Sunset walk

The walk begins in the Broadway, originally a Roman thoroughfare, which is dominated by a bronze statue of King Alfred the Great erected in 1901.

While facing the statue from the Broadway turn right and walk to the corner of Abbey Gardens nearest the Guildhall.

Walk towards the Eastern Hill, known as St Giles Hill, pausing at City Bridge with the River Itchen flowing fast beneath you.

While facing the river turn around to see the building across the road.

Facing the mill turn right and face the building straight across the mini-roundabout.

Take the first left into Water Lane and follow the path by the river, looking back to see the island garden at the rear of the City Mill. Look out for otters at dusk! After 45 metres turn right between numbers 40 and 41 Water Lane and follow the path up into the churchyard of St John the Baptist.

Leave the churchyard and turn left into St John’s Street, noticing to your right ‘Tudor House’, once the city’s workhouse.

Turn right and cross over Joyce’s Garden and busy Magdalen Hill, entering St Giles Hill a few metres further down. Ascend the hill and make your way across the wide green space at the top. On the lower side you will find the viewpoint.

From the viewpoint, follow the hill round and up the steps to the south-east corner and descend to Quarry Road. Turn right following the signs to Riverside Walk, crossing Chesil Street, until you reach Wharf Mill (an award-winning conversion of industrial premises to flats). Turn right.

By the Roman wall ascend the steps into a small garden. Turn left through the garden into Colebrook Street.

Turn left and follow the road round until you reach the entrance in the wall on your right into Abbey Gardens.

Walk across Abbey Gardens to the garden beside Abbey House.

The walk ends here in Abbey Gardens in sight of King Alfred’s statue where it began.