It is a while since I last walked from Stockbridge so I have decided to head that way today. Years ago it was a regular spot for me, but these days when I am at home and wish to take a long walk I generally head towards Cranborne Chase. However, the downs around Stockbridge have some good views and I’ve always found them quiet once you are away from the centre of the popular small town.
The starting point for my walk is the parking area besides the A30 on the edge of the town. At weekends this can be a busy spot but today there are plenty of spaces. I head off by walking back towards the town and crossing the A30 by the roundabout following the waymarker for the Test Way.
The route of the Test Way now leads beside the White Hart public house along Trafalgar Way. As this road turns to the right I keep straight ahead along the disused railway track which forms the Test Way.
This section of the walk follows the old route of the Andover to Redbridge railway line. Opened in 1865 the line was apparently known as the Sprat and Winkle Line, the origins of which are unclear. Like many other railways built in the mid 1800’s it followed the route of a canal. The Andover and Redbridge canal was completed in 1794 and operated for 63 years before the canal company decided the future was in railways. They changed the company name to the Andover and Redbridge Railway company and set about filling in the canal and laying tracks.
During World War I and II the railway was used to transport troops from their training camps on Salisbury Plain to the docks at Southampton and being a rural line also transported agricultural goods. It was one of the lines that fell victim of the “Beeching Cuts” and ceased to operate in 1963.
Three miles after leaving Stockbridge the route of the Test Way reaches the junction with the Clarendon Way and the Monarch’s Way, here I turn right.
The track leads to a bridge over Park Stream.
Soon I cross another stream, where cattle are wading in the water, and I carry on along the track towards Blacklake farm.
After passing the entrance to the farm the path becomes narrower as it heads towards the River Test.
This is an attractive stretch of the river which is crossed by a wooden footbridge.
On reaching Houghton I turn left along the road to pass Houghton Farmhouse and then I turn right into Faithfulls Drove still following the route of the Monarch’s and Clarendon Ways as they head along this minor road out of the village.
After passing an electricity substation, the tarmac lane becomes a track heading west towards farm buildings.
So far the track has been hedge lined, but soon after passing the barns there is no longer hedging on the left and there are good views over the fields.
Spotting a bench on the right I stop for a cup of tea and enjoy the view before continuing on along the route of the Clarendon and Monarch’s Ways. The Clarendon Way is a 24-mile long distance path between Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals. I have walked it a number of times in both directions.
The Monarch’s Way gets its name from following the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after his defeat by Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester. The route is 625 miles long, starting in Worcester and travelling through Stratford upon Avon, Stow on the Wold, Cirencester, Bristol, Yeovil, Lyme Regis and then through Dorset to continue along the south coast to Brighton before ending at Shoreham-by-the Sea.
The track now leads to Hayter’s Copse and then descends to pass Hayter’s Farm.
I have now reached the edge of Broughton. At the junction of bridleways I turn right along a track. Almost immediately the Clarendon and Monarch’s Ways turn to the left, I ignore this turning and continue along the track heading north to pass a derelict field barn.
I reach a junction of tracks where a bench is located, here I keep going straight ahead and the route becomes narrower and keeps heading north along Broughton Drove.
This drove goes along the edge of a solar farm where sheep are grazing under the solar panels. I am not particularly keen on the landscape being covered in this way, but recognise the need to create energy and would prefer to see this rather than a nuclear power station.
The track meets a minor road, just before reaching the road I turn right along another track heading north-east towards Houghton Down Farm.
Initially this track is tree or hedge-lined, but after passing the end of the solar farm the hedges disappear to provide good views over the surrounding farmland.
Reaching the A30 I turn right and walk along the grass verge by the main road. After passing the entrance to Houghton Down Farm I follow a restricted driveway running parallel to the road.
I pass the entrance to Meon Hill Farm business centre and then just after a fencing company I take a footpath on the left going towards the A30.
After going over a stile I cross the main road and take a footpath opposite which follows a path along the edge of fields.
There is evidence that this path is regularly walked, but it is not particularly well maintained. Fortunately after a while it becomes clearer as it heads north westerly.
On reaching Shepherd’s Bush the path goes to the left along the edge of fields. From here there are good views of Danebury Hill.
At a junction of tracks close to a minor road I turn right and follow a broad track heading north.
This track leads all the way to a minor road where I turn right and then almost immediately cross the road into a parking area and take a track that heads east towards Longstock.
This is a broad grassy track that passes disused farm buildings and then descends into Longstock to pass the cemetery before reaching St Mary’s Church. This church was rebuilt between 1876 and 1880 but still retains some features from the 13th century and the font dates from the 15th century.
Turning left I walk through the village to reach the Peat Spade. This is a pub that Lynnie and I used to regularly frequent over forty years ago. At that time we lived in Surrey but frequently returned to my home village just outside of Salisbury. Travelling down on a Friday after work we would have a brief stop in this pub for a sharpener to start off the weekend. We have not visited it in over twenty years so perhaps we should pop in for old times sake.
I turn right by the pub and walk along Bunny Lane heading out of the village. This lane soon crosses the River Test.
Continuing along this narrow lane I take a footpath on the right just before reaching the A3057 main road. This path leads to the route of the Test Way where I turn right and head along the disused railway track towards Stockbridge.
Nearing Stockbridge the route joins the pavement and I follow this back to my starting point. My walk has covered thirteen miles and has been very enjoyable. I am sure I will be heading back this way before too long.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer 131 – Romsey, Andover & Test Valley
You can view this 13 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
8th November 2024
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2024)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.