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Follow Testwood Lane as it heads north through Totton, and when it curves to the left turn half-right to join a footpath that carries the Test Way slightly east of north. It immediately passes a pub, before reaching a bridge over the river. It turns to the left to skirt the eastern bank of the river northwards for a short distance until a causeway is reached on the left. Here turn right, and start following a footpath that heads northeastwards across the Lower Test Nature Reserve for a little over half a mile, crossing tributaries of the river on bridges before reaching a railway line. The house is now owned by the National Trust, and is open to the public year-round. It is the home to a world-famous collection of old Rose species that are at their best in the late spring and early summer. Many traces of the alterations from priory into house can be seen on the exterior of the building. The final section is a gradual climb through Hurtsbourne Tarrant and Linkenholt towards Inkpen Beacon and Walbury Hill in Berkshire where the trail finishes. The route continues through Kimbridge and then onto the impressive National Trust owned Mottisfont Abbey. This 13th century Augustinian priory is surrounded by glorious grounds and is a major highlight on the trail.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch. Refreshment will be at a free house metres from the river: the John O’Gaunt Inn in Horsebridge, known for good food and Sunday jazz. But as it doesn’t offer rooms, we’re staying somewhere much older. Michelmersh Manor Farm, a few miles south, was first recorded in 1205 as a “large grange with fortified gatehouse and great hall”. The entire route is waymarked by metal and plastic disks found attached to wooden and metal posts, trees and street furniture. There are several wooden 'finger' signs along the route that count down the number of miles along the footpath in both directions. The author Malcolm Leatherdale really knows his stuff. Outlining the walk, it is the little details that show that. Anything to do with the Second World War is mentioned and seeing most of the people who use this book will have had parents or grandparents involved in that conflict that is no bad thing. As well as the Test way there are 15 circular walks, ranging from four to eight miles, around the Test Valley.....The route starts Eling Tide Mile near Totton heading north towards the Lower Test Nature Reserve and Romsey along the river. Here the river runs parallel to the old Andover Canal which you can explore on the Romsey Canal Walk. Romsey was home to Lord Mountbatten of Burma, and also of Lord Palmerston, of whom there is a statue in the market square. Mountbatten was buried inside Romsey Abbey after his assassination by the IRA in 1979. This route is shown as a series of green diamonds on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps and as a series of red diamonds on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps
As is often seen with Cicerone books, the route uses sections of OS 1:50,000 map to accompany the text. It is also well illustrated with various pictures of the river and its tributaries, braiding being a frequent feature in this flat and rural valley. Turn left and walk westwards for fifty yards to reach Rum bridge. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing, and then head along a footpath that runs northwards along the western bank of the river. Soon a footbridge is reached; cross this, and follow the footpath as it reaches a footbridge over a railway line. Cross the bridge to Maynard Road on the other side. Turn left up this for a few yards until it ends at a T-junction with the A336 Ringwood Road. Turn right along the A336 to a large roundabout; continue straight on, and then turned left up Testwood Lane. On the route you could stop off at Mottisfont Abbey and enjoy refreshments in the National Trust tea rooms. Near here there's also the excellent Mill Arms in the village of Dunbridge. It's in a lovely spot and includes a new conservatory for looking out over the garden with two open fireplaces indoors for colder days. You can find the pub at Barley Hill, Dunbridge with a postcode of SO51 0LF for your sat navs. The pub above is also very dog friendly and will often provide water and biscuits for your canine friend. At 297 m (974 ft) Walbury Hill is the highest point in Berkshire and South East England. At the summit you can enjoy great views over the county and explore the Iron Age Hill fort of Walbury Camp.Soon we’re climbing through open fields linked by kissing gates, heading north-west to the riverside hamlet of Brook. After about a mile there’s a metal gate – the highest point of the walk, 91 metres above sea level – with expansive river views from the top of a steep, stepped path down to the valley. The following places of interest and hills can be found along the length of the Test Way, listed from Walbury Hill: Mottisfont is also home to a large Grade-II listed tithe barn, which has been converted into accommodation. Mottisfont is a small hamlet situated to the north of Romsey. It would be like so many other small villages in the area, except for the presence of Mottisfont Abbey. The River Test is one of only a couple of hundred chalk stream rivers in the world. The Test Way is based loosely on the river, staring from Inkpen Beacon and finishing at Eling tide mill. In fact, the footpath does not meet the River Test until Longparish, over a third of the way down the footpath.
