Romtot one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 80.00% of reviewers

We did this walk in two parts. There’s a free car park near the Mountbatten Art Gallery so we started our walks from there.
Car Park to Romsey – The walk was 50/50 road/tracks and off road. The lanes were very quiet but because we’d had a lot of rain and tractors had been going up and down, it was a bit muddy under foot so decent walking shoes where required. The off road was a bit uneven under foot but was dry.
On the whole signage was good, there was only one point near a dog training place where we had to check our map as the signpost was broken and been propped up, which meant we were unsure if we should carry on down the lane or around the field – it’s around the field edge.
This is a great route at this time of year as there’s a pumpkin field which was lovely to stop and look at, the views were lovely, and you get to eat cake in Romsey!
This time of year, good walking shoes or wellies would be required as there are areas of mud and water.
Not suitable for prams/wheelchairs and I would say that due to the uneven nature of the off road, anyone with walking restrictions may find it hard going.
Part two Car Park to Totton – this was a very different experience and admittedly we had had a lot of rain over the previous two weeks.
Straight away the path was muddy and there was lots of puddles which went over walking shoes from the start. When you get onto Station Road at Nursling there is no footpath so care needs to be taken.
When we turned off the road back onto paths this is when our problems started. As we approached the Boardwalks the path became flooded and where we’d been laughing at those who had worn trainers earlier, we realised trainers would have been a better option as the water got so deep it filled our wellies. At one point water was ¾ way up our legs!
When we finally made it to the Totton end, there was a gate with footpath closed on it, shame that hadn’t been the other end as well. Having said that, I don’t think any of us had laughed so much in ages.
I can imagine this being a lovely walk in the summer but the fact they have kissing gates would make it difficult if you had a push chair. Signage was also a bit lacking, and we had to keep checking the map. Currently not suitable for non-swimmers or small children!
Would be 5 star in the summer.

At the end of the Test Boardwalk section (on the Test Way but within HIOWWT reserve) there is a short section of deep mud and bog most of the time due to fluctuating tides. It has been in disrepair for more than 6 months and makes passing difficult without waterproof footwear.

Beautiful low-lying test valley walk that runs past the back of Broadlands (home of the Lord Mountbatten) and then zigzags through some more marshy farmland before heading south into Totton.

This is a seasonal walk. The test way south of Romsey is impassable in winter due to deep flooding. Even wellies won't get you across the three-foot-deep temporary lakes. There is always an option to cut into the private farmland but there's barbed wire and the concept of trespassing to contend with there.

Mid-Spring to Mid-Autumn only, for this one.

A pleasant walk, mainly alongside fields of pasture and livestock, as well as some woodland and the River Test. Very easy to follow from the Slow Ways map.

Unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs due to numerous kissing gates, narrow footpaths and uneven surfaces (one area of footpath was also flooded today (early May) and had to be skirted round).

The natural route from Romsey to Totton, following the Test valley. Just one possible improvement: north of Totton, road walking ca be reduced by branching off the Test Way at lat 50.9255 lon -1.4870 and following the permissive path southwards to reach the main road at 50.9187 -1.4822, close to Totton station - then turn right to reach the town centre.

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