Sunday Walk - Dean to Mottisfont [Extra Walk] [Salisbury Trip]

Remote West Hampshire chalk downlands: varied Woodlands, the scenic valleys of the Wallop Brook and the Dun and Test Rivers and Broughton Down Nature Reserve

 

Length: 27.7 km (17.2 mi) [shorter option: 22.6 km/14.1 mi, splits halfway through]

Ascent/Descent: 438/451m 

Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ½ hours [short walk: 326/341m, 5 hrs] 

Toughness: 7 out of 10 [short walk: 5 out of 10]

 

09.08 Southampton Central train from Salisbury (usually platform 6), arrives Dean 09.20. 

Return from Mottisfont & Dunbridge at xx.29. 

Buy a Mottisfont Return.

 

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. From 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 12^th 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 Grey Hound and The Tally Ho! in Broughton (11.4 km/7.1 mi), come a bit early with this early start to the walk, so it’s either The Boot Inn, in Houghton (1.2 km off-route after 16.3 km/10.1 mi, food to 14.30) or The Crown Inn, in King’s Somborne (17.7 km/11.1 mi, food to 16.00). 

Tea: The Mill Arms Inn in Dunbridge, metres from the station (open all day, food to 18.00), or one of the options at Mottisfont Gardens, if walking the short walk.

 

For a summary, map, height profile, walk directions, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.265