Romwin one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

I think some of the reviewers have misunderstood the route leaving Romsey. Initially the walk uses pavements to clear the built-up area, an acceptable plan as fulfilling the objective. The route from the outskirts of Romsey requires no major safety flag as it is possible to avoid walking along the main road, The intention is to stay on the pavement on the south side as you cross Halterworth Lane and take the metalled track for 50 yds to go through a gap in the trees just after the speed derestriction sign. This accesses the quiet service road for large scattered housing out of sight but paralleling the main road. Continue beyond the first exit to the main road and take a track through the trees, signed as a footpath on a pole, just before the second exit road. Cross straight over the main road and enter the service road on the opposite side by the red post box. Continue to the right, parallel again to the main road, to reach the end of the Straight Mile.
My OS map then shows the footpath straight across the B road Jermyns Lane and down the left side of Outwood Lodge; this does not exist but go about 50 yds left up the B road and take a beaten track over the the bank and meander for 200 yds through the woods to the back of the Lodge. Here you access a broad woodland ride (see photo 1).
The section of Ampfield wood after Knapp is obviously used by horse riders and all-terrain bikes; after all the horses and bikes - or the riders I assume - can't read the 'Footpath' and 'No horses etc' signs. It was a little muddy on a very hot, dry September day, so will no doubt be a quagmire in places in the winter.
Above Winchester keep right of the Pew Hill Nature Reserve. The path crossing Compton Down alongside the fence deteriorates with brambles blocking progress; however there are several breaks in the hedge to the left which allow access to the field. Walk down the edge of the field until re-joining the much improved path at the corner of the field.
After crossing the Winchester bypass by the footbridge keep to the broad grassy swath until the end of the down; take the slightly smaller path to the right to come out at the footbridge over the railway. If you have inadvertently come out on a road turn right along the road rather than taking the path downhill the far side of the road.

Agree with other comments. I would recommend re-routing the western part to avoid the main-road walking out of Romsey.

For example the route of Romlor Three could be followed out of Romsey to Halterworth Lane along the footpaths. Then north to the A3090 and then east along Crampmoor Lane which is nice and quiet. Then north again to the Straight Mile along the footpath.

If I remember right the Straight Mile is somewhat less painful due to residential roads running parallel with the main road, which can be used to avoid traffic.

Beyond there, I cannot fault this route at all. It is a shame that there isn't a better network of footpaths to the east and south of Romsey, something that impacts upon routes towards Southampton too.

Walked this route in reverse (Romsey to Winchester). Beautiful, flat walk through the water meadows followed by a steady uphill climb out of Winchester. Stunning views. Watch the turning by John Keble Primary School (just after Hursley) - it looks as though you're walking down the school drive, but this is correct. The path turns sharp right just before you go through the school gate. Woods (Little Fur Copse, Hursley Forest) definitely not suitable for bikes. Strongly recommend not walking down the Straight Mile - there are no paths and traffic is very heavy/fast flowing. It might be worth crossing straight over the Straight Mile and following what looks like another track that runs parallel and rejoins the main road just before it turns into Winchester Road. Route along Winchester Road is very urban/boring; the Romsey to Winchester bus runs along this road & you won't miss anything if you pick up the bus into town at this point.

Tea room at St Cross (edge of Winchester water meadows); 2 pubs and a small general provisions shop in Hursley (fruit, chocolate etc).

This route is suitable for walkers only. Aside from a few sections with rough terrain, and some narrow gaps, the footbridge over the mainline railway near St. Cross is the killer.

The first 4km of the route is rather dull, alongside the main road out of Romsey, but the remainder of the journey is really quite pleasant, with forestry tracks, woodland paths, following field boundaries, and finishing alongside the Itchen for the final stage into Winchester. There is a good mid-point stop in Hursley for refreshments (2 pubs).

One navigation note: The footpath that goes from the northern end of the Straight Mile into Ampfield Wood does not join up with the road - there's a house in the way (OS Explorer shows this, Landranger does not). However, there is a well trodden unofficial path (not waymarked) that joins the path to the road, but this emerges on the road about 50m further west than you might expect.

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