St Swithun's Way
The St Swithun's Pilgrim Trail is a 34 miles long distance walk from Winchester to Farnham along countryside paths taking in pretty unspolit villages
St Swithun’s Way runs between Winchester, the capital of Saxon England, and historic Farnham. St Swithun’s Way follows some of Hampshire’s best countryside paths.
Starting at Winchester Cathedral, the route weaves its way east through the picturesque Itchen Valley, taking in several pretty and unspoiled Hampshire Villages.
Visit numerous churches with pilgrimage connections and take a well earned rest in welcoming country pubs. Continuing northeast towards Farnham, it passes the attractive market towns of Alresford and Alton, as well as Chawton, the home of Jane Austen.
Take a ride on the Watercress Line, Hampshire’s steam railway which runs through this section of countryside. The route reaches Farnham, and continues to Canterbury as the North Downs Way national trail.
Opened in 2002, the St Swithun’s Way is one of Hampshire County Council’s Golden Jubilee Projects.
For more information on the history of the trail visit Hampshire County Council’s website.
You can obtain a walker’s pack detailing all of the route, local features and history, tourist information and watering holes to ease the journey, price £3.99 from Hampshire County Council Information Centres, or call 01962 870500 to find the nearest stockist.
