Winnall Moors Nature Reserve
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
A free, mile-long boardwalk trail through wet meadows where you might spot deer and kingfishers.
This is a proper wander rather than an attraction with a gift shop at the end: a path just under a mile long, mostly boardwalk, cutting through wet meadows on the edge of Winchester. There's grazing livestock on site all year, so you'll want to actually read the signage rather than let a four-year-old make a beeline for the cows. Deer sightings are close enough to feel like an event, and if you're patient you've got a decent chance of a kingfisher flashing past along the water.
Summer's the time to go, by their own account. That's when the wildflowers are out and the place has what they call a lush oasis feel, plus deer and kingfisher sightings pick up. Go in winter and there's a real chance the reserve is closed for flooding, which is worth bearing in mind if you're planning a special trip rather than a spontaneous one.
The paths and boardwalks are long and surfaced, so a pushchair or wheelchair copes fine, no stiles or scrambly bits to negotiate. It's free to get in, which makes it an easy one to add to a day without committing much beyond the walk itself. Parking is the one bit of admin: the nearest option is Durngate pay and display, though the city's park and ride works out cheaper if you don't mind the short walk in.
Dogs are assistance only, so leave the family dog at home for this one. There's no booking needed, you just turn up and walk.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Nearest car park is Durngate pay and display
- How long to allow
- Just under 1 mile long path
- Pushchairs
- Long surfaced paths and boardwalks make it easy to walk with a pushchair
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair friendly with long surfaced paths and boardwalks
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only
- Livestock graze the reserve year round, so stick to what the on-site signs say
- Flooding can close the reserve, so a winter visit is a bit of a gamble
- Summer brings the wildflowers and the best chance of spotting deer and kingfishers
- Only assistance dogs are allowed in
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Nothing, it's free to visit.
Do we need to book?
No booking mentioned, you just turn up and walk the path.
Is it OK for a pushchair or wheelchair?
The paths and boardwalks are long and surfaced, so both cope well.
How long does a visit take?
The path is just under a mile, so it's a fairly quick loop unless you stop a lot to watch for kingfishers.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance dogs are allowed on the reserve.
Where do we park?
Durngate pay and display is the nearest car park, though the park and ride into the city is cheaper.
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