Walking Hampshire's Test Way: The long-distance trail and 15 day walks (British Walking)

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Mottisfont is also home to a large Grade-II listed tithe barn, which has been converted into accommodation. 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. 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.

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. Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.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. The Rivers Test and Itchen are Hampshire's two premier rivers although I'm sure there would be advocates for the Avon, even though it rises in Wiltshire and flows to the sea in Dorset. Having lived in Winchester-Southampton for the last 30 years the Itchen is the river I know best. The River Test is a bit of a mystery to me and I suspect to many others. What this book does is make people want to explore it. It gives the reader no excuse except for laziness. The guidance cannot be bettered; the maps are superb, the details of handling the logistics, where to get refreshments and where to stay are excellent, even the lovely photographs are taken on clear sunny days; what is not to like? 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.