FREE GUIDE Test Valley Visitor 2020 Guide Come and stay, explore and enjoy our story of this part of Hampshire www.VisitTestValley.co.uk @Visit-Test-Valley @visit_test_valley @VisitTestValley Explore Test Valley by bus You'll findAdvert it easy to get from place to place with our cross country links from Andover Bus Station. Activ8 up to every 15 minutes between Tidworth & Andover with buses to Salisbury half hourly Route 76 hourly services to Basingstoke There are also links to Newbury on route 7 and Winchester on route 85. Visit stagecoachbus.com for detailed timetable and fare information. Contactless payments accepted on all our buses. 22 Test Valley Visitor Guide 2020 Explore Test Valley by bus Welcome to the Test Valley If you’ve discovered Test Valley then one with nature, alongside the world- Contents you’ve uncovered a quintessential renowned mecca for dry fly fishing. Easy to Visit Perfect for Exploring 4 corner of England. An idyllic escape Events Calendar 5 So whether you are here for the day, to the countryside, Test Valley offers a Connect Yourself with the Past 6 a short break, or longer, this guide harmonious retreat that will captures the best places to Discover Life in a Rural Setting 10 leave your heart-warmed Explore visit to make the most of your A Walk Through the Seasons 12 and mind-rejuvenated. Test Valley, time. Explore this little piece Lasting Memories 13 This beautiful part of the of hidden England; take in Beautiful Gardens & 15 country is home to the and find lively market towns; visit the Hidden Treasures market towns of Andover, area’s magnificent gardens Adrenaline Pumping 17 Stockbridge and Romsey, yourself and marvel at its history from Test Valley Borough of Culture 20 each with a unique identity and all ancient hill-forts to Edwardian country Pour, Sip and Unwind 24 offering a warm Test Valley welcome. houses. Walk through breathtaking You'll find it easy to get from place Fill up on Taste Sensations 26 Hampshire’s longest river, the landscapes; taste delicious local River Test, with its gin-clear waters, Towns of the Test Valley 30 produce and relish the serenity of the to place with our cross country links meanders through the heart of the Staying in the Test Valley 32 River Test…discover this destination district making it the perfect spot for ££ Vouchers for a day out in the 35 that does wonders for the mind, body Test Valley riverside ambles. Here you can be at from Andover Bus Station. and soul! Where to find out more Activ8 The award-winning Visitor Information VIC staff will be pleased to help you up to every 15 minutes Centre in Romsey and eight tourist plan your visit and provide advice. information points across the borough Please telephone or call in for current between Tidworth & Andover offer a wide range of promotional information. guides to help you enjoy your stay in Test with buses to Salisbury half hourly The Visitor Information Centre, Valley and plan fantastic days out. 13 Church Street, Romsey, /DanLowthphotography | Kingfisher on River Test at Longparish /DanLowthphotography | Kingfisher on River SO51 8BT Tel: 01794 512987 Email: [email protected] Route 76 Romsey Visitor Information Centre @moreRomsey hourly services to Basingstoke Front cover photograph: © Gold award winner for excellence There are also links to Newbury on route 7 and Winchester on route 85. Visitor Information Services Visit stagecoachbus.com for detailed timetable and fare information. Test Valley Borough Council does not endorse any of the products or services presented in this guide, and cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience incurred as a result of changes to advertised information. Always check details before Contactless payments making arrangements. accepted on all our buses. To find out more about advertising in the guide contact: [email protected] www.VisitTestValley.co.uk to find out more and plan your visit. Connect with us... @Visit-Test-Valley @visit_test_valley @VisitTestValley Test Valley Visitor Guide 2020 3 Easy to visit, perfect for exploring... Test Valley is “West Hampshire” and its three main towns of Andover, Romsey and Stockbridge are easily accessible. Andover lies on the A303 which stretches from North Hampshire to Devon and is on the main London Waterloo to Exeter railway line. The historic market town of Romsey is only a short distance from the M27 and M3 and is on the main Portsmouth to Cardiff railway line with connections via Southampton to London Waterloo and Bournemouth. Nestled between the historic cities of Winchester and Salisbury and the New Forest National Park, it’s the perfect location to base yourself for exploration. Get the Visitor Guide on your tablet or mobile If you would like to download a copy of the Visitor Guide to use on your mobile or tablet, you can find it at: www.testvalley.gov.uk/visitorguide We are here! Visit the beautiful Test Valley Abbey, Mottisfont Abbey, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, area