Retrace the route of the historic Sprat and Winkle Line through scenic Test Valley

Why not visit the old line? There are plenty of convenient places to park in Andover, and Stockbridge: SPRAT AND WINKLE Between and , the Test Way footpath is well-served with car parks just off the A3057 (Romsey to Andover Road) Stoneymarsh on the northbound carriageway - near Kimbridge Station , just opposite The John O'Gaunt pub west of the A3057 The Sprat and Winkle Line opened on 6 March 1865 and ran between The Mayfly pub at Fullerton or Chilbolton Common , just over the junction and Redbridge, and Andover Junction to connect with the in at The White Lion pub. recently completed line from Basingstoke to . Its route Stockbridge Station in the 1950s, through Test Valley is the subject of this guide and it remains a viewed from the north, along what is picturesque reminder of a fascinating era. Here you can explore its now the A3057 "Valley Road" route on foot or by car.

ᕧ Stockbridge Absolutely nothing is left now of the station, bridge and sidings that made this connection between the Winchester to Salisbury A30 and railway such a prominent stop on the line. It would have been well used in Victorian and Edwardian times by those visiting Stockbridge Racecourse close to what is now Danebury Hill Fort. Establishments like Lillies (Lillie Langtree) reflect this period. The station was demolished in 1967 to make way for the new A30/A3057 roundabout. ᕢ Andover Station Hotel Built before the railway in 1790, the Andover Station Hotel owes its location to an earlier means of transport - the Andover to Redbridge Canal. Once ᕡ Andover Town Station called the "Eight Bells" the hotel was used by travellers as a Like many towns which saw the fierce competition between place to meet and stay and by industries to house local rival railway companies, Andover used to have two stations. produce and livestock prior to shipment. Today the hotel The original and survivor is Andover Junction which was built in stands as one of the last references in the town to the canal 1854 and serves the West of England Main Line. and the `Sprat and Winkle Line. Andover Town Station opened in 1865 and originally occupied the ᕨ Horsebridge site opposite where Sainsbury's now stands and its sidings stood Opened in 1865, Horsebridge where LLoyds TSB is. Station is the best-preserved The road in front is where for 100 years traders, farmers and coal complex of station buildings merchants handled merchandise in the railway wagons and vans. on the Sprat and Winkle Line. For 50 years before the railway era, the same site was a more Designed to provide a transport peaceful but often busy scene with canal barges moored at the service for coal and goods wharves. merchants to nearby King's Andover was home to the famous Tasker Engineering Company. Somborne, the station was Traction engines, steam rollers and trailers produced by the Anna closed exactly 100 years later and remained Valley factory in their thousands can still be seen at rallies and in a untouched for 20 years. It has now been beautifully special collection at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke. brought back to its former glory as a picturesque venue for afternoon teas. An early Southern Railway coach Horsebridge Station in Summer, open for teas acquired from the former BR at Bournemouth stands in ᕣ Goodworth Clatford the station and was until recently used as a restaurant. A signal box rescued from Yalding in Test Way Kent has replaced the original. Horsebridge also boasts a local hostelry "The John O'Gaunt" The station was situated between Upper and Goodworth Clatford and was described as which was once called the Railway Inn. being simple in design within a tranquil setting. The nearby ford through the River Anton The Test Way is a long meant that there was little traffic across the line which led to the early closure of the signal distance footpath running box in 1962. The rest of the station closed when the line was shut down. 49 miles between Nothing but a private house remains of Clatford Station. Beacon in the north to ᕩ It was rumoured that local people could still hear the old Eling Quay, Totton in the Now a private house called The Sprat and Winkle carriages run along the disused track, south. For just over 8 Old Station House, the old long after the line was closed. miles, between platforms have been Stoneymarsh and The transformed into a lovely garden Mayfly pub at Fullerton, it feature. Mottisfont Station was built follows the track bed of in 1865 but closed 99 years later. the Sprat and Winkle Line Eventually, Mottisfont and Dunbridge Station, built in and offers a wonderful 1847, which lies on the Wessex Main Line, opportunity to explore claimed the name. local countryside. See www.hants.gov.uk/walking µ Mottisfont and Dunbridge Clatford signal box at Mottisfont and Dunbridge lies on the Wessex Main Line. Originally the northern end of named Dunbridge Station, it became Mottisfont and Dunbridge in 2006 Goodworth Clatford to reflect the link with Mottisfont. The original Mottisfont Station, on the Sprat and Winkle Line, closed in the 1960s. ᕤ The Station lies just opposite the lovely country pub, The Mill Arms and from here you can walk to the village of Mottisfont which features the Longparish Station, built to a near- Grade I Listed 12th Century Church of St. Andrew and identical design as Wherwell, lay on the and Gardens, owned by the National Trust. Mottisfont and Dunbridge station Longparish Branch (Fullerton - Whitchurch).

