The Viaduct Way
Inauguration of the Viaduct Way
Table of Contents
Just over a month ago, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Friends of the Hockley Viaduct and others had gathered to unveil two commemorative plaques on the Viaduct.
On Thursday 10th July 2014, Friends of the Hockley Viaduct, representatives of Compton & Shawford Parish Council, students from All Saints’ School in Highcliffe and other invited guests gathered for a special walk along the Viaduct Way from Hockley to the centre of Winchester, finishing in Abbey Gardens.
The walk marked the completed installation of specially commissioned artworks by local artist Nicola Henshaw all along the route.
Nicola explained how she had spoken to as many local people as possible.
She had drawn inspiration from those who used to watch trains go over the viaduct, and from children at schools at either end of the Viaduct Way: All Saints’ Compton and All Saints’ Highcliffe.
The dandelion seed heads which decorate the Viaduct floor had been suggested by Becky, a pupil from All Saints, Compton.
Becky had written “The dandelions are floating across the viaduct, I try to catch them but I miss every time”. Look out for the benches in alcoves on the south wall of the viaduct which quote these lines.
If you want to follow the route:
- Download the official leaflet from Visit Winchester and/or
- use our website’s map showing the Viaduct Way (from Hockley to Winchester) and other local walks
More information
- Winchester City Council
- Walkers Welcome on Viaduct Way 4 December 2013
- Marking time on the Hockley Viaduct 24 September 2013
- Viaduct Way – a Winchester story told by Winchester people 11 July 2014
- National Cycle Network Route 23
- Visit Winchester – download the Viaduct Way route leaflet from here
- Timeline of the viaduct
- Nicola Henshaw’s blog
- Nicola’s Facebook page
- Friends of the Hockley Viaduct