The best traffic-free bike rides around Olivers Battery

The Hockley Viaduct, near Winchester, Hampshire, is a historic railway structure built in the 1880s as part of the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway (DNSR). Spanning the River Itchen and its floodplain, the viaduct is about 1,250 feet (380 metres) long and consists of 33 arches, made mainly of brick with some concrete sections added during later repairs. It carried trains between Winchester and Southampton until the line closed to passengers in 1960 and to freight in 1966. After falling into disrepair, it was restored in 2013 as part of the National Cycle Network (Route 23), linking Winchester with Southampton for cyclists and walkers. Today, the Hockley Viaduct is valued both as a piece of Victorian engineering heritage and as a scenic pedestrian and cycling route, offering fine views across the Itchen Valley and the South Downs.

St Catherine's Hill is a prominent chalk downland hill on the outskirts of Winchester, notable for its layered historical and ecological importance. Now a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed as a nature reserve, its summit is ringed by the impressive earthworks of a univallate Iron Age hillfort dating back over 2,000 years. The top is marked by a distinctive copse of beech trees, known as 'The Clump', which contains the scant ruins of the 12th-century St Catherine's Chapel, while the hillside features a turf-cut labyrinth known as the Miz-Maze; the entire site provides spectacular views over the city, the Itchen Valley, and supports a rich variety of wildflowers and butterflies, including the protected Chalkhill Blue.

The striking bronze statue of King Alfred the Great is one of Winchester's most recognizable landmarks, dominating The Broadway at the eastern end of the High Street near the River Itchen. Sculpted by Sir Hamo Thornycroft, the colossal, 15-foot-tall figure was erected in 1901 to commemorate the millennium of the king's death—a pivotal figure who made Winchester his capital and is credited with being "The Founder of the Kingdom and Nation," as inscribed on its granite base. Depicting a heroic, bearded Alfred in a regal stance with a downward-pointing sword hilt forming a cross, the statue celebrates his dual role as a military champion against the Vikings and an early Christian leader, all while standing proudly in the city he helped define.

The Sword: Alfred is shown grasping a large, cross-hilted sword with the point facing downwards. This posture is symbolic, representing not just his prowess as a warrior who defended his kingdom against the Vikings, but also his role as a Christian leader, with the hilt forming the shape of a cross. The Pedestal: The statue rests on a large pedestal of Cornish granite, which is inscribed with just one word: AELFRED. Historical Portrayal: Thornycroft's depiction is a romanticized, heroic one—showing Alfred with a long, flowing beard—even though contemporary coins suggest the King was clean-shaven. The monument represents the Victorian-era idea of Alfred as a perfect warrior, statesman, and philosopher king.

The statue depicts Alfred the Great (847–899 AD), who was the King of the West Saxons and is traditionally regarded as the first King of the Anglo-Saxons and the founder of the Kingdom of England. Winchester was his capital. Sculptor: Sir Hamo Thornycroft, a highly-regarded Royal Academician. Completion: It was completed in 1901, although it was commissioned to mark the millennium of King Alfred's death (which was in 899 AD). Size: The bronze statue is monumental, standing at 15 feet (4.57 m) high and weighing about five tons. The total height with its granite pedestal is around 40 feet. Location: It stands prominently at the eastern end of The Broadway, near the junction with Bridge Street and Eastgate Street, with the High Street extending behind it toward the city centre.

The Weirs is one of the most picturesque and historically significant areas in Winchester, primarily known for its beautiful riverside walk and its close association with the River Itchen and the city's medieval and Roman past.

a warm welcome from Simone

A very beautiful and interesting path along the river; there's always something to see and it's never boring. Plus, there's usually a fresh breeze, so it's very pleasant even in warmer temperatures.