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Walk 13 Stonymarsh, Mottisfont, Kimbridge and Michelmersh

Walk 14 Lockerley, Mottisfont and Dunbridge

Walk 15 Romsey, Fishlake Meadows Nature Reserve and Greatbridge

Appendix A Route summary tables

Appendix B Itinerary planner

Appendix C Accommodation near the Test Way

Appendix D Useful contacts

Appendix E Further reading

Test Way direction post at Mottisfont (Stage 6, Walks 13 & 14)

INTRODUCTION

From Houghton Bridge (Walk 12)

For some, the magic of the River Test is all about fresh water fly-fishing but for others it is simply the lure of a sparkling river famously described as ‘gin clear’. The Test flows majestically the 40 miles (65km) from its source in the hamlet of Ashe near Overton in north Hampshire to the edge of Southampton Water. There is though, so much more to this land of vibrant green – its variety of landscape, gently sloping tree-clad hills, the occasional remnant of a former water meadow or chalk grassland – all set against a backdrop of a fascinating history and geology. Add to that the vast array of wildflowers, plants and wildlife inhabiting the various Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – including Stockbridge Down, a haven for many species of butterfly – and it is not difficult to understand the attraction of a place that so completely defines pastoral England.