Walking Hampshire's Test Way - Front Cover

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The long-distance trail and 15 day walks

Guidebook to walking the 71km (44 mile) Test Way in Hampshire from high on the chalk downs of Inkpen Beacon to the Eling Tide Mill near Southampton Water. Following the beautiful, crystal clear River Test, it passes picturesque villages and fascinating historic sites. Also includes 15 day walks to explore this lovely part of pastoral England.

Printed book + eBookBest value ~~£29.90~~ £22.42 Full guidebook plus the digital edition — 50% off the eBook

Printed book £14.95 Full guidebook with maps & profiles. Available and ready to dispatch

eBook £14.95 Digital edition for your eReader. Download from your Cicerone Library

The eBook is also sold by Google Play Books, Apple Books, Amazon Kindle and Rakuten Kobo.

After completing your purchase, GPX files will be available to download from My Library

Quick facts

Trail name: Walking Hampshire’s Test Way
Location: Hampshire, Southern England, UK (North Wessex Downs → Southampton Water)
Total distance: ~71 km / ~44 miles
Typical duration: ~8 days (can be combined into a 2–3 day journey)
Start: Inkpen Beacon (North Wessex Downs)
Finish: Eling Tide Mill (near Southampton Water)
Route type: Long‑distance riverside walking route in stages
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (suitable for walkers of all abilities)
Terrain: River Test valley paths, chalk downs, rolling countryside
Navigation: 8 stages + 15 circular day walks with 1:50,000 OS maps and GPX files included
Best season: Year‑round walking (fair weather recommended for best experience)

Detailed overview

The Test Way and surrounding countryside offer a variety of gentle walking opportunities in Hampshire, from scenic day walks to the full 71km (44-mile) long-distance trail through the picturesque Test Valley. Linking the towns of Stockbridge and Southampton from Inkpen Beacon, the Test Way follows peaceful riverside paths and can be enjoyed year-round, making it perfect for beginners, families, or anyone seeking a long-weekend walking escape.

This Cicerone guidebook combines the full Test Way with 15 circular day walks (6 – 14km) to explore the pastoral Test Valley, ideal for all abilities, from local day trips to multi-day adventures. With detailed route descriptions, OS mapping and GPX files, you will have everything you need to explore this beautiful countryside that's easily accessible from Newbury, Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton.

The Test Way is divided into eight manageable stages (5–14km), which can be combined for weekend itineraries to suit your pace and experience
Day walks are presented in three sections: Inkpen Beacon and Wherwell, Chilbolton and Stockbridge, and Houghton and Totton, allowing you to explore the area surrounding your accommodation
Public transport and refreshment details are provided for all, with advice on where to find accommodation along the Test Way
Downloadable GPX files are provided as a digital alternative alongside OS 1:50,000 mapping and detailed route descriptions for every stage and day walk through Hampshire
History, geology and wildlife information is also included to enrich your journey across tree-clad hills, chalk grasslands and former water meadows

Explore the Test Way and the surrounding valley with this comprehensive, trusted guidebook. Enjoy Hampshire’s tranquil rivers, historic towns, and charming countryside on a relaxing 2-3 day weekend trail, a beginner-friendly introduction to long-distance walking, or a series of shorter day walks.

Where and when to go

Seasons

All year

Centres

Beginning at Inkpen Beacon, the Test Way passes close to or through St Mary Bourne, Whitchurch, Stockbridge, King's Somborne, Broughton, Mottisfont, Romsey and ends at Eling Totton.

Difficulty

All abilities are catered for. Several of the walks and the first half of the Test Way are perhaps more of a challenge. The second half is fairly flat as are the majority of the walks. No special equipment required.

Must See

Inkpen Beacon; Whitchurch Silk Mill; Chilbolton Common; Longstock Park Water Garden; Danebury Iron Age hill fort; Stockbridge Down; Mottisfont Abbey; Romsey Abbey, Romsey Signal Box - restored - formerly part of the dismantled 'Sprat and Winkle' railway; Broadlands House Romsey; Lower Test Nature Reserve; Eling Tide Mill Totton

Which format is best for me?

Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.

ISBN	9781852849535
Availability	Published
Published	12 July 2018
Reprinted	10 February 2025
Pages	160
Weight	190g

eBook

The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.

Updates

Updated 11 March 2025
March updates
Updates, with thanks to Chris Rayers
Page 34 top)
The stile by the tennis court has been replaced by a kissing gate
Page 34 bottom)
The two redundant stiles have been replaced by three functioning stiles
Page 39 bottom)
The track leading to Faulkners Down Farm has now been resurfaced
Author updates
Page 20 top left hand column)
Line three delete ‘no’ and insert ‘limited’
Line six after ‘Wherwell’ insert ‘once The White Lion Inn has fully re-opened following its extensive refurbishment’
Page 56
The Test Way direction post at Horsebridge has been replaced with a single finger post denoting the Monarch’s Way that also shares the route with the Test Way

Meet the author

Malcolm Leatherdale

View author

Malcolm Leatherdale has lived for the past 20 years just a stone's throw away from the River Test the world-renowned iconic chalk stream. He has spent much of his life in Hampshire, particularly Winchester, both as a former student at Peter Symonds College and later as a solicitor.

Malcolm is an active cyclist and has also run many marathons including the London Marathon six times. He has written several books and has published other articles on various topics.

He hopes that his guidebooks will encourage others of all ages and abilities to experience the delights that come from walking generally and especially around Winchester and central Hampshire.

Walking Hampshire's Test Way