– the National Cycle Network and parts of the Test Way
Two National Cycle Routes (NCRs) coincide with several stages and walks. Route 24 starts at Eastleigh (just north of Southampton) and finishes at Bath, only just touching Mottisfont where Stages 6 and 7 and Walks 13 and 14 also intersect. Route 246, which starts at Timsbury (north of Romsey) and finishes at Kintbury in West Berkshire, is much more a feature and first joins the old track bed of the former ‘Sprat and Winkle’ railway at Stonymarsh (Walk 13).
It then follows the old track bed for 0.6 miles (1km) to Lower Brook from where it continues straight on to Horsebridge (Stage 6). There, it joins Walk 12 for 0.7 miles (1.1km) to the crossover with the Clarendon Way and Walk 9 en route from Stockbridge. At Stockbridge (Stage 5), it continues along the old track bed for another 3 miles (5km) to Fullerton where it joins Walk 6 for a short distance before diverting along the road to Goodworth Clatford and then through Andover. The last encounter with the TW is where it crosses Stage 2 just north of St Mary Bourne on its way to Kintbury.
Maps
There are two series of OS maps: the 1:50,000 (2cm to 1km) Landranger series; and the more detailed 1:25,000 (4cm to 1km) Explorer series. The OS maps covering the TW and the 15 day walks are:
Landranger: 174,185 and 196
Explorer: OL22, 131, 132, 144 and 158
Waymarking, access and rights of way
Test Way waymark disc
The TW and the walks are reasonably well waymarked on fences, gate posts, fingerposts and marker posts although, bearing in mind the combined distance of the 8 stages and 15 walks is about 130 miles (210km), it is not surprising that there is some variation in the quality of waymarking here and there. The directions in this guide, together with the map extracts and the general waymarking and signage along the routes, should however make their navigation fairly straightforward.
Each stage or walk is shown on the respective map extract − please also refer to ‘Using this Guide’. The routes all follow the official rights of way although occasionally there are permissive stretches including the unusually described ‘public concessionary footpath’ − Stage 3. Stage 7 includes a working quarry, Walk 4 encounters a military firing range, and Walk 14 crosses the railway mainline.
The main rights of way and their markings are:
Footpaths Yellow arrow − walkers only
Bridleways Blue arrow − walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Restricted byways Purple arrow − walkers, cyclists, horse riders and carriage drivers
Byways Red arrow − as for restricted byways but also motorcycles and motorised vehicles (in effect, byways are open to all traffic and known as BOATS)
Protecting the countryside
When you’re out walking, please remember the main elements of the Countryside Code:
Leave gates and any property as you find them
Protect plants and animals
Take your litter home
Keep dogs under close control
Protect wildlife, plants and trees
Take special care on country roads
All the stages and walks pass through open countryside where there may be cattle. Please always check the latest advice, especially in light of the increasing number of reported cases of injury (more numerous than perhaps might be thought) that have been experienced by walkers with and without dogs. One source of advice is the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust, which publishes a brief guide called Walking with Cattle (please refer to the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust website listed in Appendix D for more information).
Using this guide
At the beginning of each stage is an information box providing the start and finish locations plus the respective grid references; the distance (miles/km); the minimum time to complete the stage; the Explorer map(s); and accommodation details (please also refer to Appendix C).
Please also look at the information box at the top of each stage or walk to check the refreshment outlets. As will be appreciated, there is no guarantee that all or any will be open as you happen to be passing.
Also included is basic public transport information. Some of the accommodation, refreshment outlets or public transport mentioned may be a short distance from the actual route of a stage, in which case please refer to the Itinerary planner (Appendix B). Similar information (other than accommodation) also appears in the information boxes for each of the 15 day walks.
A standard feature for each stage and walk is the inclusion of a short overview outlining the general terrain and any particular places of interest. For every route there is a map extract from the 1:50,000 OS Landranger series highlighting features referred to in the text in bold to assist in following the route. The overlays also show the route without detours or shortcuts. To be on the safe side though, it is always advisable to take the relevant OS Explorer map.
All the total distances shown for each stage and walk are in both metric and imperial rounded to the nearest ¼ mile and have been taken from OS Explorer maps. Any height quoted is in metres. The time for each stage or walk − to be regarded as the minimum − is based on 2.5 miles/hr (4km/hr).
GPX tracks
GPX tracks for the routes in this guidebook are available to download free at www.cicerone.co.uk/953/GPX. A GPS device is an excellent aid to navigation, but you should also carry a map and compass and know how to use them. GPX files are provided in good faith, but neither the author nor the publisher accept responsibility for their accuracy.
THE TEST WAY
The River Dun near Kimbridge (Stage 7/Walk 13)
STAGE 1
Inkpen Beacon to Hurstbourne Tarrant
| Start | Informal car park at road T-junction adjacent to the Wayfarer’s Walk (SU 369 621) |
| Finish | The community centre and recreation ground car park, Hurstbourne Tarrant (SU 385 528) |
| Distance | 13km (8 miles) |
| Time | 3hr 15min |
| Maps | OS Explorer 131 and 158 |
| Refreshments | Hurstbourne Tarrant: George & Dragon (01264 736277) (125 metres off route) |
| Public transport |
Trains to Andover, Hungerford, Kintbury and Newbury; bus services to Inkpen village from
|
