Introduction History The Test Way is a 44-mile long- In addition to the local fare, the Test Way is steeped in Further south is Mottisfont Abbey – when the Domesday distance walking route that will history. There is a host of historically important Book was compiled in 1086, the ancient manor house take you from its dramatic buildings and places to visit along its route dating from at Mottisfont belonged to William the Conqueror. The start, high on the chalk downs the Bronze Age period to the recent past. priory was founded by the Austin Cannons in 1201 until at Inkpen, to follow much of the it was dissolved by Oliver Cromwell in 1536. It became Near Stockbridge is Danebury, a large Iron Age hill fort course of the River Test to Eling a private house until given to the National Trust in from the 6th C BC, and whose ramparts and ditches are where its tidal waters flow into 1957, and is now famous for its superb walled rose still clearly visible today. Just south of St Mary Bourne, Southampton Water. Without garden. the path crosses the line of the Harrow Way, one of the doubt, the Test is one of great prehistoric trackways and a medieval pilgrim’s Hampshire’s finest chalk The beautiful abbey at Romsey was founded by Edward route, and at Wherwell the route crosses a section of streams, world famous for its the Elder in the 10th C. It was a Benedictine monastery Roman road that stretched from Winchester to superb trout fishing. for nuns that in its early years had strong royal Cirencester. connections and attracted ladies from some of the The Way has been divided into wealthiest families in the land. In its latter years the In Harewood Forest, King Edgar is said to have killed eight sections, each providing a monastery declined, and its nuns were often rebuked for Earl Ethelwold of Wherwell, who had counselled him really good day out. Choose ‘scandals’ such as staying out all night! It survived the against marrying Elfrida, whom he then married. When between water meadows or tidal Dissolution and became the parish church. Edgar saw her beauty, he killed the earl and married marshes, riverbank picnics or her. Later she had his son, Edward, murdered in order cosy pubs, steep hills with Just outside Romsey, the route passes the grand to secure the throne for her son Ethelred. In remorse, exhilarating views or cool, Palladian mansion of Broadlands – home of the late she founded the nunnery at Wherwell in 986 AD. This peaceful woodland. Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last serving Viceroy of was later demolished after the Dissolution of the India, and once the home of the prime minister, Lord The route passes through some of the most picturesque Monasteries in 1539. Palmerston. villages in Hampshire, strewn with listed buildings, Just north of Horsebridge is a disused canal lock from historic churches and houses. There are many places Totton and Eling have a history traceable back to the the Southampton to Andover canal. In 1857, the such as Romsey, Stockbridge and Totton where you can Bronze Age – a dagger from this period was discovered Andover Canal Railway Company utilised much of the stop along the way for refreshment, visit antiques shops, at Testwood Lakes. As the first point at which route for a railway locally called the ‘Sprat and Winkle sample local crafts and foods or even to stay for a night Southampton Water could be forded, a settlement has Line’ (closed in the 1960s), which was literally built or two. We have listed a selection of refreshments in the thrived here for thousands of years. over the top of the canal. Along the path, white gashes more rural parts at the end of each section. can be seen in the cliffs where it is said the chalk was The crystal-clear waters of the little streams, or excavated to fill in the old waterway. bournes, are ideal for watercress growers, and the Stockbridge was first referred to in 1141. The main numerous water meadows and tidal marshes are thick street is particularly wide, reflecting its earlier role as with wildlife, flora and fauna. As the route criss-crosses part of a drovers’ road. It developed as a thriving backwards and forwards over the river, you may spot market town in the 13th C, and is still thriving today. some of the many rare birds and plants that can be found here, such as kingfishers, marsh harriers and little grebe, green-winged orchids and butterbur. Mottisfont Abbey Local fare - Hampshire boasts a wide range of fine local products such as watercress, trout, beef and lamb, wine, cheeses, handmade chocolates and many more. For a guide to producers, call 01962 845999 or visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk on the web. There are also regular farmers’ markets in Hampshire’s towns and villages, so why not take home an edible souvenir for your family and friends. Details and dates are available on 01962 845135 or visit www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk How to follow the Test Way Further information The route stretches between Publications Inkpen in Berkshire For information about the other