Mottisfont and Dunbridge to the ¸ Kimbridge left, Horsebridge to the right Now just a simple crossing, Kimbridge Junction was a connecting point between the Sprat and Winkle and Wessex Main Line. In 1967, the junction was closed and the crossing ᕥ Wherwell unmanned with the introduction of lifting barriers. Wherwell Station opened in 1885 and lay on the Longparish line. During the 1920s the railway line between Wherwell and Fullerton was used as the location for a silent film "Ghost Train". Today, Wherwell Station is a private house which includes the Romsey Station around 1860 ticketing office, waiting room and station masters house.

ᕦ Fullerton Fullerton Bridge Station opened in 1865 but today exists ¹ Romsey as a pair of private houses, The Old Railway Cottages. After only 20 years Fullerton Bridge made way for Fullerton Opened in 1847, Romsey Station is a Grade 2 Listed Junction Station which connected the main Sprat and Winkle Building which has remained largely unchanged. Romsey Line with its new Longparish line extension. Station has played a varied but vital role in its local community During the 1940s the station was provided with over the years including transporting soldiers to the port of an air-raid shelter and accommodation for its Southampton during both world wars. Today it lies on the Wessex staff. Fullerton Bridge remains as a private house Main Line which connects Southampton to . Look out for the Fullerton today Lankester name cast into the canopy columns of the platform by the A3057 bridge, but of Fullerton Junction, The Old Railway which derive from the Victorian foundry in Southampton. only the platform foundations can be spotted Cottages amongst the tree roots. Ƹ Romsey Signal Box Romsey Signal Box lies behind the Plaza Theatre and is still in perfect working order - though no longer in operation. During its life it controlled Romsey Junction and its two connecting lines - the Sprat and Winkle from Redbridge and the Southampton to Salisbury. Scheduled for demolition in 1982 the Signal Box was saved by Romsey and District Buildings Preservation Trust and lovingly restored by willing volunteers. It is regularly open to the public throughout the year - see www.romseysignalbox.org.uk

ƹ Nursling Built in 1885, the same time as the Fullerton to Whitchurch branch, Nursling Station is now a private house named The Old Station. The remnants of platform run only inches from the ƹ current Wessex Main Line. (Not shown on map).

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Further Reading If this leaflet has sparked an interest there are many SPRAT AND WINKLE wonderful web sites - too many to list - that give lots of interesting information. Just Google Sprat and Winkle Line! As well as the beautiful Sprat and Winkle Line Explore the path of the Sprat and Winkle Line Three rivers If you wish to find Test Valley has many other hidden gems to explore. through the historic and beautiful Test Valley, Community out more Rail Partnership and discover for yourself the passing of this information about once famous railway. Volunteers are looking after the the history and remaining Romsey, Mottisfont and operation of the Dunbridge and Dean stations. A Sprat and Winkle Summer bus service will be available on Line then this Sundays and bank holidays. definitive book by E-mail: [email protected] Nigel Bray is highly www.threeriversrail.com recommended. Welcome to Test Valley, and prepare to the green and tranquil valley with only the be amazed by the stunning landscape bustling market towns of Andover, This leaflet is part of the Council's tourism promotion work and is intended to encourage local and picturesque villages and markets Stockbridge and Romsey to disturb the residents and visitors alike to get to know and to enjoy the fascinating history and culture of that unfold before your eyes. peace and quiet. So come and Test Valley. See www.testvalley.gov.uk/business and go to Tourism. Covering some 250 discover this hidden gem in Other leaflets that will help you explore the Test Valley can be obtained from Test Valley Borough square miles, Test Council and Andover and Romsey Tourist Information Centres. northwest for yourself. Valley is renowned for its You’ll be glad that you did. natural surroundings, Sponsored by the Council, our ranging in the north from Tourist Information Centres offer a the wide range of information to help you Area of Outstanding Natural enjoy your stay in Test Valley. Beauty to the New Forest Together with the attractive villages and National Park in the south. surrounding countryside, these are one The , one of of the Borough’s greatest assets for England’s greatest trout rivers, visitors and residents alike. twists and turns its way through The Test Valley Visitor Guide has everything you need to know.

Acknowledgements Test Valley would like to thank the following for contributing photos and information towards the Sprat and Winkle leaflet: Mr R. Hoyle, Mr M. Horne, Mr R. Blencowe, Mr C. Gammell , Mr R. Casserley for providing photographs, Mr J.H Aston, Mr I. Walshaw and Mr D. Lindsell for providing Information. The material was put together by Michelle Robinson working in Economic Development at Test Valley Borough Council. Please contact [email protected]