Longparish, Deadman's Plack and The Test Way - please book online

Starting from the car park opposite the Village Hall, we take field paths in order to reach the pretty village of Forton, where there are a number of distinguished-looking properties. We then cross the B3048 and take field paths and tracks to reach the permissive footpath established by Andover Ramblers in 2022, which runs through a wooded area beside the A303 for approximately a quarter of a mile, before we enter Ridgeway Copse. We will pause for a few minutes at Deadman's Plack Monument before passing through Whiteditch Copse and Houndshott Copse, to reach the northern-most point of the walk, Faulkner's Down Farm, where we pick-up the Test Way. We then continue along the Test Way through Flock Bottom before leaving it to visit Tracey's Dell and Paul's Dell, on our way to the outskirts of Longparish, where we once again take field paths and tracks to cross and re-cross the River Test, in order to reach our cars. 

This walk is primarily on good paths and tracks where only a little mud and some standing water was encountered on the recce, however, it is recommended that walking boots are worn in view of the forecast for unsettled weather. No significant difficulties were encountered on the recce, although there are two stiles and any surface mud will be slippery. 

This walk should also provide an early glimpse into Spring with Snowdrops, Catkins, and (hopefully) Daffodils, as well as an abundance of birdsong.