ST GILES HILL, WINCHESTER COLLEGE, WOLVESEY CASTLE, ST CROSS AND HOCKLEY VIADUCT

A circular walk from St Catherine's Park and Ride (parking free). After following the former Itchen Navigation into Winchster the first stop will be St Giles Hill 10.45 then down via the Cathedral to Winchester College (11.15) for a visit as part of the National Garden Scheme (entry £10). The gardens include the main quad with herb garden; herbaceous borders and splendid climbing hydrangea; War Cloister designed by Herbert Baker; Bethesda a soft cottage style garden; Meads a stunning walled cricket ground surrounded by magnificent plane trees; and the Warden’s Garden with Regency border, chalk stream and wilder woodland area. Light refreshments in the Warden's Garden. Refreshments in aid of Winchester College. Then leave at 13.00 walk to visit Wolvesey Castle (entry free). 13.45 leave to walk to The Medieval Hospital of St Cross (entry £5) nestling in water meadows beside the River Itchen which is one of England's oldest almshouses. The tranquil, walled Master's Garden, created in the late C17 by Bishop Compton, now contains colourful herbaceous borders, old-fashioned roses, interesting trees and a large fish pond. The plant beds in the Compton Garden were repositioned and replanted in 2023. Light refreshments in the Hundred Men's Hall in the Outer Quadrangle. Refreshments in aid of The Hospital of St Cross. Then at 15.00 leave to follow the Itchen to walk along the hockley Viaduct at 15.30. Then clambering around Twyford Down with fine views of St Catherine's Hill it is back to the cars at 16.15.