with hourly South Western Houghton Lodge and Gardens, Stockbridge, Danebury Hill Railways or Great Western Fort, The Army Flying Museum, The Hawk Conservancy Railways train services to Romsey, and much more! Mottisfont and Dunbridge, Dean, For information visit Grateley or Andover Stations. www.threeriversrail.com In summer, a Sunday rail - bus www.facebook.com/threeriversrail service operates between these or www.twitter.com/threeriversrail stations, recreating most of the old Alternatively, contact [email protected] or call Sprat and Winkle rail line closed in 1967. The bus will link 07900 103296 for more details about visiting the up with major local tourism attractions including Romsey Test Valley area by train. 44 Test Valley Visitor Guide 2020 Events Calendar A Portrait of the National British Trucks Race Meeting Bird Images ©Kate Bailey Trust: 125 Stories for 27th & 28th June 125 Years Thruxton Motorsport Centre Christmas Lights Switch All year | Mottisfont On, 20th November Romsey Festival Andover Easter Family Trail 4th to 19th July Bennetts 28th March - 20th April www.RomseyFestival.org British Superbike Christmas Light Switch On Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Championship & Winter Carnival Parade Romsey Test Rotary 7th - 9th August 21st November Hoppy Easter Mayor’s Picnic 5th July Thruxton Motorsport Centre Romsey 4th – 19th April Romsey War Memorial Park Paultons Park www.rotaryclubofromsey Andover Festival of Christmas at Paultons www.paultonspark.co.uk test.org.uk Motoring 30th August 21st November – & 27th September 23rd December 2020 Sky Hunters at Sunset Romsey Art Trail Andover High Street Paultons Park 25th April, 30th May, 5th July www.paultonspark.co.uk/ 18th July and 8th August Romsey Food Festival christmas Hawk Conservancy Trust Beggar’s Fair & Farmers Market 11th July 6th September Small Business Saturday A Fest, 3rd May Romsey Town Centre Romsey town Centre and Stockbridge Christmas Andover Town Centre 5th December Gardens Open Evening The Romsey Show Stockbridge High Street Tornado Springs – Official 14th July 6.30 – 9pm 12th September Opening Date 19th May Paultons Park Broadlands Estate, Romsey Christmas Carols and Paultons Park www.paultonspark.co.uk Owls by Moonlight www.paultonspark.co.uk Rotary Romsey Test 18th & 19th December Michael Morpurgo: “Walk the Test Way” Hawk Conservancy Trust CONCERTS SUMMER A Lifetime in Stories, 27th September SUNDAYS 18th July – 6th September www.walkthetestway.org.uk Christmas Hampshire Romsey War Memorial Park Mottisfont Farmers Market Bandstand at 2.30pm Storytelling Festival 20th December Lunchtime Concerts in Romsey Summer Carnival 5th to 10th October Romsey Romsey Abbey most Parade 19 July Tuesdays from 1.10pm Happy Halloween Carols in Romsey Market www.RomseyAbbey.org.uk Stockbridge Open Gardens 15th October to Place Monday 25th & 26th July 2nd November 21st December Rose season 2pm – 5pm Paultons Park June | Mottisfont Stockbridge High Street www.paultonspark.co.uk Thruxton Historic DemFest at Sir Harold Remembrance 6th & 7th June Hillier Gardens 26th July Day Parade Thruxton Motorsport Centre 8th November Market Days in Trout n About 2nd August Don’t miss! Romsey Festival of Youth Stockbridge High Street Test Valley Music 20th June to 3rd July www.stockbridgebusiness. Hampshire Farmers’ Markets www.rfoym.org.uk co.uk/event/trout-n-about ench Fr Market in Romsey: A Flight at the Movies 29 March, 29 November 27th June French Market in Andover: Hawk Conservancy Trust 24 April, 10 July Antiques, Collectables & Decorative Arts Fair: 17 May, 18 October ’sAndover Artisan Markets: 15 March,19 April, 17 May, 21 June, www.VisitTestValley.co.uk to find out more and plan your visit. Connect with us... 19 July, 16 August, 20 September, 18 @Visit-Test-Valley @visit_test_valley @VisitTestValley October, 15 November, 20 December. Test Valley Visitor Guide 2020 5 Connect yourself with the past... King Johns House Test Valley’s long and fascinating heritage attracts visitors from far and wide. It is a destination steeped in captivating stories of times gone by. This year unveils the area’s links to the Mayflower as it celebrates 400 years since it set sail from Southampton. Test Valley also enjoys medieval graffiti! There’s monthly talks and a busy events iconic links to a fascinating literary history that can be programme to be enjoyed by all the family, discovered throughout the district. Your visit will bring you closer to an abundance of historic architecture, as Test If you are searching for Norman architecture, Romsey Abbey Valley boasts more Iron Age hill forts than anywhere else in is one of the finest examples in southern England. Today, it’s Hampshire and 6 watermills in Andover that date back to an active parish church and venue for many music events the Domesday Book....step back in time and discover and organ recitals, so perhaps catch a concert while you it for yourself.