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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Test Valley 30 Mile Circular from Whitchurch
About
This is a lovely circular ride that combines pretty Hampshire market towns, with chalk streams and local food.
This route starts from the Railway Station in the pretty market town of Whitchurch, home to the oldest silk mill in the UK and Richard Adams, author of Watership Down (which is also real place close to the town). You then head south along the banks of the River Test, which is the world’s most famous fly-fishing river and attracts keen fishermen, including American presidents and British prime ministers.
The route then heads through Leckford, part of the John Lewis estate – note that all the cottage doors are green - before you come to Stockbridge, a town famous for its links with trout fishing and now home to art galleries, boutique shops and great local food outlets and restaurants.
Heading south you pass through Kings Somborne – where 1970s family favourite Worzel Gummidge was filmed. Passing Houghton Lodge Gardens you double back via Stockbridge along the River Test again. The John Lewis Farm Shop is worth a visit in Longstock, another village with links to the John Lewis estate. You then pass through a number of pretty villages with thatched cottages and along water meadows on your return to Whitchurch.
See map of route
Route: Most of the route is flat, with one or two short climbs along the sides of the valley.
This route starts from the Railway Station in the pretty market town of Whitchurch, home to the oldest silk mill in the UK and Richard Adams, author of Watership Down (which is also real place close to the town).
You then head south along the banks of the River Test, which is the world’s most famous fly-fishing river and attracts keen fishermen, including American presidents and British prime ministers.
The route then heads through Leckford, part of the John Lewis estate – note that all the cottage doors are green - before you come to Stockbridge, a town famous for its links with trout fishing and now home to art galleries, boutique shops and great local food outlets and restaurants.
Heading south you pass through Kings Somborne – where 1970s family favourite Worzel Gummidge was filmed.
Passing Houghton Lodge Gardens you double back via Stockbridge along the River Test again.
The John Lewis Farm Shop is worth a visit in Longstock, another village with links to the John Lewis estate.
You then pass through a number of pretty villages with thatched cottages and along water meadows on your return to Whitchurch.
See map of route
Cycling: Road
Difficulty: 5/10
Distance: 34 miles/ 5 hrs
OS Explorer Map: 131 and 144
OS Landranger Map: 185
Nearest Railway Station: Whitchurch
Highlights: Whitchurch Silk Mill and Houghton Lodge Gardens
Refreshments:
Before you start: H’s Coffee Shop
Lunch (13mi): Thyme and Tides, Stockbridge or Lillies
Afternoon tea (23mi): John Lewis Farm Shop and Café
