Whitchurch Hampshire Walks
This delightful Hampshire village sits in an idyllic location on the River Test. It's a lovely place for a stroll with easy riverside walks, pretty gardens and a noteworthy old mill to explore. There's also miles of good trails through the surrounding countryside of the North Wessex Downs AONB.
This walk from the town takes you east along the River Test to neighbouring Freefolk and Laverstoke. On the way you'll pass historic mills, weirs and pockets of woodland on the southern side of the river. It's about a 5 mile walk there and back.
Near the start of the walk you'll pass one of the highlights of the area at the Winchester Silk Mill. Here you can learn all about the town's milling history with a series of exhibits, the originial water wheel and other old machinery to see. There's also some pleasant riverside gardens and a nature trail at the site.
At the eastern end of the route there's some fine old churches to see in Freefolk and Laverstoke. There's also the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill. You can tour the distillery to find out exactly what goes into the making of the famous gin.
On the return leg you can cross to the northern side of the river and explore the area around picturesque Bere Mill and bridge.
Whitchurch Hampshire Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Whitchurch Hampshire Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Whitchurch Hampshire OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Whitchurch Hampshire Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Whitchurch Hampshire
- Overton - This Hampshire based village has some nice river and country trails to try
- Wayfarer's Walk - Starting at the town of Emsworth on Chichester Harbour, follow this fabulous 70 mile walk through the heart of Hampshire and on into Berkshire.
You will pass through the pretty Hampshire towns and villages of Cheriton, Droxford, Hambledon and New Arlesford while also experiencing the beautiful landscape and wildlife in this special county.
The path is easy to follow as it is waymarked by metal and plastic disks attached to wooden and metal posts.
Highlights on the route in include the National Trust owned Hinton Ampner stately home with its wonderful gardens and Watership Down - the delightful setting for Richard Adams' 1972 novel - 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 - Watership Down - Climb this hill made famous by Richard Adams' 1972 novel 'Watership Down'
- Basingstoke Canal Walk - Follow the Basingstoke canal from Up Nately to Woodham, on this delightful waterside walk
- Kingsclere - This Hampshire based village is surrounded by beautiful countryside in all directions
- Ecchinswell - This pretty Hampshire village is in a great spot for exploring the rolling Hampshire Downs and Hangers.
Pubs/Cafes
One nice option is the cafe at the Winchester Silk Mill. It's lovely on summer days with a Riverside Garden Gazebo and a Frog Island Gazebo with a number of outdoor picnic benches on which to relax.
If you prefer a pub lunch then the King's Arms is a good choice. The pub has some history dating all the way back to 1575. During the civil war, troops of King Charles I were billeted at the Kings Arms in October 1664 before the second battle of Newbury. You can find them on Church Street at postcode RG28 7AB for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The river and woodland trails make for a fine dog walk and the Kings Arm mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the east you can visit the neighbouring village of Overton where you can visit the source of the River Test. The village is also notable for its Norman church, 15th century pub and history of banknote paper manufacture which started in the 18th Century.
To the north west you can pick up the long distance
Test Way at St Mary Bourne. 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 North Wessex Downs Walks and the Hampshire Walks pages.
Photos
River Test, Whitchurch. The River Test is regarded as one of the most famous chalk streams in the World, and the river is so clean that its waters are used to wash the paper used for British banknotes.
River Test at Whitchurch Silk Mill
The bridge at Bere Mill. An intricate and attractive bridge built partly of stone and partly of brick, just upstream of Bere Mill. The mill was built in 1712 so perhaps the bridge dates from the same time.
Bere Mill. A watermill near Whitchurch in Hampshire.
Houses, Freefolk, Hants
Bombay Sapphire distillery in Laverstoke Mill, near Whitchurch, Hampshire. The mill was originally used to manufacture paper for watermarked banknotes. Although a mill has stood at this location on the River Test since at least 1086, it underwent major rebuilding and expansion in the mid-19th century when the company secured a contract with the Government of India to produce Indian Rupee paper as well as Bank of England paper. The mill was restored for Bombay Sapphire to a design by Thomas Heatherwick during 2012-2014.