An overview of walking the Test Way including links to walking information, walking equipment, walking holidays, walking maps and travel related to walking

Test Way 74km / 46 miles part of the Walking on the Web guide to walking in England

Start Totton Hampshire SU360140 Finish Inkpen Beacon Berkshire SU365622

Map Ordnance Survey Explorer 131, 158 and OL22

Information by Region

Maps and Guides

Makers of Equipment

Walking Holidays

Walking Competitions

Equipment Retailers

Walking Festivals

Legend
	Serviced accommodation
	Unserviced accommodation
	Bus route
	Shop for provisions
	Cafe / Restaurant
	First Aid / Pharmacy
	Train
	Airport
Grading
	gradual ascents or descents along well defined paths or tracks. Suitable for novice walkers
	considerable ascents and descents over moderate fell type terrain
	strenuous sometimes exposed routes requiring map reading and navigational skills

Calculating walking distances

Depart Totton Arrive Total time hrs Distance km / miles Altitude change Negligible Difficulty Intersecting Routes   Map Ordnance Survey Explorer OL22 New Forest and 131 Romsey

From Totton in Hampshire through Wiltshire to the Inkpen Beacon in Berkshire

Starting above the tidal stretch of the River Test in Totton on the western outshirts of Southampton the walk crosses a small marshy delta from west bank to east then along the side of the railway line for a short distance before heading over to Manor House Farm. Here the route follows the edge of an industrial estate turning right at the M27 to meet up with a minor road to take you under the motorway.

Turning left again takes you past Manor Farm and back to the Test. The path now follows the edge of a wood up to the second crossing of the river. Cross and follow the track to Moorcourt and the minor road at Wade Bridge over the River Blackwater.

Don't cross the bridge but head north along the road for a short distance before forking to the right to follow the edge of Moorcourt Copse, Ridge Copse and Yewtree Copse.

Breaking away from the wood but keeping it to the left the path meets a lane. Take this lane to the right and it will eventually come out on to the A3090.

Although the route doesn't enter Romsey it is only a short walk into the centre and Broadlands.

The Test Way does not cross the bridge but turns down a road to the left and out on to the flood plain heading for Squabb Wood, Roke Manor and Roke Manor Farm.

Short field crossings takes you past Stanbridge Earls to Awkbridge and out to the B3084 towards Dunbridge . At the staggered crossroads take the path opposite the road to Kent's Oak over a field to enter a wood to cross a railway line to cross the River Dunn to arrive in Mettisfont with its gardens and Abbey.

From Mettisfont head over to Oakley Farm and the third crossing of the Test and Lower Brook for the fourth! Along this section of the Test it takes several routes across the valley.

Lower Brook sees the arrival of the Monarch's Way to join the route along a section of disused railway line through Horsebridge and past John of Gaunt's Deer Park. The Monarch's Way then departs at the crossroads with the Clarendon Way at the top end of the park to leave the Test Way to continue on the old track up to Stockbridge, West Down and Chilbolton where it makes its fifth crossing to Wherwell.

From Wherwell take the track out to the New Barn and on to the rigth into Harewood Forest. The route goes a short distance into the forest before re-emergaing on the B3048 to enter Forton and Middleton. At the crossroads in Middleton take the left turn out of the village to where it meets another minor road from the left. Opposite is a path through the trees and over the old railway line. The track shirts the edge of the forest to arrive at Fox Cotts.

A series of tracks and paths then leads past Faulkner's Down Farm and Lower Wyke Farm and onto St Mary Bourne, Hurstbourne Tarrant and Ibthorpe

Grims Ditch

Linkenholt

Sheepless Hill up to Inkpen Hill and the Inkpen Beacon where it meets the Wayfarer's Way

The Ham Hill or Inkpen White Horse is also here to see.

A short walk north through Inkpen to Kintbury will bring you to the Kennet and Avon Walk or the nearest railway station if you prefer.

Further Information

Hampshire County Council

E-mail WalkingontheWeb with your thoughts, suggestions & questions