Overton Walks
This Hampshire based village has some nice river and country trails to try. The village is also notable for its Norman church, 15th century pub and history of banknote paper manufacture which started in the 18th Century. Overton Mill still produces banknotes for the Bank of England as of 2020.
This walk from the village takes you along the River Test to its source, just to the east of Overton. The route then continues to visit the nearby Deane Park.
The walk starts in the village, just to the south of the train station, next to the river. You can follow footpaths and country lanes east past Foxdown to Polhampton Ponds. Head south east from here and it will soon take you to the source of the river near Ashe. Here there's an nice old church where you can see pretty snowdrops in the churchyard, during January and Ferbruary. From Ashe follow paths east and they will take you to the neighbouring village of Deane.
Overton Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Overton Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Overton OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Overton Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Back in Overton head to the White Hart for some post walk refreshments. The historic inn dates from the 15th century and includes a cosy village bar. The interior is full of charm with a mix of antiques, local artwork and individually sourced furnishings. Outside there's a sun trap garden for warmer days. They do excellent food and can be found on London Road at postcode RG25 3NW for your sat navs. You could start the walk from the car park here as well.
Dog Walking
The trails are a nice one to do with your dog and the White Hart mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just west of the village there's the small town of Whitchurch to explore. The worthy town has a lovely mill trail visiting the historic Silk Mill and other old buildings on the River Test.
In Deane you can pick up the Wayfarer's Walk. The waymarked trail can be followed north towards North Oakley, Ecchinswell and Kingsclere. Here you can enjoy a climb to Watership Down, the hill made famous by Richard Adams' 1972 novel.
If you head south east you can visit Basingstoke and try the Basingstoke Canal Walk.
If you head a few miles west to St Mary Bourne you could pick up the Test Way and explore the River Test valley on a waymarked path. The village is well worth a visit with rows of picturesque thatched cottages and views of the pretty Bourne Rivulet, a tributary of the River Test.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Hampshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
River Test. Section of the young Test, just below its source near Overton. This shallow and slow flowing chalk stream is one of the most celebrated by English anglers.
Winchester Street, Overton. In the 13th century an entirely new town was planned by Bishop de Lucy of Winchester on the south side of the River Test. Overton "new town" is mentioned in a charter of 1218 granting a market to the bishop, and in 1246 Henry III granted a fair to the town. The streets were laid out in a grid pattern, and the principal market street was Winchester Street.
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Source of the River Test. The map shows a pond labelled "source of the River Test" but in a hot summer there was virtually no water in it at all.
Polhampton Ponds, where they overflow into the River Test
One field from the source. The source of the River Test is just the other side of this field. The lane leads down to a bridge and to Polhampton and Quidhampton. This arable land is on thin chalk and flint soil.
The White Hart Hotel, Overton Ancient inn, and former mint, at the heart of Overton. Parts of it go back to the 15th century.
Ashe, churchyard snowdrops
Deane Park