Northam to Mansbridge

“I can’t believe I am spending my hard-earned holiday in bloody Southampton,” my Beloved grinned happily as we walked hand-in-hand in the summer sunshine. Years ago, he had come to school in Winchester, and we were taking the meandering river walk from Southampton to Winchester.

We walked along the Itchen Navigation Heritage trail across ancient locks and bridges, along the towpaths and green meadows, bees buzzing and River Itchen murmuring soothingly.  We stopped at the lock, where some of the surviving brickwork was 300 years old. What was unusual about this lock is its ancient architecture – bricks and stones were used only to hold the gates in place and were not used to build the lock chamber walls, which were probably built with chalk.  Though in ruins now, this lock was once a very busy ‘road’ for transporting coal, timber and wool between Southampton and Winchester before the railways arrived. It’s just a very beautiful and peaceful place for spending a blissful afternoon in.

If you want to spend an afternoon like us (easy walk), park at The White Swan pub in Bitterne and walk along the river until you pick up the trail. Come, walk the path and feel our happiness ❤

For more information about the Itchen Navigation Heritage trail, click here