Compton Lock
On this walk, children will enjoy wild swimming at Compton Lock, a picnic beside the water and the wildlife in and beside The Itchen Navigation.
Although the official signage advises against swimming, Compton Lock remains a popular swimming spot
The Basics
Time: 50 minutes
Distance: 2.8 km
Terrain: Riverside paths, meadows and roads
Pushchair: No, the riverside paths are narrow and uneven where they have been eroded
Dogs: Yes, with spots where they can swim
Refreshments: A picnic by the lock, The Bridge Pub in Shawford or Platform One Coffee House and Gelato at Shawford station
Toilets: At the train station
Public Transport: This walk starts beside Shawford train station
Parking: On roads around Shawford Station (W3W: rods/drove/critic - Postcode: SO21 2BN)j
The clear waters of the River Itchen
Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Winchester you can walk beside the idyllic Itchen Navigation and even take a dip at a popular wild swimming spot. There is a pub and a coffee shop at the start of the walk as well as meadows and a historic church.
The Route
Follow the road from the station down to the bridge over the river. Take the left hand path on the other side of the bridge and follow this with the river on your left.
It is about a ten minute walk to Compton Lock. The path is flat, but is eroded and uneven in places. The disused lock forms a perfect swimming pool. There are steps down to the water, but be warned that this is deep water in parts with a strong current and is only suitable for strong swimmers, not young paddlers. Competent swimmers can lie on their backs, float on the current and exit the water further down. There is a grassy area perfect for drying off and picnicking. The whole area can get busy during hot weather, so avoid peak times if you want a peaceful walk!
Opposite the lock is a gate. Go through the gate, over the little bridge and fork immediately left, taking a diagonal path across the meadow. Look out for cows that sometimes graze in the meadow. Walk over railway sleepers embedded into the ground.
You will shortly come to a little bridge and another gate. Walk along the edge of a field with a fence to your right and some boxed in trees to your left. Go through another gate at the end of this section.
Go up the gravelly track and over a bridge beside some houses up towards the road. When you get to the road, turn right down Church Lane leading to the parish church. Turn right when you reach the church. The tarmac will turn to gravel as you approach the river again.
When you reach the river, go over the little footbridge and then go through the metal kissing gate back out into Berry Meadow. Fork immediately left and go over the little concrete footbridge with iron railings, then fork right diagonally across the field towards the gate in the corner.
Turn right at the road and walk along the pavement back to Shawford. You will pass the pub or can go for coffee and gelato at the station.
Did you know?
Twyford Waterworks is a preserved pumping station and waterworks situated about a mile to the east of the village. It is a scheduled monument and now operates as a museum, which you can visit.