ten long-distance walks and Eling Wharf in Hampshire. or for leaflets about the following, tel: (01962) 870500, The route is well sign posted with the or visit your local Hampshire County Council Information Test Way logo of TW on a green arrow. Centre or Tourist Information Centre. Horse-riders and cyclists can also use Long-distance walks A 44 mile some parts of the Test Way, this is shown Walking in Hampshire the map inside. Finding Your Way long-distance walk Guided Walks Discover Hampshire’s Countryside from Inkpen Beacon Maps Accessible Countryside in Hampshire to Eling This leaflet does not provide navigation Defence of the Realm details. The route is shown on the following Ordnance Survey maps:- Useful websites Explorer maps at 1:25,000 scale www.hants.gov.uk/walking 158 (Newbury & Hungerford), www.hants.gov.uk/countryside 131 (Romsey, Andover & Test Valley), www.hants.gov.uk/cycling OL22 (New Forest) www.visit-hampshire.org.uk The route is indicated on these maps www.traveline.org.uk with a green diamond and the name of www.metoffice.co.uk the route (Test Way). Further information and a detailed Useful contacts Hampshire County Council route description is available on the from the OS mapping with permission of the Reproduced controller of HMSO © HCC LICENCE No LA100019180 web:- www.hants.gov.uk/walking/testway Information Centre Winchester 01962 870500 Met Office (weather information) 0870 9000100 The Traveline 0870 608 2608 Other long-distance walks Tourist Information Centres (TICs) Andover 01264 324320www.visit-testvalley.org.uk Inkpen 1 Avon Valley Path Beacon Basingstoke 01256 817618 www.visit-northhampshire.org.uk 7 2 Clarendon Way Romsey 01794 512987www.visit-testvalley.org.uk 3 Solent Way Southampton 023 8083 3333 www.southampton.gov.uk Andover Farnham 4 Test Way Lyndhurst 023 8028 2269 www.thenewforest.co.uk Alton 11 5 Hampshire Millennium Recreation & Heritage Department 4 6 Pilgrims’ Trail Hampshire County Council, Mottisfont Court, High Street, Salisbury 2 Winchester 10 6 Oxdrove Way Winchester Hampshire SO23 8ZF. 5 8 7 Wayfarer’s Walk 1 Southampton 9 8 South Downs Way Available in alternative formats Lyndhurst Havant National Trail Ringwood Emsworth 9 Staunton Way 01962 870500 3 Christchurch Portsmouth 10 Hangers Way Produced with assistance from Test Valley Borough Council and 11 St Swithun’s Way Hampshire Totton and Eling Town Council DESIGN 03 3462 CORPORATE GRAPHICS TEAM 01962 813802 PRINT BY HAMPSHIRE PRINTING SERVICES ON REVIVETEAM 01962 813802 PRINT BY HAMPSHIRE PRINTING SERVICES RECYCLED PAPER GRAPHICS DESIGN 03 3462 CORPORATE UNCOATED County Council ©Hampshire County Council. 2005 Inkpen to Hurstbourne Tarrant Inkpen West Down, Chilbolton to Stockbridge Hill P Distance: 8 miles Time: 3-4 hours P Distance: 3 miles Time: 1-2 hours Way The Test Way begins high on a dramatic chalk escarpment at fare This part of the route uses an old dismantled railway line to rs W Inkpen. From here you can see the bleak downs to the north alk lead you down to Stockbridge. The river is always beside you, and the lush plain to the south. On a fine day you may even peeping through the trees, passing the villages of Leckford and, glimpse the soaring landmark of Salisbury Cathedral’s spire. across the river, Longstock. Berkshire From here the trail drops sharply to the valley and rises to Hampshire Stockbridge’s wide main street rests on a chalk causeway built the small village of Linkenholt, then follows farm tracks to over the seven streams that make up the River Test. The water the pretty hamlet of Ibthorpe, where Jane Austen was a Linkenholt criss-crosses the high street, where you can take a break from regular visitor at Ibthorpe House. The path then follows your route to feed the huge trout or explore the many antiques alongside the bed of a winterbourne (a seasonally rising and crafts shops, galleries, pubs and cafés. stream) into the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant – a favourite of William Cobbett, author of ‘Rural Rides’. Accommodation: Andover TIC Refreshments: (small selection) Accommodation: Andover TIC Upton Combe Gibbet, Inkpen Mayfly PH, Westdown 01264 860283 Refreshments: P A343 White Hart Inn, Stockbridge 01264 810663 George and Dragon, Hurstbourne Tarrant 01264 736277 Places of interest: Public Transport: Inkpen and Hurstbourne Tarrant George and PHurstbourne Houghton Lodge Gardens 01264 810502 Four Valleys Taxi Bus - 114 0118 975 3070 Dragon PH Tarrant Public Transport: Stockbridge Newbury Buses - 13 01635 567500 Stagecoach, 77,99,X99 0845 121 0180 Stagecoach - 20 0845 121 0180 Stoke Wilts & Dorset, 68 01722 336855 Cango - C2 & C3 0845 602 4135 George Inn Stockbridge to Mottisfont Hurstbourne Tarrant to St Mary Bourne Bourne P St Mary Bourne 1 Valley Distance: 5 /2 miles Time: 2-3 hours Distance: 3 miles Time: 1-2 hours Still using the old railway line, the path passes through In Hurstbourne Tarrant the path runs through the village, Stockbridge Common – a quiet world of reedbeds and B3048 crosses the valley and heads steeply uphill to the copses of waterfowl.