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From the Water Meadows to the Handlebar Cafe

New Hall, Havers Walk, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9NF

  • 16 Sep 2025
  • In person
  • Pre-booking required

This is a double-hander encompassing, first, a walk exploring the ecology of the Winchester Water Meadows followed by a talk explaining the uplifting story of the Handlebar Café, a winner of a City of Winchester Trust Design Award for 2024.

In the first part, Isabella Powell, the Duncan Lewis Stewart Fellow of Natural History at Winchester College, will lead us across the Water Meadows from New Hall to the Handlebar Café. On the way, as well as telling us about the flora and fauna that are found there, she will give us an understanding of the management of the ecosystem by the College and how the decline in species, which has accelerated in recent years due to human activity, might be mitigated in part.
In the second part, Mark Drury of Space, Place and Urban Design (SPUD) and Nick Mirchandani of ArchitecturePLB will recount the remarkable story of how a group of young people from SPUD had the idea for the Café and then how they chose the site, negotiated the necessary permissions and found funding from business to bring the project to fruition, against the odds. Built to 'sit lightly' in its environment and with minimal impact both above and below ground, it has become a highly successful business, much loved by both walkers and cyclists.

Timings & Tours

Tuesday 16 September:
10am

Location & directions

New Hall, Havers Walk, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9NF

Directions:
New Hall is part of Winchester College and is located on Havers Walk leading from College Walk.
Contact on day:
Jonathan Mardall
Telephone number:
+447905625845

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking required
Booking conditions:
Pre-booking required due to limited numbers. Further details available from booking website.
Booking contact name:
Hampshire History Trust
Booking email:
[email protected]
Booking website:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust
Booking opens:
08 Aug 2025 09:00 AM
Booking closes:
10 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The walk is easy going but mainly on unpaved paths. Comfortable shoes recommended.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:
20
Est. tour duration:
2 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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