This walk takes us across the meadows of the Itchen Valley Country Park to the Visitors’ Centre. It takes about one hour.
Go down Bassett Green Road, under the railway arch and at the roundabout take the right fork. Go along Mansbridge Road past Stoneham Cemetery. Just past Two Mansbridge Cottages turn left into the car park. On the opposite side of the car park is the start of a footpath. A little after going along a wooden walkway and bridge you will see a notice saying “Itchen Valley Nature Reserve”. Climb over the stile and go to your left through the gap into the next field. About 100 yards half right you will see the wooden rails of a bridge; go over the bridge. Follow the path ahead towards the fence on your right and find the passage into the next field. Proceed eastwards through this long narrow field until you find a stile near the far end. Go over stile and join the Itchen Way. Follow it and go under the M27 beside the River Itchen. A little further on, go over the stile. About a 100 yards ahead you will see a notice. Just past the notice, you will see straight ahead the wooden railing of a bridge about 300 yards away. Do not go straight towards the bridge but reach it by the firm ground on your right, beside the river. Go over the bridge and proceed straight ahead about 300 yards to an isolated marker post. When you reach the post, turn half right. Pass over a bridge of railway sleepers into the next field from where you will see a second marker post straight in front of you. At this post, follow the arrow and walk beside the fence with the Itchen on the other side. Notice quarter right you can see the metal railings of a bridge. When you reach this bridge, go through the wicket gate, over the bridge and along the road to the Visitors’ Centre.
The Visitors’ Centre is open:
1st April to 30th September, 10.30am – 5pm
(closed Mon and Tues in Sept.),
1st October to March 31st, weekend and school holidays only, 10.30am – 4.30pm.