Best walks near Southampton Central by train
Hampshire · South East England
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Fishbourne Station Circular via Chichester Harbour (Sussex)
1h from Southampton Central, with one change.
Easy: 11km, flat terrain. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just follow the coast and come back along a straight walk. It’s almost too simple! Flat, short and plenty of choices for lunch.
Chichester Harbour is a little-known National Landscape. Its protected saltmarsh landscape feeds an abundance of birdlife. It’s a major recreational harbour but somehow has a romantically melancholy and isolated air — you can imagine sea shanties being composed here.
Highlights: Chichester Harbour, Bosham, and Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens.
Lunch stops in Bosham (1h30–2h30 in): the Anchor Bleu, Timberley's, the Berkeley Arms, or Marwick's.
End-of-walk rewards: the Bull's Head Pub, or the Woolpack Inn.
Netley Station to Botley Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Southampton Central.
18km. Gentle ascents. 5h–8h.
Coastal country park, stony beach, light woodland, mudflats, riverside causeway with marinas, open farmland, and village lanes. Check tide timings.
Lunch stops: the Harpers Steakhouse (2h30–4h30 in), Little Canton (3h–5h in), or the Jolly Sailor (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: Manor Farm Café, the Dolphin, the Brewery Bar, or the Railway.
Salisbury Station Circular via Old Sarum (Wiltshire)
30m direct from Southampton Central.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Have lunch a café or pub next to the river. Return from Stonehenge to Salisbury by bus (very frequent & reliable but check times).
Highlights: Old Sarum Ruins and Stonehenge.
Lunch stop: the Bridge Inn (2h30–4h30 in; excellent).
Mortimer Station to Bramley Station (Berkshire)
45m from Southampton Central, with one change.
Easy: 12km, gentle ascents. 3h30–5h30.
An essential walk! Little known but quietly wonderful. Beautiful rather than spectacular, in a humble English village pathways sort of manner. Mostly secluded.
Highlights: Remnants of Calleva Atrebatum (includes ruins ofthe original walls, and a large amphitheatre where gladiatorial combats entertained up to 7,000 people at a time) and St Mary the Virgin Church (on the site of a Roman temple).
Lunch stop: the Calleva Arms (1h30–3h in; excellent).
End-of-walk reward: the Bramley Inn.
Lymington Town Station to Brockenhurst Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Southampton Central.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Can be EXTREME mud in Lymington Reeds Beds Nature Reserve.
Lunch stop: the Fleur de Lys (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Snakecatcher Pub, or the Huntsman.
Romsey Station to Mottisfont & Dunbridge Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Southampton Central.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Mottisfont & Dunbridge Station to Dean Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Southampton Central.
Easy: 8km, moderate ascents. 2h.
Picturesque. Riverside path with fields and flat and easy-going.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Mottisfont & Dunbridge Station to Andover Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Southampton Central.
Tough: 27km. Moderate ascents. 7h.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Tisbury Station to Salisbury Station (Wiltshire)
30m direct from Southampton Central.
Tough: 25km. Moderate ascents. 6h30.
Beautiful; picturesque. Riverside path and flat and easy-going.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Warminster Station to Bath Spa Station (Wiltshire)
1h direct from Southampton Central.
Tough: 29km. Moderate ascents. 7h.
Long views. Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Dilton Marsh Station to Warminster Station (Wiltshire)
1h direct from Southampton Central.
Tough: steep ascents. 8km. 3h30.
Long views. Hill and moorland paths with woodland and with moderate climbs.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Dilton Marsh Station to Avoncliff Station (Wiltshire)
1h direct from Southampton Central.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h.
Wonderful; spectacular. Canal towpath with woodland, fields, and with moderate climbs. Sections can be overgrown.