Local Walk Routes

There is lots of research that shows being outdoors is good for your mental health as well as physical health, and we are lucky to be in a very green and leafy part of Southampton.  To help get people out and about and enjoying the green spaces in our local area, we produced a series of local walks.

All the walks start/finish in the SO18 Big Local area – each walk is described in its own leaflet that includes a map of the route, as well as useful information such as whether there are toilets en route, where you can buy refreshments from and which buses run nearby if you wish to only do part of the route.  We have also included an estimate of the length (distance) of the route as well as an indication of terrain and whether it’s suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.

The leaflets are downloadable from this page and there are also several Nature Walks on our Explore Outdoors pages!

Download the walk booklets by clicking on the routes on the map, or from the list below:

HF01 – Harefield to Telegraph Woods – a 4.4km walk over fairly gentle terrain. NB includes kissing gates and steps.

HF02 – Harefield-Thornhill Four Parks Loop – a 6.1km walk (shorter loop possible) over gentle terrain. NB mostly pavements but some uneven surfaces in wooded areas.

TP01 – Riverside-Mansbridge Orchard Loop – a 4.4km walk suitable for all. NB includes some gravelled surfaces.

TP02 – Townhill Park to Hatch Grange – a 4.5km walk that includes some steep hills.  NB includes kissing gates and informal paths across meadows.

TP03 – Townhill Park to Itchen Valley Country Park – a 5.1km walk that is more challenging to navigate.  NB includes open countryside, cattle en-route and water meadows.

TP04 – Marlhill Copse Loop  a shorter walk (2.4km) through Marlhill Copse.

We want you to enjoy your experience walking our routes, so please remember these “Top Tips” when you go for a walk:

• Dress appropriately for the weather. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Some routes take in fields and/or wooded areas so may become muddy in wetter weather. Remember sun cream in the hotter months and take a drink with you.
• Be aware of your limits – our walk leaflets include an estimate of the distance of the route and an indication of the terrain.
• Leave yourself sufficient time to complete the walk before it gets dark – we also recommend letting someone know where you are going, if you are walking alone.
• Please respect the countryside and other people enjoying the outdoors – take litter home with you, leave gates as you find them and keep dogs under effective control.
• Relate the map to the route description before setting out and during each walk. Read several sentences before continuing whilst on walks, as following one sentence at a time can create doubt.
• Take care on all road/rail crossings – there are some busy roads to cross on some of these walks so please be alert.
• Whilst we have made every effort to describe walks and routes accurately, please be aware that paths, routes and conditions may change. Make sure you stick to public rights of way and use common sense in ensuring paths are safe.

These Top Tips are also downloadable here.