THE Winchester district is a beautiful area to walk – especially when the sun is shining. 
With spring just around the corner, here is a list of the best places to visit. 
Make sure to stay local during lockdown, and keep the others in mind for when the restrictions are lifted.

1. Winchester Cathedral – nearest car park: Colebrook St, SO23 3SD
Starting off with the most obvious one. 
The cathedral is a fantastic day out, whether it is your first or 101st visit. 
Take a stroll through the grounds and head from The Close towards P and G Wells on College Street.
From there you can continue towards the Water Meadows and the River Itchen. 
Hampshire Chronicle: Alan Titchmarsh to boost Winchester Cathedral charity

2. Hinton Ampner – parking on site, although limited spaces
Take a stroll around the grounds of this elegant country house near Alresford
The Grade 2 listed building is now owned by the National Trust. 
It has beautiful gardens for you to explore.
All visitors including members must book.
Hampshire Chronicle: The National Trust property is facing a repair bill of anywhere up to half a million pounds.

3. St Catherine's Hill – small car park on site or nearest car park: Garnier Road, SO23 9PA
Fancy a beautiful view?
The hill stands 70m above the river valley with 100 plus steps on the north and south sides. 
There is a flatter route via the surfaced footpath parallel to the Itchen Navigation. 
There are worn grass paths that criss-cross the hill, valley and ridge. 
Hampshire Chronicle: Water meadows from St Catherine's Hill, Winchester, towards Winchester College and Christ Church.

4. Cheesefoot Head – parking on site at SO21 1HW, limited spaces
Park on the hill near Winchester and have a wander along this picture-postcard route. 
Head over to the Matterley Estate (roughly 2.5 miles) and see where some of the district's staple events take place, including Boomtown. 
Be careful of the fast moving traffic on the main road. 
Hampshire Chronicle:

5. St Peter and Paul's Meon Valley Trail from Warnford – parking at SO32 3NU
This walk is entirely signposted.
Start at the church, head on to Old Winchester Hill Iron Age Fort.
From there, keep following the Meon Valley Trail. 
This is one of the most beautiful walks on the list. An escape from the busy city. 
Hampshire Chronicle:
 

6. Avington Park
Avington House is a 16th-century English country house which stands in Avington Park in the Itchen Valley near Winchester.
Stroll the grounds and take some photos of this gem, which often functions as a wedding venue. 

Avington Park is private home and the estate/house itself is closed to the public.  Do not park within the park to reach footpaths. 
Hampshire Chronicle:

7. Wickham Water Meadows – parking on site at: PO17 5DE
Last but not least, how about heading down to the very south of the district? 
These naturally formed water meadows, covering approximately eight acres, form a rare and tranquil oasis in the middle of a town.  
Owned by the Lord of the Manor until the early part of the 20th century, the water meadows were used for cattle grazing.