This ‘near Winchester’ list is in anticipation of ‘stay at home’ being relaxed
A year ago, asked where I most wanted to go, on a whim, I’d have pondered a flight to somewhere exotic! How little I knew… These days, exotic is leaving the village… Even Winchester is too far away! I’m so excited that I don’t even know where I want to go first, but it will involve cake, coffee and wine and carefully seeing friends and family!
This little pocket of Hampshire has excellent choices for most every whim, with some wandering added in too! I’ve listed off my favourites with related walks as well as some new places I can’t wait to try!
Cake & coffee near Winchester
Weekend activities often revolve around finding cake and coffee, and a toddler friendly walk. I don’t remember the last time I sat in a coffee shop, I prefer those that open their doors onto the great outdoors and thankfully they’re not in short supply!
The Shed in Twyford I have eyed up on Instagram for all of lockdown. Thankfully a second popped up in Abbots Worthy recently which is a cycle away. Perfect for cake and flowers. Take a walk along the river towards Avington Park through Easton and Martyr Worthy, there’s even a rope swing en route. We park on Easton Lane or over near Avington Park. The Avington Park summer afternoon teas are excellent and the grounds of the house are spectacular. You could walk into Winchester from here too.
The Yard is a dreamy place and we’ve missed it dearly. Excellent coffee and cake, and fantastic grassland to relax in. Pre-booking is essential now if you arrive by car, no need if you’re on bike or foot. The Yard sells OS maps which give you plenty of ideas for walks. On a summers day elevenses here and a walk to The Purefoy for lunch and back would be pretty perfect. The Candover Valley is beautiful. We often drive our coffee and cake to Micheldever Woods or The Grange for a walk.
Kudos coffee in Stockbridge opened just before lockdown and I can’t wait to go back, their vegan hot chocolate in particular is divine! The water meadows to the south of Stockbridge are lovely for a stroll, easily accessed along the stream by the coffee shop. The common itself often has cattle grazing and there are sweet bridges and paddle points to entertain toddlers. We also enjoy watching the trout on the bridges along the high street.
The Handlebar café we’ve not yet visited but it’s on a favourite Winchester water meadow walk that I miss dearly. Park for free on Five Bridges Road and walk the full loop along the river path to the café and then back through the meadows on the other side of the river to the car. All the gates are buggy friendly and it is lovely and flat. Burn a few more calories and dash up to the top of St Catherine’s Hill to enjoy the Winchester views too! The Queen Inn is also a good stopping off point!
In Winchester itself, the newest opening is Inn the Park, brand new and it looks lovely, linked to the Chesil Rectory it’s from good stock! It serves coffee and cake and even has a wine room as well as being in a park with plenty of outdoor space. It would make a great stopping off point on the water meadow walk if you walk all the way up the river into town!
Local knowledge finds you coffee even in the sticks. For Chilbolton Cow Common there are now two coffee choices. On the Stockbridge Road, Winchester Auto Barn has a coffee van (also handy for a Crawley walk, or a trip to the playground/stream at Sutton Scotney) and Chilbolton village store also do great coffee. My favourite place to go with the little one is cow common – for the paddling and play area. The walks across the common over to Wherwell are very enjoyable too.
Another new opening is Party at the Mill in Alresford which arrived just before Christmas. It’ll be my first stop for coffee next time I can go to Alresford. Armed with coffee, the Millenium Walk is lovely and the duck feeding can’t be beaten. We often park near Abbotstone in the summer and walk into town which is pleasant on a sunny day as the paths take you past watercress beds and vineyards.
The Coffee Can van in Hursley I’ve driven past a few times and not yet stopped. But we often go for walks in Farley Mount country park and I’m fairly certain it must be the closest place to grab a coffee. There’s also an excellent little play area in Hursley and hence it’s a particularly well located little van! Or if you’re early for the 10am Hillier gardens opening time grab a coffee to enjoy in the car!
The Long Barn in Alresford is a long time favourite. I wasn’t sure to put it on the cafe or pub list because the food served for lunch is so good. Anywhere that sells all sorts of magical things for home, garden and presents and has a divine cafe terrace overlooking lavender gets my vote!
