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 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 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
1 comment:
Of yesterday's 12, 2 had returned to London, but 1 other had newly arrived, so there were 11 in town (13 in fact, see below), of which 1 had 'foot' (spending the day buying new boots and walking them in), and one other did some sightseeing, so n=9 were on the walk, of which 2 walked the short walk.
Compared to yesterday, the mist was lighter and maybe a bit higher up and never produced any drizzle or spittle, but views were still severely limited. Mud wasn't much of an issue (it's chalky subsoil).
Spring flowers were in full blossoming action, including the first bluebells we have seen. There were a few dozens with bells out at least, in 3 different places.
We were a bit late for our booked table in Kings Somborne, which only matters because they had a second sitting booked in, but we finished our very good meals right on time.
Reaching the finish in-between trains meant we had time for a drink at The Mill Arms, before the 17.29 train.
We then got contacted by 2 otter SWC-ies who had arrived on Saturday morning and walked to Stonehenge and today some short version of tomorrow's walk, to include them in our dining out in Salisbury. So we did: drinks at the Spoons, dinner at The Bishop's Mill.
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