Best walks near Winchester by train
Hampshire · South East England | Walks by foot
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.
Guildford Station Circular via Watt’s Chapel (Surrey)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: No coast or river to follow, but pretty straightforward long lines nonetheless, and Watt’s Chapel provides a lovely reward for reaching the midpoint of the circuit. The lunch stop is a simple café in the vicinity of Watt’s Chapel, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Watts Chapel, Watts Gallery, St Catherine's Chapel Ruins, and Guildford.
Lunch stop: Watts Gallery café (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Withies Inn, Ye Olde Ship Inn, the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Pangbourne Station to Goring & Streatley Station (Berkshire)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
Easy: 8km, gentle ascents. 2h30–4h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the River Thames on your left and follow it up to Goring.
Lunch: A walk so short that you don’t need lunch — just eat at one of the many options in Goring & Streatley.
End-of-walk rewards: the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club, Pierreponts, the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Goring & Streatley (it’s fine to disembark at Pangbourne, because Pangbourne is en route to Goring & Streatley) (that’s assuming you’re coming from the east or south (aka London/Reading) — if you’re coming from the north or west you need to buy return ticket to Pangbourne instead).
Farnham Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
1h from Winchester, with one change.
Tough: 22km. Moderate ascents. 6h–10h.
A rambler favourite! River valley, forest tracks, sandy bridleways, open parkland, country houses, and wooded valleys. Can be muddy.
Lunch stop: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cyder House Inn, the Rose and Crown, the Richmond Arms, the Fox & Finch, or the Star.
Netley Station to Botley Station (Hampshire)
15m direct from Winchester.
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.
Gomshall Station to Guildford Station (Surrey)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h–7h.
Fields, wooded valley, pine woods, heathland common, stud farms, and canal and riverside path into a historic town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Shere and Guildford.
Lunch stops in Shere (30m–1h in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), Hillys Tea Shop, or the William Bray. Other lunch stop: the William IV (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Pangbourne Station Circular via Cold Harbour (Berkshire)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
Easy: 10km, moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
River Thames valley, wooded hillsides, chalk nature reserve, open fields, quiet lanes, and pretty villages. Can be muddy.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk rewards: the Greyhound, the Ferry Boat, or the Swan.
Wanborough Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
1h from Winchester, with one change.
12km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Open fields, North Downs ridge, vineyard, golf course, mixed woodland, riverside path along the River Wey, and historic market town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Guildford.
Lunch stops: the Tea Shop (1h30–2h in), or the Withies Inn (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Star, the Fox & Finch, or the Richmond Arms.
Mortimer Station to Bramley Station (Berkshire)
30m from Winchester, 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.
Salisbury Station Circular via Old Sarum (Wiltshire)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
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).
Goring & Streatley Station to Pangbourne Station (Oxfordshire)
45m from Winchester, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km. 3h30–6h.
A rambler favourite! Woods, hilly, river, and quaint village. Relatively busy.
Lunch stops in Streatley (2h–3h in): Pierreponts, or the Swan at Streatley and the Coppa Club. Other lunch stop: the Bull (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Miller of Mansfield, or the Catherine Wheel.
Lymington Town Station to Brockenhurst Station (Hampshire)
30m direct from Winchester.
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.
Clapham Junction Station to Wandsworth Town Station (Surrey)
1h direct from Winchester.
Easy: 1km, moderate ascents. 30m.