Romsey Canal Walk

1.9 miles (3 km)

Enjoy an easy stroll along the old Andover Barge Canal on this short walk in Romsey. The Andover Canal was opened in 1794 and ran 22 miles (35�km) from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of 179 feet (55�m) through 24�locks, and for much of its length paralleled the�River Anton�and�River Test.
This walk takes you along a section of the canal in the market town of Romsey in Hampshire. You can start the walk just to the east of the train station where there's a footpath running along the narrow canal. You can follow it north for about 2 miles to Ashley Meadows before returning on the same path. Just to the west of the canal there's some nice footpaths along the River Test which also runs through the town.
The town is also worth exploring with a fine Market Place with many historic buildings. There's also the splendid Romsey Abbey, the largest parish church in Hampshire.
You could also pick up the waymarked Test Way which explores the beautiful Test Valley. You could follow the trail a short distance to the north and visit Mottisfont Abbey. The 13th century Augustinian priory is surrounded by glorious grounds and is a major highlight of the area.
Just to the east of the town you will find the Tadburn Meadows Nature Reserve where there's a nice sculpture trail and lots of wildlife to see.
The Monarch's Way long distance trail runs just to the east of the town. You can pick this up and enjoy trails through Ampfield Woods.

Postcode

SO51 8HL - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Romsey Canal Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Romsey Canal Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Romsey Canal OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Romsey Canal Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Romsey

Danebury Hill Fort - Climb to Danebury Hill Fort and Danebury Down on this short walk in Hampshire
Test Way - Travel through the Test Valley on this 45 mile walk through Hampshire and Berkshire.
The route starts Eling Tide Mile near Totton heading north towards the Lower Test Nature Reserve and Romsey along the river
Mottisfont Abbey - Explore the extensive grounds of this 13th century Augustinian priory on foot or by bike
Ampfield Woods - This large woodland area near Hursley has miles of walking trails to try
Testwood Lakes - Enjoy an easy, waterside walk around these two pretty lakes in Totton, on the eastern edge of the New Forest
Itchen Way - Follow the River Itchen from its mouth at Woolston to its source near Hinton Ampner on this beautiful waterside walk
Lakeside Country Park - Enjoy 60 acres of lakes, wet meadow and woodland located between Eastleigh and Southampton
Itchen Valley Country Park - Explore 440 acres of parkland in this attractive country park in Southampton
Bramble Hill - This circular walk in the New Forest explores the area around Bramble Hill near the village of Bramshaw.
Southampton Common - Explore 326 acres of woodland, parkland, rough grassland, ponds, wetlands and nature trails on this lovely cycling and walking route in Southampton
Southampton Walls - A circular walk taking you around the historic walls of the city of Southampton.
Sprat And Winkle Line - This walk or cycle takes you along the trackbed of the old Sprat and Winkle Line which ran between�Andover�and�Redbridge�in�Hampshire.

Pubs/Cafes

The Three Tuns is a good choice for some post exercise refreshments. The historic country pub is over 300 years old and serves good quality food and real ales. There's a cosy interior and a nice�outside terrace for warmer days. They are a 5 minute walk from the Market Square at 58 Middlebridge St, SO51 8HL. The pub is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you follow the Test Way south for a couple of miles it will take you towards the lovely Testwood Lakes. This nature reserve has a series of nice footpaths with lots of wildfowl to look out for on the water.
For more walking ideas in the area see the New Forest Walks page.