A guidebook to walking the Test Way between Inkpen Beacon in the North Wessex Downs and Eling Tide Mill near Southampton Water. Covering 71km (44 miles), this riverside route makes a gentle 8-day walk, though stages can be combined into a shorter 2–3 day overall journey. Also included are 15 circular day walks exploring the chalk downs and rolling countryside in and around the Test valley.

The Test Way is described in 8 stages of 5–14km (3–9 miles) in length, while the day walks range from 6–14km (4–9 miles). All the described routes can be walked year-round and are suitable for walkers of all abilities, taking between 2 and 4 hours to complete. 

• 1:50,000 OS maps included for each walk
• GPX files available to download
• Refreshment and public transport options are given for each walk
• Information on local history, geology and wildlife
• Easy access from Newbury, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Brief history of the Test Valley

The Andover and Redbridge canal and the ‘Sprat and Winkle’ railway

Geology and landscape

Plants and wildlife

Where to stay

Getting to and around the Test Way and to the walks

Walking the Test Way

Cycling – the National Cycle Network and parts of the Test Way

Maps

Waymarking, access and rights of way

Protecting the countryside

Using this guide

The Test Way

Stage 1 Inkpen Beacon to Hurstbourne Tarrant

Stage 2 Hurstbourne Tarrant to St Mary Bourne

Stage 3 St Mary Bourne to Longparish

Stage 4 Longparish to Wherwell

Stage 5 Wherwell to Stockbridge

Stage 6 Stockbridge to Mottisfont

Stage 7 Mottisfont to Romsey

Stage 8 Romsey to Eling Wharf Totton

Walks between Inkpen Beacon and Wherwell

Walk 1 Hurstbourne Tarrant and Ibthorpe

Walk 2 Whitchurch, Laverstoke and Freefolk

Walk 3 Longparish, Forton, Harewood Forest and Deadman’s Plack

Walk 4 Barton Stacey and Bransbury

Walk 5 Wherwell and Goodworth Clatford

Walks between Chilbolton and Stockbridge

Walk 6 Chilbolton, Fullerton, Goodworth Clatford and Upper Clatford

Walk 7 Chilbolton Observatory and Chilbolton Common

Walk 8 Danebury Iron Age hill fort and Longstock

Walk 9 Stockbridge and Marsh Court

Walk 10 Stockbridge Down and Little Somborne

Walks between Houghton and Totton

Walk 11 Houghton and Broughton

Walk 12 Houghton, King’s Somborne and Horsebridge

Walk 13 Stonymarsh, Mottisfont, Kimbridge and Michelmersh

Walk 14 Lockerley, Mottisfont and Dunbridge

Walk 15 Romsey, Fishlake Meadows Nature Reserve and Greatbridge

Appendix A Route summary tables

Appendix B Itinerary planner

Appendix C Accommodation near the Test Way

Appendix D Useful contacts

Appendix E Further reading

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

March 2025

March updates

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.