Sporty activities

River Park Leisure Centre

River Park is a modern, well appointed leisure complex situated in the centre of the city.

Children aged 16 years and under can sign-up for free swimming at the River Park Leisure Centre. This involves a single administration fee of £2 to cover the 2 years of free swimming.
www.winchester.gov.uk/freeswimming

River Park Leisure Centre also runs a passport to leisure card, which entitles people on low incomes to cheaper rates at the centre.

Winchester Sports Stadium

There is free evening football for young people available at the Winchester Sports Stadium in Bar End.

For further information contact Winchester City Council's Sports Development Officer on 01962 848 532.

For a gentler pace Winchester also has many parks and open spaces to enjoy outdoor activities. These include:

St Giles' Hill

Take the Sunset Walk to the top of St Giles' Hill. With superb panoramic views over the city, it is a great spot for a picnic, kite flying or family games.

Water Meadows and St Catherine's Hill

Take the Weirs Walk along the fast-flowing River Itchen - where ducks paddle frantically against the current - past Wolvesey Castle and on towards the water meadows.

To the east of St Cross, and an easy one-mile walk from the city centre, is the Iron Age fort of St Catherine's Hill, the site of the first settlement in the Winchester area. Another great spot for picnics, you can enjoy fabulous views of St Cross and back towards the city. Children will enjoy the twists and turns of the intriguing miz-maze cut into the surface of the hill.