Dawn to Dusk Day 2023

The Watercress Way will once again run its very popular Dawn to Dusk Day on the 23rd April, with a series of events across the day that showcase both the work of the charity and its trustees, and the route itself.

For those wishing to attend, the events planned are as follows.

In-person guided walks

• 4.30 am:  Birdsong Dawn Chorus walk starting at The Gratton, Sutton Scotney, SO21 3LG.

  • Join trustees and a local ornithological expert before dawn to experience the true beauty of a Hampshire dawn chorus along the River Dever and the surrounding chalk downland landscape. As darkness turns to full early morning light, each of the singing and calling birds will be identified as we stop, listen, and appreciate. Depending upon what birds make an appearance, we should be out for around 2.5 hours, and cover about 2.5 miles.

  • Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/608244615017

•  10.00 am:  Railway Heritage Walk in Itchen Abbas. Meet at the village hall, SO21 1BQ.

  • Join trustees and a railway and local history expert to hear about the fascinating history of the rise and development, and subsequent decline and closures of The old Watercress Line and the  Didcot-Newbury-Southampton Railway (closed in 1963 and 1973 respectively). On this walk we shall walk upon the lines and view some of the local infrastructure the trains once ran upon and steamed past.

  • Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/608293330727

•  2.00 pm: Ecology and Heritage circular walk on the Didcot-Southampton old railway line. Start at Worthy Down Halt, Kings Worthy,  SO21 2RR.

  • A chance to find out about the rich history of the old Worthy Down station, originally on the DN and SR railway line, and its horse racing and military connections, as well as the diverse and important flora and fauna that make the old station and railway line, and the surrounding chalk landscape their home. See and hear too the work of the local conservation group that work so hard to maintain and enhance what is to be found there. 

  • Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/608324824927

• 4.00pm: Trustees will meet in the King Charles pub in Kings Worthy to discuss the day and answer any questions from any attendees of the day’s events, or anyone with an interest in the charity and The Watercress Way.

  • Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/608354513727

All-day self-guided events

•  All day: Scavenger Hunt

  • This year we are delighted to introduce a new event - a scavenger hunt, suitable for all the family, allowing you to get to know the Watercress Way with all of your senses.

  • Designed to be a fun and educational activity that involves exploring the route, searching for specific items found along the Watercress Way, it's a great way to get kids and adults alike excited about spending time outside and learning about the natural world around them.

  • See the Scavenger Hunt page for more information. Please share any photos from the day at info@watercressway.org.uk or via our Facebook page.

• All day: Run and walk the route

  • This event is a virtual event to keep track of everyone enjoying the route on the day. Additionally, a group of local runners are running the whole 27 miles. Perhaps, inspired by their example, you would like to walk or run any part of the route during the day and feedback to us via our Facebook page

  • There are many different walks on our webpage https://www.thewatercressway.org.uk/walks. This includes the 8 walk challenge which covers the whole route in easier stages.

  • For those who prefer to cycle see the map which show which parts are accessible to cyclists: https://www.thewatercressway.org.uk/cycling

Booking in advance lets us know how many we shall be expecting for each event, and lets us manage them better.