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Test Way Walking Holiday
River Walking Holiday
in Hampshire Southern England
from Inkpen Beacon to Eling
in 6 days
5 nights and 4 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
A 44 miles walking from following the River Test in Hampshire from Inkpen to Eling.
This is one of our Hampshire Walking Holidays, and also one of our River Walking Holidays.
Test Way Walking Holiday
River Walking Holiday in Hampshire, Southern England
from Inkpen Beacon to Eling
via Stockbridge, Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey and Broadlands
This 44 mile self guided Test Way walking holiday takes in Hampshire, England and is a great introduction to walking holidays.
The Test Way walking holiday passes through some of the River Test’s most spectacular landscapes full of wildlife and heritage.
The Test Way walking holiday can be combined with the Clarendon Way, or the Solent Way for a longer walking holiday.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Test Way Walking Holiday
Inkpen Beacon to Eling
Suggested Tour Duration:
5 nights, 4 days walking
Total Distance:
44 miles/70 kms
Min/max daily distance:
9/13 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
Easy
Features:
Stockbridge
Mottisfont Abbey
Romsey Abbey
Broadlands
This route connects with:
Clarendon Way
Solent Way
Test Way Walking Holiday
River Walking Holiday in Hampshire, Southern England
from Inkpen Beacon to Eling
5 nights and 4 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Inkpen
To start your walking holiday you make your own to Inkpen area. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided river walking holiday.
Day 2: Inkpen Beacon to St Mary Bourne 11 miles easy
You leave Inkpen Beacon in Berkshire with great views of Salisbury cathedral’s spire. The path descends into Hampshire through the village of Linkenholt. This area has long been popular with authors such as Jane Austen. The path passes through Hurstborne Tarrant, a pretty little village. On along the course of the Bourne rivulet and past the nine arch viaduct at Hurstborne Priors.
Day 3: St Mary Bourne to Stockbridge 13 miles easy
From St Mary Bourne the path crosses farmland and skirts the end of Harewood Forest. You pass through Longparish with its many listed buildings and 13th century church and past garden of The Plough Pub. On along the river bank through the hamlet of Forton. The route from West Down to Stockbridge uses an old railway. Stockbridge’s main street is built on a chalk causeway and the town is full of fine and interesting shop and pubs.
Day 4: Stockbridge to Romsey 10 miles easy
From Stockbridge along the old railway you walk through the common with its reedbeds and waterfowl. Here the Clarendon Way (Winchester to Salisbury trail) crosses the Test Way. The trail soon reaches the National Trust property of Mottisfont Abbey with its walled garden and famous old rose collection. On through woodlands with views of 10th century Romsey Abbey. Past Sadlers Mill to the Medieval Market town of Romsey with its selection of shops and pubs.
Day 5: Romsey to Eling 9 miles easy
Leaving Romsey the trail passes the edge of Broadlands, the Grand Palladian Mansion and former home of Lord Louis Mountbatten. There is plenty of time to visit this fine house and gardens. A little way further on the path passes through a nature reserve with reedbeds and saltmarsh full or birds and rare plants. The path crosses the river for the last time by the Salmon Leap Pub and finishes at Eling wharf on Southampton Water. The Totton Southampton area is a great place to spend a few days and extra nights can be arranged. At Southampton the Test Way connects with the Solent Way.
Day 6: Depart after breakfast
Depart after Breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the Southampton area
We can transfer you to your car or station.
Inkpen Beacon to Eling
in England UK
6 day itinerary
4 days walking and 5 nights
Suggested Itinerary
| Day 1: | arrive St Mary Bourne | |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in St Mary Bourne | |
| Day 2: | transfer to route, Inkpen Beacon to St Mary Bourne | 11 miles |
| Day 3: | St Mary Bourne to Stockbridge | 13 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Stockbridge | |
| Day 4: | Stockbridge to Romsey | 10 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Romsey | |
| Day 5: | Romsey to Eling, transfer to Romsey for overnight | 9 miiles |
| Day 6: | depart from Romsey |
6 day itinerary 5 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2025 | £740 | £1,135 | £1,235 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £59 per person depending on location
What’s included
in your Test Way Walking Holiday
in Hampshire, Southern England
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- Guide Book
- OS 1:25,000 map
Optional Extras
for your Test Way Walking Holiday
in Hampshire, Southern England
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
What’s not included
in your Test Way Walking Holiday
in Hampshire, Southern England
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
Test Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there:
- By Plane to Bournemouth, Southampton, Bristol London where we can arrange transfer to Inkpen Area
- By Car to Inkpen Area where parking is available
- By Train/Bus to Southampton or Totton
We have river walking holidays in the UK in England, Scotland and Wales.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Annandale Way in Scotland
- Avon Valley Path in Wiltshire and Hampshire
- Dart Valley Trail in Devon
- Exe Valley Way in Devon
- Nidderdale Way in Yorkshire
- Severn Way in Wales and England
- Shakespeares Way from Stratford upon Avon to London
- Speyside Way in Scotland
- Stour Valley Way in Dorset
- Teesdale Way in Northern England
- Test Way in Hampshire
- Thames Path from the Cotswolds to London
- Wye Valley Walk in Wales
