Wherwell, around and about

A circular walk starting at the southern extremity of The Hampshire Golf Course to the north east of Wherwell. We set off in the direction of Goodworth Clatford (Goodworth Clatford has the unfortunate footnote in history as being the furthest west of London a WW2 V1 - doodlebug rocket impacted, destroying much of the then village, killing 6 inhabitants) passing over good field paths before turning south to find the line of the old canal, now a disused railway, to cross the river Test.

At this point we break for mid morning refreshments before making our way past the Chilbolton radio telescope / observatory, joining the Test Way via the southern and western edges of Chilbolton Cow Common to head towards Wherwell itself. There is the potential for these paths to be "soft" but as the water levels have fallen the paths remain accessible with the inundated fields being by-passed. The route then heads northwards, pausing for lunch prior to entering Harewood Forest, before returning to the start / finish point. Many of the tracks through the Forest are of a stone / concrete construction, relics of WW2 pre D day troop concentrations.

The underfoot surfaces are generally well maintained paths or tracks, although there is the potential for some wet / muddy stretches as we are in part walking in the Test Way flood plain. There are a number of gates but only one stile which can be avoided via a 5 bar farm gate. We are walking in Hampshire at a time of year when vegetation growth is prolific, please be aware of the risk of TICKS and nettles / brambles. Ensure you are appropriately equipped - good footwear / waterproofs, insect repellent and sun cream as the weather dictates.