Taking a walk in the country side - walk of the week

This six-mile walking adventure starts at the roundabout at the eastern end of the High Street at Stockbridge.

There is parking to the north of the roundabout on the west side of the A30. After parking head for the roundabout and cross the High Street (Test Way signpost) and head towards the White Hart Public House and turn right just before it down Trafalgar Way (0 miles). When it comes to an end (0.11m) continue on the Test Way along the former route of the Andover to Redbridge Railway.

When there are field gates on both sides of the track (0.27m) go left through a car park onto a minor road. Turn left along it only for 40 metres and take a narrow path on the right just before a post and rail fence. The path goes steeply uphill through woods to emerge onto the A3057 the road from Stockbridge to Romsey (0.40m).

Turn right along the road taking great care and keeping to the righthand side of the road. Cross over to the other side when there is a verge that side and go left onto a tarmac driveway to Steepleton Hill (0.49m). Immediately take the middle of three tracks towards Penny Lane Farm on a vehicular track. Pass some houses and keep going and go through a field gate where there is a sign to Penny Lane Farm (0.79m) still on the vehicular track. Where there is a nice house on the left leave the vehicular track by taking a left fork onto a footpath between hedges (0.9m). Pass to the right of a modern house (0.94m) after which the enclosed path continues. When reaching an open area by some barns (1.10m) keep in the same direction passing to the right of the barns back onto a vehicular track again between hedges. After bending left (1.37m) the track exits onto Somborne Park Road (1.50m).

Turn right along the road and on reaching the entrance to North Park Farm on the right go left passing to the righthand side of a pair of field gates (1.66m). Keep along the outside of the woods on the right. At the far-right corner of the field (1.96m) bear slightly right to continue in the same direction in another field now with the wood called The Plantation on the left. At the far-left corner of the field (2.19m) continue in the same direction on a path through a wood to reach the B3049 the Stockbridge to Winchester Road (2.24m).

Taking care cross the road to take a path leading to a pedestrian gate onto Stockbridge Down. Now take a path slightly right passing to the right of a couple of silver birch trees crossing a couple of tracks while doing so and onto a path into the undergrowth. Follow it going fairly straight ignoring other options to the left and right. When fields come into view the path descends into a valley at the northeast boundary of Stockbridge Down (2.46m). At the bottom turn left to follow a route keeping just inside the Down. The path climbs steadily to Woolbury Iron Age hill fort. When the path levels out (2.84m) and the fort ramparts are on the right turn right to climb up the bank and turn left along the ramparts. Views to the north open up (see the photo). Just before a group of trees bend down left to the path below (2.96m). Go right and across a stile next to a field gate and descend a steep path. On reaching a grassy glade near the bottom (3.03m) follow the faint path to the left just inside the northwest boundary of the Down. Do not go through a pedestrian gate to the right but keep inside the Down at the bottom of a slope. At 3.25m descend down to a field gate and through a pedestrian gate next to it onto a bridleway between hedges. On reaching a farm road go straight on (3.65m) along it to Fair View Farm. At a T-junction by an archway go right to reach the A30 (3.82m).

Turn right along the A30 keeping to the righthand side and stepping onto the verge when there is on-coming traffic. At the third electricity pole on the left cross over the road and go left down the entrance road to Sandy Down Cottage (4.01m). At the entrance to the Cottage go left down a waymarked path on the outside of the boundary fence. The path bends left and continues with Leckford Golf Course off to the right. It widens from a path to a track and then heads across the golf course (4.45m) – watch your back! The track ends on the A3057 the road from Stockbridge to Andover (4.83m).

Take care and go straight across the road and through a kissing gate onto the Test Way and turn left along it. The route passes under the Whiteshape Railway Bridge (5.00m). At 5.54 miles the Test Way joins a shared used path next to the A3057 which leads to a roundabout (5.74m) go straight on here. You then reach the car parking along the side of what is now the A30 and whether you started here or at the White Hart the walk will have been 6 miles. There are of course other places down the High Street for refreshment should you need it at the end of the walk and the town is well worth exploring.

If you enjoyed this walk, the Romsey Ramblers regularly explore this part of Hampshire and their walks programme can be found on the Internet. Follow the instructions to join their walks and mention to the leader that you have joined through this walk in the Daily Echo.

Richard Kenchington, Hampshire Area Walking Environment Officer of the Ramblers’ Association.