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Winchester
A literary walk
Take in the best of the city on this Winchester tour, a four-hour self-guided walk, divided into three loops; or meet a Blue Badge Guide at the Tourist Information Centre (Sat 11am) for a 90-minute guided walking tour of Saxon, medieval and Tudor Winchester.
The literary-minded can see where Jane Austen stayed at 8 College Street. Around the corner at Kingsgate, visit the nearby church, which featured in Anthony Trollope’s novel The Warden. Walk along the River Itchen, through the meadows that inspired John Keats to pen Ode to Autumn (warning: they can be very wet) to the hospital at St Cross (signposted). Having arrived on foot, you are entitled to the “traveller’s dole”: some bread and a small mug of ale. St Cross was the inspiration for Trollope’s series of Barchester novels.
While you’re there, check out the shops and the beautiful Christmas market in the magnificent setting of Winchester Cathedral.
Nearest station: Winchester
Difficulty: 3 miles; easy; waterproof boots for the meadow.
Map: Winchester Walk leaflet from Tourist Information Office, Guildhall, The Broadway (01962 840 500; visitwinchester.co.uk).
Thames Path
Putney to Richmond
Begin this fabulous riverside walk at Putney station. Turn right on exiting, head down the High Street and on to Putney Bridge. Follow the signed Thames Path to Kew along the south bank (about five miles) and continue a further three miles to Richmond.
Passing the London Wetland Centre (charged access is along Queen Elizabeth Walk), continue along the river, passing the former Harrods depository (now flats) and Hammersmith, Barnes, Chiswick and Kew bridges. Arrive at Richmond Riverside, a modern recreation of architectural styles from the 17th to 19th centuries with restaurants and shops.
Other highlights include a glimpse of Kew Palace in the Royal Botanic Gardens (charged access signed at Kew Bridge). Kew decks itself out as a winter wonderland at Christmas with a huge ice rink outside the Temperate House (see page 29 for details). Syon House comes into view on the far bank, possibly accompanied by the sound of the green parakeets that have bred here. On the near bank, passing the site of the King’s Observatory (built for George III in the Old Deer Park), you arrive at Richmond Bridge. From here follow the signs to Richmond station, left off the riverside path.
Nearest stations: Start at Putney Bridge, finish at Richmond (or Kew Bridge for a shorter walk—directions to Kew station are signposted).
Difficulty: 8.5 miles; easy level path; occasionally prone to flooding.
Map: Excellent free map and guide, London’s Rural River Thames, from visitor information centres along the path, including Richmond Information Centre (020 8940 9125), or at vistilondon.com
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