The River Anton starts just north west of Andover and runs south to join the River Test at Fullerton.

It has its own long-distance path a pdf guide to which can be downloaded from the Test Valley Borough Council web site.

This walk features both rivers and starts at a 12-space car park on Coley Lane, Chilbolton, just north of its junction with the A3057 and signposted “West Down Nature Reserve”.

The walk will take about three hours to complete and walking boots will be needed.

Leave the car park (0.00 miles) going east uphill but drop down right immediately to a path that runs below the road to Ivy Farm.

The wide path gradually climbs and at 0.33 miles bends sharp left. The path is between fences and levels out as the top of West Down is reached.

Join a track that serves a water supply works (0.47) and then go through a gate. Where the track goes left go straight on along a footpath (0.53), Chilbolton Observatory can be seen to the right.

On reaching a point where two paths run parallel ahead take the lefthand one continuing between fences. At 0.80 miles where it joins a roadway go left across the road to take another path also between fences.

When the fences end (0.97) the path continues through woods and starts a descent towards the River Test passing a sewage works off to the left.

Go down some steps and at 1.14 miles Coley Lane is reached. The road on the left leading uphill goes to the Cow Common Car Park if the other one is full and the walk can be started from here.

Go left along Coley Lane, but only to cross it to go down another path. There are glimpses of the River Test along this path.

Go through a pedestrian gate and continue bearing left where Chilbolton Recreation Ground is on the right (1.46 miles). Go through another pedestrian gate and turn right entering Chilbolton Cow Common keeping to the boundary on the right.

Bear left along a wide track around a cottage (1.57). On reaching a small car park (1.66) go left along a vehicular track. After a bridge bear left along a path that crosses the Common.

Cross a footbridge (1.80) and keep to the more obvious track going straight on. Go through a kissing gate and along a longer footbridge over the River Test (2.11).

On reaching Fullerton Road go left along it for 40 metres and take a footpath on the right uphill and in the process cross the former course of the railway opened in 1885 to link Fullerton (near where you started) with the Hurstbourne junction on the existing Andover to Basingstoke line.

Then there is a T-junction with another path; here go left into a field (2.19) and keep to the boundary on the left. On reaching a hedge do not go through it (2.26) but turn right following the hedge uphill as views back across the Test valley open up.

At the top of the ridge (2.50) go right on a path between hedges. Lovely views over Wallis Bottom open up with the Anton valley ahead. After a gate (2.68) follow the path ahead to descend to the A3057, reached through another gate, but take great care when exiting onto the road (2.85).

Cross the road and go through a field gate to follow an enclosed path ahead with a hedge on the left. On entering a tree belt (3.25) go immediately left on another path.

Cross a footbridge over the River Anton through a gate at the other end and then turn right along an enclosed path.

Cross a bridge over another watercourse. Go through a kissing gate onto a track and turn left along it (3.50).

This was the former railway line from Fullerton to Andover opened in 1865. On reaching a locked field gate (3.72) bend right onto an enclosed path uphill.

On reaching a field gate use the kissing gate to the right to continue ahead following a track next to the hedge (3.93) enjoying the views of the Anton valley below and the Test valley ahead.

The ridge walk ends at another Fullerton Road (4.39). Turn left along the road downhill. At the bottom (4.63) ignore the Longstock Park Road off to the right.

Cross the River Anton (4.73) with a lovely view of the Fullerton Corn Water Mill. Then go immediately down a path to the left, which goes under the A3057, bends left and joins a road.

Go right down the road the course of a railway near the site of the former Fullerton Station. Stay on it as it becomes a track and passes a Hampshire County Council sign.

The former railway track crosses the River Test (5.09). Cross a watercourse and turn left on a path immediately before the bridge taking the A3057 over the former railway line. The path exits onto Coley Lane opposite the car park where the walk started (5.27).

If you enjoyed this walk, the Andover Ramblers regularly explore this part of Hampshire and their walks programme can be found online.

Follow the instructions to join their walks and mention to the leader that you have joined through this walk in the Daily Echo.

Any problems using rights of way in Hampshire should be reported to countryside@hants.gov.uk

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