Iearthwork. A fine Anglo-Saxon bowl from a burial within the Batterywas on show for many years at the British Museum, but has now been returned to Winchester City Museum on long-term loan. The Olivers Battery name dates back to the English Civil War and is specifically associated with Olivery Cromwell's siege of Winchester in 1645. A map of 1780 refers to the area as "Cromwell's Camp" and later maps show it as "Oliver Cromwell's Battery".
Shawford is notable for having the longest railway viaduct in Hampshire, known as Hockley Railway Viaduct, which is over 2,000 feet long and 40 feet high.
Please bring a packed lunch/snacks for our stops a long the way.
At the end of the walk for those who wish, we can stop at Platform one Coffehouse for a drink/cake.There will be a small charge of £2.00 (cash) per head per person for this walk on the day.
Meet outside Platform One Coffeehouse SO21 2AA at 09:15, ready to leave at 09:30.
what3words: ///zebra.gender.greenTerrain: Mix of hiking path, arm field paths, woodland tracks, and waterside trailsroad, with some part of the path which can be muddy. Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for this walk.
Parking: Free at Shawford station, SO21 2AA
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leads at all times.
Note: Please note walks maybe cancelled due to poor weather, please check before leaving.
Please go to the the 'About' section to remember the full disclaimer and T&Cs.
By clicking 'attend' and becoming an attendee, you agree to the conditions found here.Hope to see you there.
- Hamble Ramble Circular WalkRailway station car park, SO31 8AA
A relatevely flat circular walk (10km/6 mile) from Burseldon to Hamble-Le-Rice.
We will start from Burseldon car park where we will walk through Bursledon village. The village has close ties to the sea. The Elephant Boatyard located in Old Bursledon dates back centuries and is where Henry VIII's fleet was built. Submerged remnants of the fleet can be found in the River Hamble. The village, particularly the Jolly Sailor pub and the Elephant Boatyard, were used as the primary filming venue for the 1980s BBCTV soap opera Howards' Way.At Hamble-le-rice we will stop for some refreshments. Plenty of choices for a light lunch/ice cream and/or drinks.
After that we will board the Pink Ferry, which will take us across to Warsash (Single Fare £2.50 cash only).
There has been a ferry service acreoss the mouth of the Hamble River for many centuries. The earliest date traced locally suggests it started around 1493. A maximum of 12 passengers are carried across the quarter mile by bright pink boats.
Once we've disembarked, we will follow the river bank through the tidal marshes towards Burseldon.The walk itself should take between 2:00 hours plus extra time for short breaks.
Meet at 9:45 at the Bursledon car park. Ready to leave at 10:00.
Parking: whats3words ///hello.donor.studio SO31 8AA (free car park)Please consider car sharing. It's good for the environment and more chances to find a parking space.
**As usual there will be a small charge of £2.00 (cash) per person for this walk on the day.**
Note: Please note walks maybe cancelled due to poor weather, so please check before leaving.
Terrain: Mostly flat, but some uneven paths and a steep climb at the beginning of the walk.
Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for this walk.Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are allowed but must be kept on leads at all times.
Please go to the the 'About' section to remember the full disclaimer and T&Cs.
By clicking 'attend' and becoming an attendee, you agree to the conditions found here.Hope to see you there.
- 🌿 Evening Stroll with Nick – Badger Farm & Oliver's Battery CircularIvy Close, Winchester
Some of you might remember that this group used to be called Walk Before You Climb and was originally led by Nick. Well, good news — Nick is back in town for a few days! It would be lovely to see some familiar faces and welcome new ones as we take a relaxed evening walk and catch up.
We'll start our circular walk from Whiteshute Ridge, heading across the bridge over Badger Farm Road and into the scenic countryside around Oliver’s Battery. This is a gentle, sociable walk with just one short uphill section — the rest is mostly flat or downhill.Whether you’ve walked with us before or are brand new, we’d love for you to come along, stretch your legs, and say hello. Let’s make the most of the evening light and good company!
Please allow 1.5–2 hours for this walk, which is approx. 4 miles
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are allowed but must be kept on leads at all times.
Footwear: Walking boots recommended — it can get muddy after rain!Meeting Point: Ivy Close, SO22 4QR — by the steps up to the ridge.
Meet at 18:15, ready to leave at 18:30.
There is a small grass area where a few cars can park, but as Ivy Close is a dead end in a residential area, please park considerately. Nearby streets like Ashbarn Crescent may offer additional parking options.Note: Please note walks maybe cancelled due to poor weather, please check before leaving.
Please go to the the 'About' section to remember the full disclaimer and T&Cs.
By clicking 'attend' and becoming an attendee, you agree to the conditions found here.Hope to see you there.
- Hambledon Circular - vinyards and donkeys.PO7 4RW, Waterlooville£2.00
We will explore the peaceful surroundings of Hambledon, a rural village surrounded by fields and woods. This village is best known as the 'Cradle of Cricket', and it is thought that Hambledon Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs known, was formed about 1750.
And also known for the Hambledon Vineyard, the UK's oldest commercial vineyard, nestled within the gentle slopes of the South Downs National Park. Established in 1952.This circular walk should take us about 2.5 hours (plus extra time for short breaks), covering around 6.5 miles (10.5 km).
Meet at 09:45 outside the Vine in Pub (PO7 4RW). Ready to leave at 10:00.
There will be a small charge of £2.00 per head per person for this walk on the day. Please bring a drink/snack for our stops a long the way. At the end of the walk for those who wish, there is a choice of a tea room or a pub.
Terrain: Some gentle ups and downs at the beginning, with some part of the path which can be muddy. Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for this walk.
Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are allowed but must be kept on leads at all times.
Parking: Free in the main street West Street (PO7 4RW)
Note: Please note walks maybe cancelled due to poor weather, please check before leaving.
Please go to the the 'About' section to remember the full disclaimer and T&Cs.
By clicking 'attend' and becoming an attendee, you agree to the conditions found here.Hope to see you there.