The Mayor of Eastleigh,
Derek Pretty was delighted to take on the role of Patron of the Hamble Valley Heritage Guides.
"I think it is very important to offer opportunities to discover the history and hidden corners of the area" says Cllr Pretty
The Borough of Eastleigh, including the Southern Parishes has a rich and varied heritage. From the first mention in the Domesday Book in 1086 until today, fascinating tales are to be told about the places and the people who have lived and worked here. A small clue pointed out, or a careful explanation from a committed guide can lead you on an exploration of stories and fascinating facts that you may only have suspected. Check out the schedule of walks, pick one you like the sound of, and come along. You will be made most welcome.
| Date & Time | Walk |
|---|---|
| 2pm Sunday 28 |
Hamble Rail TrailThe first walk of 2010 season , a circular guided bit more enegetic longer ramble around the Hamble Rail Trail.
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| 2pm Sunday 28 |
Bound around HoundThat`s it, winter is over and spring has now officially sprung!
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| 2pm Sunday 18 |
Beat around Bursledon VillageA spring jaunt around old Bursledon.Hear about jolly sailors, grey ladies and more roaming around the Howards Way village .
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| 2pm Saturday 24 |
Old Hedge EndIn conjunction with the second year of Hedge End St. George`s weekend events, a Saturday walk exploring the older parts of Hedge End village and seeing the surviving buildings .
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| 9:30am Sunday 25 |
Strawberry Trail -Hedge End to HoundAs part of the Hedge End st Georges weekend events, a circular long walk from Hedge End to Hound on mostly off road paths including part of Strawberry Trail. Distance approx 12 miles. Take a picnic lunch .
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| 2pm Saturday 1 |
Stoke Park Woods and blubellsA woodland MAY DAY stroll through Stoke Park Woods and hopefully admire blubells along the way
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| 2pm Sunday 2 |
Bygone BishopstokeEstablished long before the town of Eastleigh, Bishopstoke has a rich history of its own.Why did building a new chcurch split the village? Learn of the drowner Bilious Bale and other characters.
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| 2pm Sunday 9 |
Hamble VillageHow many villages can boast to have had a Priory, a fine Norman church, a castle and played a significant role in aviaition and maritime history .Come on this tour and hear about these things and more.
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| 2pm Sunday 16 |
Eastleigh townHear how Eastleigh began and its transformation to become a major railway town , of people connected with the town and about the old and newer buildings.
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| 2pm Sunday 23 |
Botley Village at one time the home of William Cobbett, author of Rural Rides , who proclaimed the village as delightful--who are we to argue!
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| 2pm Sunday 30 |
Hamble Rail TrailA circular walk as part of the national Countryside 2010 events around the Hamble Rail Trail. Taking in a mixture of scenery ,including a route by a WW1 era railway line and the coastal section of waterfront between Hamble Point and Royal Victoria Country Park .
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| 9am Sunday 6 |
Strawberry TrailAs part of Countryside 2010 walks, a long 15 mile all day circular amble.Exploring countyside by the upper reaches of the Hamble river, through Bursledon to Hamble where stop for picnic lunch.Return alongside Southampton Water via Royal Victoria Country Park at Netley before winding our way back to Botley .
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| 2pm Sunday 13 |
Netley VillageLearn the story of the village between Netley Abbey and Royal Victoria Country Park, including why Queen Victoria got wet feet, spontaneous combustion and hunt the church mouse!
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| 2pm Sunday 20 |
Chandler`s FordDelve into the history of this once small village and find out why a son of Oliver Cromwell brought his wife to celebrate the cherries of Chandler`s Ford
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| 2pm Sunday 27 |
Old BursledonStroll the picturesque lanes of the main "Howards Way" village, an area of deserved special character status as well as a conservation area.
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| 2pm Sunday 4 |
Hidden Paths of HambleA walk away from the village centre exploring some of the less well known paths and places in the waterside parish .
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| 2pm Sunday 11 |
All Around AllbrookA longer stroll around the parish of Allbrook. Hear about local artist Mary Beale, the Itchen Navigation, Rookwood Maternity Hospital and more..
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| 2pm Sunday 18 |
The ruins of Netley AbbeyA short walk but fully loaded with tales of past times at Netley Abbey , now in ruins and conserved with a scheduled ancient monument status, but once a thriving monastic community .
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| 2pm Sunday 25 |
Valley Park area woods and meadowsIn conjunction with Three Rivers Rail Partnership.
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| 2pm Saturday 14 |
Eastleigh Family WalkA walk around Eastleigh town centre , especially aimed to be of interest to families with younger children.
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| 2pm Sunday 29 |
Hamble at WarThe position of Hamble at the mouth of Southampton Water has given it a vital defensive role.On this walk which icludes part of the Southampton Water shoreline and memorials in the churchyard, find out how the area served in wartime activities over the centuries.
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| 2pm Sunday 5 |
Home and AwayJoin a stroll through Eastleigh Rec and go on a world tour. Find out how Eastleigh got its recreation ground and how some of the plants were brought here, from all over the world.
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| 2pm Sunday 12 |
NO WALK11/12 September are the annual Heritage Weekend dates,so go explore some of the many places open to public FOR FREE.
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| 10:30am Sunday 19 |
Itchen Navigation and Stoke Park WoodA longer walk.
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| 2pm Sunday 26 |
Pubs of HambleIn a village with such a long history of seafaring and boatbuilding , it is perhaps not surprising there have been numerous places for supping and socialising.This walk around the village centre will throw light on the history of the various drinking places .
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| 2pm Sunday 3 |
Wandering around WickhamA new walk , in an old place steeped in history.Wickham with its large village square is surely one of the best preserved places in south Hampshire,but unless a villager shopping many people just pass by nowadays without stopping .
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| 2pm Sunday 10 |
Netley Military Hospital CemetaryThe bustling family friendly areas of Royal Victoria Country Park are well known, but tucked away at the east end is the tranquil and evocative cemetery site.
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| 2pm Sunday 17 |
St Nicholas Church , North StonehamThe pretty St Nicholas Church has a long history, with connections to the Darwin family, Admiral Hawke and Guy Fawkes . This conducted tour around the grounds and within the church will explain more about the building and those connected with the parish of North Stoneham.
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| 2pm Sunday 24 |
Cobbett`s BotleyOne time home of William Cobbett,journalist and author of "Rural Rides", who described the village as "delightful".
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| 2pm Sunday 31 |
Haloween WalkA walk at Haloween time, hear a few creepy tales whilst enjoying an autunmal walk
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| 2pm Sunday 7 |
South StonehamA first time walk in conjunction with Three Rivers Rail Partnership. Explore the hidden spaces and places of South Stoneham wiich lie within what is now the suburbs of Mansbridge and Swaythling in Southampton.
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| 2pm Sunday 5 |
Hedge End NorthThe last walk for 2010, an amble on the firm paths around the expansive open spaces of Grange Park and Dowds Farm in north Hedge End .
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