The White Swan Riverside route, West End, Southampton

Start and finish: The White Swan Car Park

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Facilities: There is a large car park at the pub.

This is a circular route from a pub (with car park), The White Swan. It is a family style pub with a traditional pub menu and carvery, as well as a nice terrace at the rear overlooking the river. Private areas are available for meals at no additional cost. It’s a good stop at the end of a walk on a sunny day for a Pimms & lemonade! 02380 473 322 – you will need to make a reservation for food.

Background information

Riverside Park is a 32 hectare park alongside the beautiful River Itchen.

The chalk river is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is internationally recognised as an important wildlife habitat. For example, water voles, kingfishers, dragonflies, otters, as well as numerous species of fish and an abundance of birds inhabit the river & its surroundings.

There are some particularly lovely trees along this walk, and lots of wild food plants.

The park also has various sport and leisure activities at different times of the year.

It’s a lovely walk, mostly on a footpath with lots of interesting features along the way, and plenty of pretty spots to stop for a picnic, or just to sit and admire the view.