Illustrated Talk – Itchen Navigation

Presented by Phil Jeffs.

The Itchen Navigation was created in 1665 – as a waterway that commercial barges could pass through. At its height, cargoes of wool and coal were taken from Winchester to Southampton to be traded with the world.

When the railway replaced barges, the Navigation was no longer required and the last commercial vessel travelled along the waterway in 1869.

However, the Navigation has grown into an important area for animal and plant life.