This level, easy pub walk can be started either from the centre of Winchester or from St Cross, depending upon your preference and where you plan to stop for your refreshments. It follows in Keat's footsteps and combines a walk along the River Itchen with all its rich wildlife with a tour of Winchester, passing by the cathedral and various other places of historical interest. The 12th century St Cross Hospital is beautifully located and is very impressive from the towpath.

The Wykeham Arms seems to have won just about every award going and although it struggled to retain its standing after a well-loved landlord died a few years ago, it has come back fighting and still seems to make the grade. It appears in all the usual pub guides including the very discerning Eating Out in Pubs guide from Michelin and is well known for its vast array of wines by the glass. I particularly like the comment in the Good Beer Guide which says its frequently busy but always utterly civilised - a conversationalist's haven - away from 21st-century pressures.

The pub guides often rave about the walks around here too with the AA Pub Guide, for example, referring to glorious walks through the River Itchen water meadows to Winchester College.

The Go To Free Pub Walk button above will take you to the Keats' walk leaflet in PDF format which includes plenty of information about the route you follow. You can also find out more information on Keats and his link with Winchester by visiting http://www.visitwinchester.co.uk. Other pubs included on the same walk are shown under Linked Pub Walks below.