King's Somborne and Horsebridge

Recommended by

Our view

"Enjoy the Test Valley and the fine downland scenery around King's Somborne, once the haunt of Norman kings."

Walk directions

Leave the car park and turn left, opposite the John O’Gaunt Inn. Cross the River Test and turn right along the Test Way, dropping down on to the old railway line. After 0.75 miles (1.2km), pass beside a gate and turn right along the Clarendon Way.

Climb out of the valley, with the track becoming metalled at the top. Ignore turnings to the left and right, keeping straight ahead until, at the T-junction, you turn right with a waymarker down the left-hand edge of a field towards King’s Somborne.

As you reach the houses in the field corner, descend the steps then turn right along the lane, and right again at the A3057 to enter the village. Turn left along Church Road opposite The Crown Inn. Ignore the lanes on the left and right and gradually climb away from the village. Just past a house called Hillcrest, at the top of the hill, turn left at the fork, signed to Hoplands.

Follow this road past a memorial to footpath warden Mike Woodcock, and a vineyard on the right. Ignore the right of way to the right, and gently climb beside paddocks, following the road past Pepperwood Park. Keep ahead along a track and pass a memorial stone to four German airmen on your left.

Turn left along the Clarendon Way through a copse. Bear right and walk downhill on a narrow path beside paddocks and gallops, with splendid views across the Test Valley. Pass through a gap and follow the field edge ahead. Continue along the righthand edge of fields before descending to a lane in King’s Somborne.

Turn left and walk through the village, following the lane left to a T-junction. Turn right and then left along a narrow footpath beside the churchyard wall. Besides an information board, enter an area of rough grassland. This is where John of Gaunt’s palace is supposed to have been. Go ahead on a hard path to enter a playing field. Bear diagonally left across the field to the top left-hand corner. Go through a kissing gate to join a grassy path leading to a close of houses. Turn right then, before reaching the main road, turn left along a narrow fenced path between properties to the main road.

Cross straight over the A3057 and go through a kissing gate into pasture. Take the footpath slightly right across the field to its boundary and a kissing gate. Keep to the path that leads through gardens, via small gates, to a field.

Continue ahead towards a house and shortly cross the drive in front of it. Maintain your direction through further pasture to reach a stile and lane in Horsebridge. Turn right, then right again at the junction and turn left back into the Test Way car park.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Former railway track, field paths, tracks and road, 1 stile

Landscape - River valley, open farmland and downland

Dog friendliness - Off lead along the Test Way, otherwise keep under control

Parking - Test Way car park at Horsebridge, opposite John O' Gaunt Inn

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Hampshire Dog-friendly walks in Hampshire

About the walk

The tiny hamlet of Horsebridge is at the point where the original Roman road from Winchester to Old Sarum crossed the River Test. It is believed the Normans revived the old road to provide easy access from a hunting lodge, at Clarendon in Wiltshire, to a palace that probably existed at King’s...

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Hampshire’s varied landscape of hills and heaths, downlands and forests, valleys and coast are without rival in southern England. Hike across the chalk downland of the north Hampshire ‘highlands’, meander along peaceful paths through unspoilt river valleys of the Test, Itchen, Avon and Meon, or explore the lonely salt marshes and the beautiful medieval forest and heathland of the New Forest.