South Western Railway (SWR) has teamed up with walking and wellbeing app Go Jauntly and local community rail partnerships (CRPs) to offer a selection of easily accessible countryside walks around the SWR network.

To launch the partnership, colleagues from SWR and Go Jauntly met up with members of the Three Rivers CRP on Tuesday 1 August to sample one of the walks offered on the app – a selection of the Itchen Navigation walk between Shawford and Eastleigh stations.

The Go Jauntly app is free to download, and currently contains 11 walks under the ‘South Western Railway Rambles’ banner. These vary from a 30-minute step free stroll in the New Forest, to a full day out walking from Winchester to Southampton, following the route of the River Itchen. The walks start from Chessington, Brockenhurst, Eastleigh, Shawford and Winchester stations, and some also have step-free, accessible routes available.

Hana Sutch, CEO and co-founder of Go Jauntly, said of the partnership: “It’s so exciting to announce that Go Jauntly has teamed up with South Western Railway and community rail partnerships to provide nature-filled walking routes, which are all accessible by train.

“Travelling to new places via public transport adds to the overall experience and is very much a part of the journey and fun. Now it’s easier to explore more of the wonderful countryside along the South Western Railway network with this collection of walks.”

Nick Farthing, Chair of Three Rivers CRP, was delighted Go Jauntly chose to launch their stunning walks from Shawford Station: “The not-for-profit Community Café at the station, run in partnership between Hampshire CRP and Marco’s Platform One CIC, is a great place to either start or finish the Itchen Navigation walk. What’s better than offering car-free days out to visit glorious countryside, easily accessible by rail, with coffee and cakes close by!”

Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for SWR, said: “South Western Railway is delighted to be working with Go Jauntly and our community rail partnerships to offer new ways for people to explore the countryside around our stations. These walking routes are a great way to see the best that the region has to offer, while leaving the car at home.”

All SWR’s walks in collaboration with Go Jauntly can be found here.