The clear waters of the River Test gently flow through a wide, shallow ford at Chilbolton Cow Common, an ancient meadow of special scientific interest.

This walk takes you over the common as well as onto West Down nature reserve. The nearby villages of Wherwell and Chilbolton are lined with historic thatched cottages. There's excellent pubs, a great play area in Chilbolton Recreation Ground and paddling is allowed around Purleygig Bridge.

(Image: The Ambling Path) 1. To begin, leave the lower West Down car park and cross the road, taking the footpath almost directly opposite, signed The Test Way.

2. Walk down the path with the brick bridge arches to your left and then turn right. The river will be to your left, but will be inaccessible at this point behind private fences. Go across a wooden sleeper bridge with iron railings over the river and continue straight. After a height barrier, the path will merge into a tarmac access lane and will then meet a road.

3. Turn right at the road and walk along the grass verge on the right-hand side. Take the first right onto Fullerton Road, signposted for Wherwell.

4. You will need to walk for about half a mile along this lane with no pavement, but it is a quiet country lane with light traffic. As you approach the village, you will see a footpath marker on your right and the start of The Long Bridge over The Test. This is a great place to stop and look for baby trout and kingfishers. For some pretty 500-year-old cottages,  continue for about another half a mile into Wherwell.

(Image: The Ambling Path) 5. After crossing The Long Bridge, enter Chilbolton Cow Common. Follow the main path as it curves around to the left. This will take you across the common to Purleygig Bridge, perfect for a paddle. 

6. After enjoying the river, continue straight after the bridge, passing under a tree and then into the car park. Turn right in the car park through a large gate and walk in front of an idyllic white cottage facing the common. Just past the cottage, enter the recreation ground through a gate on your left. There is some excellent play equipment here. Cross the recreation ground to the side opposite to the play equipment and look for the path leading out of it.

7. Keep going along this path with a fence to your right (and occasional views of the river) until you meet the road again. Cross the road to enter West Down Nature Reserve, just to your right. The final leg of this walk crosses the reserve, which was mainly used for grazing sheep until WW2, when the UK Air Ministry requisitioned a huge tract of land south of Chilbolton and built a large airfield, abandoned in the 1950s. Follow the path up and over the downland, walking above and parallel to the road back to the car park.

By Sally Broom of family friendly walks website The Ambling Path

(Image: The Ambling Path) Walk at a glance

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Distance: 4.2 km

Terrain: Flat riverside paths with some rougher land on common and downs, quiet country lanes, one short, steep descent.

Dogs: On leads around cattle on West Down and Chilbolton Cow Common and at all times between March and July.

Refreshments: The May Fly on The River Test at Fullerton, The Abbots Mitre in Chilbolton or the Chilbolton Shop and Tea Room.

Public Toilets: None.

Public Transport: Stagecoach service 15 between Andover and Stockbridge

Parking: West Down car park, SO20 6AX,

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(Image: The Ambling Path)