Whitchurch - St Mary Bourne - River Test - Whitchurch

Richard Clayton

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This is the first of two walks centred around the River Test in the Test Valley. Whitchurch is a picturesque starting point for our walk, with much of the town being a conservation area. As you head out deep into the countryside, some of the best variety Hampshire has to offer opens out. Following a dismantled railway, we head deep into farmland, pass a woodland burial site and then to the thatched village of St Mary Bourne. Here you'll find a peaceful bench to rest, as well as a very welcoming pub offering superb food and ales. We then join the Test Way to Longparish to follow the river as it meanders back to our start. Throughout this walk wildlife abounds, much of it protected by sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The River Test has, throughout history, provided power for several water mills along its length, one of which, The Silk Mill, is Britain's only working silk mill and easily accessible to visitors from the town centre.

Walkingworld would like to thank Julian Holt for originally contributing this walk route and also thanks to Richard Clayton who has now agreed to take care of this walk guide. August 2019.

England - South England - Hampshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Mostly Flat, Nature Trail, Pub, Public Transport, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

5/19/2018 - Nigel Williamson

This is an excellent walk through some delightful countryside. There are many attractive properties of architectural interest and the walk follows or crosses two dismantled railway lines.1) The Didcot, Newbury, Southampton Line and 2) The Longparish line nicknamed The Nile Valley Line. This is an enjoyable day out with some convenient pubs en route.The instructions are easy to follow but there have been some minor changes. Waymark 3. The left pointing marker has gone.Waymark 8 The stile is gone. It is best to keep to the left of the hedge until you come to the road. Turn right and walk some 30 mtrs to the bridleway sign on your left. Waymark 26 We did not see an electricity pylon. The direction of the path is quite clear.

6/7/2012 - Catherine Smith

The walk was as described, with lovely views. The only negative would be that some of the tracks haven't been used for a while so wearing 3/4 length trousers was not the best choice - lots of stinging nettles!!