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.
I’m thinking of completing the walk in 5 stages. I’ve planned the first leg as follows:
Leg (1) Combe Gibbet to Hurstbourne Tarrant (8-9 miles)
Other web sites about the Test Way walk have suggested buses, pubs and accommodation. For this first leg I’ve found the information out of date, particularly with regard to local buses. So this is my plan:
- Train Paddington (10:08) to Hungerford (11:25)
- 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
- Walk the walk (8-9 miles) Combe Gibbet to Hurstbourne Tarrant!
- Hire taxi from Hurstbourne Tarrant to Andover Station (6 miles, 10 minutes) using Bourne Valley Taxis / Andover Taxis (07770 372 736)
- Alternatively, take the taxi to Hungerford (25 mins, 13 miles) or to Newbury (22 mins, 12 miles). These are on the same train line as the outgoing journey and hence cheaper (day return as against separate single tickets)
Leg (2 and beyond) still to be planned
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- https://testvalley.gov.uk/assets/attach/16066/12pp-WALKING-THE-TEST-WAY-FINAL-VERSION.pdf (out of date info)
Draft data from other sites
Subsequent legs, taken from other web sites, but the info may be outdated and these legs will not be how I will plan them.
| 3 miles Hurstbourne Tarrant to St Mary Bourne | Refreshments: George Inn or slightly further up the lane Bourne Valley Inn, St Mary Bourne. Accommodation: George Inn, St Mary Bourne http://www.georgeinnstmarybourne.co.uk, Bourne Valley Inn, St Mary Bourne http://www.bournevalleyinn.com Public Transport: Hurstbourne Tarrant is on a regular bus route to Newbury and Andover. St Mary Bourne has a regular bus route to Andover. |
| 5.5 miles St Mary Bourne to Longparish | Refreshments: The Cricketers Inn, Longparish http://www.thecricketersinnlongparish.com The Plough Inn, Longparish http://www.ploughinn.org Accommodation: Yew Tree Cottage, Longparish, http://www.yewcottagelongparish.com Public Transport: St Mary Bourne is on a bus route from Andover. Longparish is on a bus route from Andover. |
| 5 miles Longparish to West Down, Chilbolton | Refreshments: The Mayfly a lovely pub on the River Test, West Down, Chilbolton http://www.mayflyfullerton.co.uk The White Lion in Wherwell http://www.thewhitelionwherwell.co.uk Accommodation: The Peat Spade, Longstock – 2.4 miles away http://www.peatspadeinn.co.uk Public Transport: Longparish is on a bus route from Andover. West Down, Chilbolton is on a bus route from Andover. |
| 3 miles West Down, Chilbolton to Stockbridge | Refreshments: Lots of pubs and cafes to choose from along Stockbridge High Street. Accommodation: The White Hart Stockbridge, is right on the Test Way http://www.whitehartstockbridge.co.uk, The Grosvenor Hotel http://www.thegrosvenorstockbridge.com, The Three Cups Inn http://www.the3cups.co.uk, The Greyhound on the Test http://www.thegreyhoundonthetest.co.uk Public Transport: West Down is on the bus route from Andover. Stockbridge has bus services to Andover, Romsey, Winchester and Salisbury. Check the local timetables to plan your journey. |
| 5 miles Stockbridge to Mottisfont | Refreshments: John O’Gaunt Pub, Horsebridge http://www.johnofgaunt.co.uk Accommodation: Mill Arms, Dunbridge (1 mile walk from Mottisfont) http://www.millarmsdunbridge.co.uk Public Transport: Stockbridge has bus services to Andover, Romsey, Winchester and Salisbury. Check the local timetables to plan your journey. Mottisfont and Dunbridge train station with direct trains from London Waterloo, Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton. |
| 5 miles Mottisfont to Romsey | Refreshments: Lots of cafes and pubs in Romsey. Accommodation: The Palmerston Rooms, Palmerston St, Romsey http://www.thepalmerstonrooms.com, The Cromwell Arms, Mainstone, Romsey http://www.thecromwellarms.com Public Transport: Mottisfont and Dunbridge train station with direct trains from London Waterloo, Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton. Romsey train station goes direct to Southampton and Bath. Romsey regular bus routes to Winchester, Andover and Southampton. |
| 9 miles Romsey to Eling | Refreshments: Salmon Leap, Totton http://www.thesalmonleap-totton.foodndrink.uk, Anchor Inn, Totton http://www.anchorinntotton.co.uk Public Transport: Romsey train station goes direct to Southampton and Bath. Romsey regular bus routes to Winchester, Andover and Southampton. Regular buses and trains from Southampton to Totton daily. |
things change 
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