In the pretty village of St Mary Bourne, near Andover, there's the George Inn. The pub does a fine Sunday Carvery and is popular with cyclists and walkers. Postcode for sat navs is SP11 6BG. Further Information and Other Local Ideas Guidebook to walking Hampshire's Test Way, a 44 mile (71km) route from Inkpen Beacon to the Eling Tide Mill near Southampton Water. The walk, which is described over eight stages, takes in many of the region's natural, historical and architectural delights, from the ever famous 'Sprat and Winkle' railway to the River Test itself - a stunning example of the exceedingly rare chalk stream. The Test Way is a 44-mile (71km) [1] long-distance footpath in England from Walbury Hill in West Berkshire to Eling in Hampshire, which follows much of the course of the River Test. Romsey is a small and picture-perfect town in the Test Valley just to the north of Southampton. It was founded on the lowest crossing place of the River Test, and on routes between Southampton, Winchester and Salisbury. The Test Way is a 44-mile long distance walking route that will take you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, to follow much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. Without doubt, the Test is one of Hampshire’s finest chalk streams, world famous for its superb trout fishing. The Test Way has been divided into eight sections, each providing a really good day out. Choose between water meadows or tidal marshes, riverbank picnics or cosy pubs, steep hills with exhilarating views or a cool peaceful woodland.
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Also near the start of the route you will pass the Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve. Here you'll find a variety of interesting wild flowers and woodland around the lakes. You can also look out for various wildfowl and waders on the water using the two bird hides. The reserve is located just to the west of the path, about a mile from the start point in Totton. The entire route is waymarked by metal and plastic disks found attached to wooden and metal posts, trees and street furniture. There are several wooden 'finger' signs along the route that countdown the number of miles along the footpath in both directions. (Source: Wikipedia) The Way has been divided into eight sections, each providing a really good day out. Choose between water meadows or tidal marshes, riverbank picnics or cosy pubs, steep hills with exhilarating views or cool, peaceful woodland. The Test Way is a 44-mile long distance walking route that will take you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, to follow much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. Without doubt, the Test is one of Hampshire’s finest chalk streams, world famous for its superb trout fishing.
At the start point for the walk there's Eling Tide Mill to investigate. The Grade II listed mill is a major local attraction with picturesque walks and some fascinating local history. For many, the River Test is the pre-eminent chalk stream: one of the longest, it’s famous as the birthplace of modern dry fly fishing. But you don’t need to care about rods and lines to enjoy the Test Way, a 47-mile route from the river’s source in north Hampshire to Southampton Water. It is divided into eight stages, but for a day hike, we choose a circular walk taking in ancient woods, water meadows, sheep-grazed valleys and soul-soothing views from chalk hillsides. We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Map of the leg
The Test Way starts at Eling Quay, situated on a creek leading off Southampton Water. From Eling it heads north through the town of Totton before joining the River Test for the first time at the northern side of the town. Saltflats on the floodplain of the River Test are crossed on boardwalks, before a diversion under the M27 is made to reach Nursling church. A pleasant stroll then takes you from one side of the river to the other, getting glimpses of Broadlands House before reaching the A3090 on the outskirts of Romsey. The southern end of the Test Way was originally positioned at the Salmon's Leap, to the north of Totton. This was then moved to Eling, a very pleasant and interesting spot for such a walk to start. Unfortunately this means that you have to head through the centre of Totton to rejoin the river. Having said that, Eling is a wonderful spot to start a trail. Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
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