The Test Way is a 44-mile long distance walking route from high on the chalk downs at Inkpen to follow much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water.

Leg (1) Combe Gibbet to Hurstbourne Tarrant (9 miles)

1. Buy an Advance single ticket from Paddington to Hungerford (£26.95 with rail card, or £27.70 for ANY off-peak train)
2. Train from Paddington (10:36) to Hungerford (11:25)
3. Walk to Town Hall and catch bus 3 (12:35) to Rolf’s Farm (12:54) near Upper Green , south of Inkpen, and walk 1.2 miles to Combe Gibbet, the start of the Test Way
   • Alternatively, a taxi (takes 20 mins, 8 miles) from Hungerford station to Combe Gibbet (the start of the Test Way) which will get you to the start of the walk over an hour earlier than using the bus
4. Walk the walk (8-9 miles) Combe Gibbet to Hurstbourne Tarrant (where there is no bus service anywhere near!)
5. EITHER Return home as follows:
   • Hire taxi from Hurstbourne Tarrant to Andover (6 miles, 10 minutes) using Bourne Valley Taxis / Andover Taxis (07770 372 736)
   • Buy Advance single (specific train) Andover to Clapham Junction (£16.05) or super off-peak single (any off-peak train) £21.50
   • Train home from Andover to Clapham Junction but may need to change at Basingstoke or Woking
6. OR Stay overnight at the soon-to-open (early June 2026) pub The Great Decoy

Leg (2) Hurstbourne Tarrant to Fox Cottages near Middleton (7 miles)

1. EITHER travel from home as follows:
   • Train to Andover from Clapham Junction
   • Hire taxi from Andover Station to Hurstbourne Tarrant (6 miles, 10 minutes) using Bourne Valley Taxis / Andover Taxis (07770 372 736)
2. OR Cooked breakfast at the overnight stay
3. Do walk to Fox Cottages near Middleton (in the middle of nowhere but on a bus route!)
4. There’s a 15-minute bus (at xx:05 & xx:35) to Andover. See Stagecoach bus 76 timetable
5. Train home from Andover

Leg (3) Fox Cottages near Middleton to Stockbridge (11 miles)

1. Train to Andover (from Clapham Junction at 27 and 57, takes an hour or so, Anytime Day Return £26.55)
2. There’s a 15-minute bus (at xx:10 & xx:40) from the bus station to Fox Cottages near Middleton. See Stagecoach bus 76 timetable
3. Do walk to Stockbridge
4. Bus 73 Stockbridge 5:22pm – Andover 5:50 (school days only – check here)
5. Train home from Andover

Leg (4) Stockbridge to Romsey (10 miles)

1. Train to Winchester (from CJ at 10:12-11:04, 10:27-11:26 change Basingstoke, 11:12-12:04) Anytime Day Return £26.60
2. Bus 16 Winchester City Road 12:26 – Stockbridge 13:02 see Stagecoach route 16
3. Do walk to Romsey
4. Train home via Winchester (change at Southampton) Evening Out Single to Winchester £3.55

Leg (5) Romsey to Eling (9 miles)

1. Train to Southampton (from CJ at 10:12 – 11:22)Anytime Day Return £31.75
2. Train to Romsey at 11:37-11:51) Anytime Day Single £3.90
3. Do walk to Eling
4. Walk to Totton Station (it’s not far)
5. Train to Southampton (hourly at xx:44, otherwise a bus) Evening Out Single £2.50
6. Train home from Southampton

Some links

• The Test Way (too detailed and going northwards rather than southwards)
• https://testvalley.gov.uk/assets/attach/16066/12pp-WALKING-THE-TEST-WAY-FINAL-VERSION.pdf (out of date info on buses and accommodation))