Day 7 & 8 - Winchester to Southampton

The final leg of the St James' Way from Winchester to Southampton is 16 miles but it is very easy to split into two sections because of good train links, so we took our time and walked Winchester to Eastleigh on the first of the 2 days we spent on this stage (8.5 miles) which provided lots of time for a good look round the Hospital of St Cross and to take our 'dole'.

The 'Hospital' is really an amazing collection of almshouses, church and gorgeous gardens. It was closed when we got there (Sunday morning) so check opening times but they were very accommodating and we got to see it all. Well worth a stop en route.  The 'dole' is the travellers bread and beer. We requested it in the shop, as the guidebook advised, and it is a lovely little ceremony. We also bought a ceramic beer cup from the shop as a souvenir. At Eastleigh, we stopped. Eastleigh Station is only half a mile off the route and has train links to Winchester and Southampton.  

We started our final day on the St James' Way back at Eastleigh Station to walk the final 7.5 miles into Southampton, following the River Itchen as it broadens out into an estuary through suburban Southampton all the way to the city centre and the port. We collected out final passport stamp at the route's final destination, God's House Tower, part of the original medieval quay and now an arts and heritage centre. For a modest fee of a couple of quid, we received our Via de Sanctus Iacobus certificate to show we had completed the St James' Way.  The arts centre is opposite the Isle of Wight ferry terminal (28 minutes - fast service to Cowes), so we jumped on board and went for a swim on the island to celebrate! 

If you are planning your own walk of the St James' Way, may we wish you 'Buen Camino!'