DAC is away...
Length: 27.7 km (17.2 mi) [shorter option: 22.6 km/14.1 mi,
splits post-lunch]
Ascent/Descent: 438/453 m
Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ½ hours [short walk:
326/341m, 5 hrs]
Toughness: 7 out of 10 [short walk: 5 out of 10]
09.20 Exeter St. David’s train from Waterloo (09.27
CJ), changing at Salisbury for Chandler’s Ford (arrives 10.42,
usually platform 4; departs 10.56, usually platform 6), arrives Dean 11.08.
Return from Mottisfont & Dunbridge at xx.56
via Salisbury (from 113 mins journey time) or at xx.14 via Southampton
Central (125 mins journey time). Buy a Mottisfont Return.
Or make it a weekend: stay at The Mill
Arms Inn in Dunbridge and explore Mottisfont
Abbey & Gardens and/or walk all or part of SWC 58 (Dunbridge to Romsey) on Sunday.
This walk explores woods and rolling chalk hills in the Dun, Wallop
Brook and Test Valleys of remote West Hampshire. Rising out of the Dun Valley
through varied woods and along field boundaries and farm tracks (some
tarmacked), the walk takes on a very different aspect upon approaching the
steep sided chalk downs near Broughton, with splendid views north east across
the Wallop Brook valley. After lunch in Broughton you follow the rim of the
wide valley south easterly to cross the meadows of the Test River, Hampshire's
longest and finest chalk stream. The Test is a prominent feature of the
afternoon, as its several arms are crossed twice.
In between you climb again, up to the hills along the easterly side of the Test
valley, walk through some quiet woods and past scenic side valleys to then
steeply descend back to the Test Meadows. The finish is through the NT-owned
Mottisfont Estate, past Mottisfont Abbey, a historical priory, and its grounds,
as well as the 12th century St. Andrews church, one of the few Grade
I-listed churches (on a short diversion).
The River Test offers a great wild swimming opportunity mid-afternoon.
Lunch: The Greyhound, in Broughton (11.4
km/7.1 mi, food to 14.30), as well as an earlier option and a couple of later
options (on the full walk only) [see page 2 of the pdf for details].
Tea: The Mill Arms Inn in Dunbridge, metres
from the station, or one of the options at Mottisfont Gardens, if walking the
short walk.
For summary, map, height profile, walk
directions and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.265
1 comment:
A delightful walk with many wild spring flowers in abundance. #6 made the trip including 3 very welcome newcomers. Ideal walking weather #warm_and_sunny.
Cowslips carpeted large areas and we passed several bluebell woods the biggest and best being in the grounds of the estate with scent so intoxicating it stopped us in our tracks. Cow parsley lined the lanes and hedgerows. Pheasants, frogs, ducks, horses and wild deer are showed up to entertain us on route. We stopped at the Greyhound in Broughton for refreshment, the service was good but perhaps the Tally Ho! Inn might offer more satisfying options for food.
We stayed together as a group with enjoyable conversations and lively company making for a great day out. Cancellations meant that we had a choice to make for our return journey. 3 opting to wait for next Salisbury train and 3 opting to go via Southampton Central.
The journey bank to Waterloo was made all the more lively by the presence of jubilant Crystal Palace fans who had taken a win over the Saints. A fabulous day out.
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