Gay Outdoor Club: Solent Walks 2008

Contact details for Solent Group

Generally the group walks on the third Sunday of each month, but this may vary for example where joint walks are arranged with other GOC groups.


Sunday 20 January. A walk between Oakley and Deane. The walk starts from Beach Park in Oakley on the B3400 (Basingstoke to Andover). Lunch at the Deane Gate pub in Deane. Length: approx 7miles.

Sunday 17 February. Walk of 9 miles from Exton to Beauworth on the South Downs Way (pub stop at the Milbury's) and back again via the Wayfarers and Monarchs Ways. Start at Exton. Parking is not easy in this popular village. Car share if possible and park at the small car park almost opposite Manor Farm just off the second lefthand turn-off to Exton going north on the A32. There are also some spaces in the village on the road.

Sunday 30 March. N.B. Change of date. Walk along the Itchen Way from Eastleigh to Winchester. We will follow the Itchen River, walking past St Cross Hospital and Winchester Cathedral. Meet at Eastleigh Station. Car parking at the station is free to rail users on Sundays. Lunch at The Bridge at Shawford. Return to Eastleigh from Winchester by train (£3.20) or from Shawford if people want a shorter walk. Parts of this walk may be muddy. Distance 9 miles.

Sunday 20 April. This Hampshire walk will commence from the car park at Cheeseford Head, on the A272 Winchester to Petersfield Road. Please meet at the car-park. Please note parking is restricted and car sharing is advisable. The walk will take in woodland (hopefully, the Bluebells will be in full-swing!), open farmland and a lovely section of the River Itchen. The walk is about 7-9miles, with lunch organised at the Titchbourne Arms in Titchbourne.

Sunday 18 May. Joint walk (with Sussex) around Pagham Harbour. Meet in Pagham Road opposite Village Hall car park (4 miles south of A27 at Chichester - a small dog leg road from Bognor roundabout). When you arrive at Pagham, drive past the Bear Inn, the Lamb Inn and the United Reformed Church, and Village Hall is next on left. Lunch stop at the busy Anchor Inn at Sidlesham and at the end coffee/tea and cakes.

Friday 20 - Monday 23 June. Isle of Wight weekend. Joint with Surrey and Sussex

Saturday 21 June. A 7 1/2 mile circular walk in the south of the island commencing at Niton and climbing the hills to the north of the town, including St.Catherine's Hill and a visit to the Oratory there, and returning via Blackgang and St.Catherine's Point. Meet at Church St. bus stop, Niton. Walk finishes at Rectory Road bus stop. Bring packed lunch.

Sunday 22 June. An 8 3/4 mile linear walk from Ryde to Newport, commencing westwards along the coastal path, visiting Quarr Abbey, Fishbourne, Wootton Bridge and the Steam Railway along the route, and returning by bus from Newport. Start at the Dorset Hotel, 31 Dover Street, Ryde. Picnic lunch at Wootton Common or pub lunch at The Cedars, 2 Station Rd., Wootton Bridge (located at the Common).

Monday 23 June. A visit to Carisbrooke Castle or a trip on the Steam Railway.

Sunday 20 July. The walk starts on the far western end of the beach at Hillhead. Park close to the Public Toilets and the beach bungalows. We walk for a mile or so in a westerly direction along the beach/low cliffs before heading inland towards Titchfield. This is a delightful village with a central square and two old pubs. We can stop for lunch at the Queens Head. For those who wish, there is an optional 2 mile excursion to Titchfield Abbey (free) where one can munch sandwiches in the Abbey grounds. Returning to Titchfield (and picking up any members who had a lazy lunch), we then follow the stream (formerly a canal -since Titchfield was once a port!) which skirts the
Titchfield Haven nature reserve as we head back to the beach and our cars. Total distance approx 7 miles (+ 2 miles optional).

Sunday 17 August. It will start at Brading Railway Station. For those coming from the
mainland it will be best to catch the catamaran from Portsmouth Harbour station. This connects with the train from Ryde Pier Head Station to Brading. The walk will be circular, about 9 miles, lunch being available at The Culver Haven Inn which is on top of Culver Down. The route will be mainly on the eastern section of the I.O.W. Coastal Path. The co-ordinator can offer basic accommodation in Cowes for members wishing to make a weekend of it.

Sunday 21 September. A walk in the Meon Valley north of Fareham. Meet at West Lodge Car Park, Hundred Acres about two miles east of Wickham, access via the A333, (£1 for all-day parking). We start in the old Forest of Bere and walk to Shedfield for lunch at the Wheatsheaf Inn. Back via Wickham for tea and cake. Distance 9 miles.

Sunday 19 October. A walk in the countryside north west of the New Forest. Start at Ashley Walk car park off the B3078 to Fordingbridge. Heading towards Fordingbridge from the M27 after about 5 miles the road bends sharply to the left at Deadman Hill. Ashley Walk is the next car park on the left. Lunch stop at The Horse and Groom in Woodgreen. Distance 8 miles.

Sunday 16 November.

Sunday 21 December. No walk.


For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.