Blue Route  to the Lower Viewpoint.  Leave the car park by the southern pedestrian access, pass under the footbridge and use the crossing to the footpath adjacent the new building. Turn right and follow the path round and up the gentle gradient to reach the bottom of East Hill. Turn left again and begin climbing the hill. This may e better done by using the roadway as a telegraph pole restricts the footpath higher up. Once past St. Giles Close rejoin the footpath until reaching the entrance to the Park.

From there a wide paved path rises gently to the viewpoint.  The best views of the City can be admired in the morning sun or and sunsets enjoyed in the evening. 

Return to the entrance and on down to the bottom of East Hill to return to the car park.

Optional Extension. Extend your outing by using the zebra crossing at the bottom of East Hill and then take a dog leg to the left and the footpath down to the Wiers (if this is too steep use the road) and cross the River Itchen via the footbridge. From here you can turn right and take the lovely Riverside Walk along to the City Bridge where you can exit via a ramp and turn safely left into the Broadway. Or you can turn left and follow the old City Walls round into College Street. 

Please note: whilst “step free” the paved path at the Lower Viewpoint which continues on to join Bridge Street is not suitable for wheeled aids. The path is steep and uneven.

Blue Badge holders can park on the street closer to the entrance on Quarry Road in residents permit bays.

Blue Route to the Summit:  Leave the car park by the entrance past the toilets. On emerging look to the right to see the entrance to the old DN&S railway tunnel. Look up above and a glimpse of a Victorian house can be seen that was once the home of the Station master and on the left a new home – “Beeching House”. Now turn left and head down Station Approach.

At the bottom, turn right passing the old Chesil Rectory and use the crossing to access St. John’s St. Half way up one passes the church, the oldest parish church in Winchester. Continue up to the black and white building at the crossroads. Turn right onto Blue Boar Hill, the steepest section of the route. 

At the top of Blue Boar Hill continue up the pavement until you eventually see Baring Road on the opposite side. This is a reasonable place to cross the busy Alresford Road. Enter Baring Road, a well-made shared surface highway where pedestrians have right of way and proceed until you see the park on your right.

With a capable powered chair or scooter one can go onto the grass and contour round to the trees on the far side. In front of them is a path and metal fence, join this and follow round to the Main Viewpoint. You can also visit the St. Catherine’s Viewpoint. 

You will need to return the way you came or use the pavement on the North and West side of Alresford Road facing the upcoming traffic.  (On the other side the footpath is narrower and the downhill traffic travels faster and comes from behind)

If you wish to continue by visiting the City centre then return to the bottom of St. John’s Street, turn right and right again along Water Lane back to the footbridge over the Itchen and then via the zebra crossing to the west side of Eastgate Street from where you have a choice of routes to reach the City centre.  

The above guide was prepared by local resident Mike Biden. He has used these routes in his own and rented power chairs. He does not regard City Bridge as a safe access for anyone confined to a powered mobility aid as the footpaths are too narrow and the roadway too busy. This is a guide only, prepared in good faith and the author accepts no liability.