Walks from Romsey

Hampshire countryside and quiet lanes — a canal path, Tadburn Meadows, the boardwalks of Emer Bog and Knight Wood.

Time: 3h

Warnings: Nine stiles; can be boggy after wet weather; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs; take care at road crossings.

Walk details: Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

An excellent route; Delightful route; lovely start and end points. A long route with very little road walking (and only minor roads), much of it on forest tracks through managed woodland, taking in several nature reserves and a National Trust estate. Easy walking for the most part, a little gooey in places after heavy rain and with a few gates and some stiles; the main challenge is the length. Passes through Bentley Wood nature reserve and at least two other nature reserves, and takes in the National Trust's Mottisfont estate. Can be shortened by jumping on the train one stop from Dunbridge to Romsey.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 8h–15h30

Warnings: The approach to Romsey crosses an active gravel pit between Awbridge and Squabb Wood, which can require diversions, and the lower end of Squabb Wood can be very wet and difficult in winter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Baddesley Common was gorgeous; the next stretch, through Knight Wood, was wonderful. A varied route mixing tarmac with footpaths, woods and countryside, including Tadburn meadows nature reserve, Baddesley Common and Knight Wood. A few stiles and gates; the common can be wet and muddy after rain and the final suburban miles run near the M3.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: A quarter urban. Flexford Road is a nasty stretch with almost no refuge from frequent traffic and no footpath; an alternative via Fleming Park avoids it. The bridge over Monk's Brook near Chandler's Ford may be broken and closed, requiring a short diversion. Stiles and gates on North Baddesley Common.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A gorgeous route; Beautiful, flat walk through the water meadows; Stunning views. After a dull few kilometres on pavement beside the main road out of Romsey, the route becomes a pleasant walk on forestry tracks, woodland paths and field boundaries through water meadows, with a steady climb and finishing alongside the Itchen into Winchester. Some rough terrain and narrow gaps. Within the South Downs area, passing Ampfield Wood, Hursley Forest and the Itchen water meadows.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h

Lunch: Two pubs and a small shop at Hursley (midway), and a tea room at St Cross on the edge of Winchester.

Warnings: A busy road crossing near Badger Farm (Winchester) is best made at a nearby footbridge; a narrow footbridge over the mainline railway near St Cross makes the route walkers-only. Woods can be muddy in winter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h–5h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Reverse direction: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Beautiful low-lying test valley walk. A low-lying Test valley walk on field paths, quiet lanes and a riverside boardwalk and with woodland and pasture. Largely flat but uneven and prone to mud and seasonal flooding; numerous kissing gates. Follows the Test Way, passing the edge of the Broadlands estate. Best walked mid-spring to mid-autumn; winter flooding can make it impassable.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–6h30

Warnings: The Test Way south of Romsey floods deeply in winter and can be impassable; the riverside boardwalk near Totton has a section of deep mud/bog and has been subject to closure. A short stretch on Station Road at Nursling has no footpath, and the approach into Romsey has no safe crossing of a busy road. Numerous kissing gates and stiles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.