Pub gardens near Winchester
I can’t wait for pub gardens to reopen. Nothing says lazy summer weekend like a pub lunch or a pub walk. Many pubs have stayed open for takeaway food through lockdown which has kept us rural folk happy and well fed!
I adore our local pub, the Half Moon and Spread Eagle and their take away hot chocolates and suppers have kept us going this winter. We cycle down to see Auntie Paula for hot chocolate most weekends. Wine and food in the garden will be even better! Micheldever Village has footpaths pretty much right round it and there are plenty of cows, sheep and tractors. For anyone particularly energetic, it’s an easy walk across the fields to Micheldever Woods, or a cycle up to Blackwood Forest.
The Northbrook Arms we can’t wait to reopen and it’s coming with new accommodation too which will be great for having friends visit. I love walking across the fields – up the Coffin Walk as it is so nicely named – and sitting on the green with a glass of wine and an ice cream before strolling home for our tea. I hope the pizza menu comes back too. Most summers there is an excellent village fete on the green too. We also like the longer walk to or from the Northbrook via Dodsley Wood which is always free from people and links into Micheldever Woods!
The Wonston Arms is amazing, especially now the pub garden that has always been a beach has little wooden huts that offer neat and unique seating and shelter from rain and wind. There is often take away food options through the summer, we’ve had excellent Thai for lunch and tea! The walk or cycle through Stoke Charity and Hunton is quite beautiful and for a longer walk it’s possible to link up to the Alresford Drove and get over to Bazeley Copse.
A little drive away with excellent garden dining and space we have some other favourites too.
The Woolpack has a kids climbing frame and play area. This was actually the first pub we ate at before we moved here! Plenty of walking near the pub and The Grange is only a mile or two away.
The Shoe in Exton has the cutest little stream at the end of the garden. We’ve walked and cycled this area for years, it’s hilly but lovely views! To get some miles in park at Cheesefoot Head. Alternatively the Winchester science/space museum is nearby.
The Ship Inn over in Owslebury also has a big garden and play area. Friends live here and it’s a lovely village with a gorgeous walk and yet more good cycling on the South Downs.
The Purefoy Arms food is absolutely divine and is very family friendly with a great garden. Lasham airfield isn’t far away and we keep meaning to go and plane spot. 737s often fly past the end of our garden at 1000ft on their approach into it!
Kimbridge Barn I adore for the food, service and the fact that it has a trampoline in the garden as well as a little shop in reception. Ideal for a visit to nearby Mottisfont and lunch or supper here afterwards.
The Peat Spade food is dreamy, especially in the winter with the fire roaring! Make a day of it and walk over to the Longstock Waitrose estate for cake and coffee.
The Bush in Ovington is an absolute favourite for garden dining. I’m looking forward exploring the paths in the garden and along the river with a toddler! Raimes winery isn’t far away either to book a tasting session!
The Boot in Houghton has oodles of space in the front and back gardens and lovely views along the river. We enjoy walking across the common into Stockbridge from here.
The Bat and Ball over near Hambledon has a dreamy garden at the back of the pub with unbroken views across the South Downs. We found it years ago when we just got in the car and drove aimlessly, looking for somewhere nice for lunch! A great find!
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Hopefully some good ideas near Winchester to keep us outside, fed, watered and exercised. If you want more details on the walks I’ve mentioned, please get in touch! And if I’ve missed somewhere in or around Winchester then let me know!
Fab article. Just incase people are looking for it on the map the road to park on near the viaduct is 5 bridges road and near there is the fab queen inn who have a lovely beer garden as do the bishop in the bridge or the black boy both near the river town end.
Author
Good spot, I never remember the road name correctly. I love all those pubs, have started the walk at the Queen Inn before
Brilliant article, thank you! Just moved back to Winchester with a toddler and baby on the way & it’s great to read about a few new places to head out to 🙂
Also, if you’re on the Twyford side of town it can be nice to pick up a (very good) coffee at Bean Below – next to Twyford Post office – and do the short walk up to Hunters Park where there is a good playground and plenty of sunny, open green space to run around in. (They do great food/brunches too if heading there after a good early morning play).
Author
Thank you! There’s so much and lots of new stuff too, I should update it! Good call on twyford, great parks. And the coffee pod in colden common too! Enjoy!