Instead, we went from the train station, along Leigh Road, cut across Fleming Park up through the old golf course to Cambridge drive and then when we got to Bournemouth Road we followed the path around to Templars Way, along the cycle path on Castle Lane, turning right onto Botley Road, then right onto Nutburn, picking the route up at the top of the hill....

Jane Costello

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. 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. Straight away the path was muddy and there was lots of puddles which went over walking shoes from the start....

Jane Costello

The route leaves Fordingbridge via the B 3078 on a path running beside the road. When leaving the RSPB reserve the route continues on a small country road towards Nomandsland and then after having crossed the B3079 one quickly reaches the entrance to Deazle Wood. Once leaving the wood one crosses Sturtmoor Common with the path running over fairly wet and soft ground, until one reaches Canada Common at the outskirts of the hamlet of Canada. Canada Road leads up to the crossing of the A36 and there is a bus stop close to the roundabout. After crossing a country lane the route carries on over a crop field and then turns north over some fairly wet and soft fields until it reaches another country lane leading to the A27. The path carries on through fields (free running cattle) with a number of gates and stiles before one reaches Sadler's Mill at the periphery of Romsey. I very much enjoyed walking this route as it has a lot to offer with respect to varying country side and some beautiful views....

Haymo Thiel

There is an alternative route possible which misses out the road walking in Farley, by heading north west and along a more northern route through Bentley Wood, through West Tytherley and Stoney Batter before rejoining the stated route at Dummer Copse....

abravery

There's a long section through the Bentley Wood nature reserve and the route goes past at least two other nature reserves....

cathw

The route says to walk further south of the playground to find a crossing point over the stream....

thiswormjim

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....

VivAlex

After taking fairly quiet roads out of Fordingbridge, it follows country footpaths to Godshill, then crosses open New Forest heathland, then goes though woodland to Nomansland and on to Canada Common. Near Telegraph Hill the route leaves the heathland, follows the main B3078 road for approx 800m, then joins the footpath through the woods to Pipers Wait (the highest point in the New Forest, at 129m above sea level). Nomansland to Wellow: If you have have diverted to the Lamb Inn at Nomansland, then starting from the front door of the pub, looking onto the cricket pitch, the route follows the road straight ahead past the car park, heading towards the B3079 Bramshaw Road. The route then follows Furzley Road for approx 600m and crosses through Deazle Wood to Plaitford Common and West Wellow Common (together comprising Canada Common) until it hits the unmade road along the edge of Canada Common. At Wellow, the route follows the A36 for approx 300m and goes left shortly after the Red Rover pub onto Slab Lane, then joins Maurys Lane until it hits Romsey Road. Wellow to Shootash Crossroads: From Wellow, shortly after joining Romsey Road the route follows the footpath, Wellow FP 24, through the fields, to join Foxes Lane at Kings Farm. Shootash crossroads to Romsey: From near Shootash crossroads, the route goes along the main A27 road for approx 600m, then at Troy House cuts off left along a footpath that skirts Squabb Wood, then goes through the wood to meet the Test Way into Romsey....

pter

Continue beyond the first exit to the main road and take a track through the trees, signed as a footpath on a pole, just before the second exit road. Cross straight over the main road and enter the service road on the opposite side by the red post box. If you have inadvertently come out on a road turn right along the road rather than taking the path downhill the far side of the road....

Romsey Ramble

I followed the route from Romsey to Salisbury, providing lovely start and end points. Delightful route taking in the NT Mottisfont estate and a surprisingly high proportion of woodland trails and paths. A little bit gooey in places after heavy rainfall but mainly good walking....

thelazystick

For example the route of Romlor Three could be followed out of Romsey to Halterworth Lane along the footpaths....

nickw4426

It is generally a good route (with the exception of the main road out of Fordingbridge) mainly using paths through open heathland, then paths through Bramshaw Wood. The route follows the main B3078 Southampton Road out of Fordingbridge, cuts off through a footpath through Sandy Balls holiday park, rejoins the B3078 for a short stretch to Godshill, then crosses open forest, then heads up through the woods to Nomansland. The route leaves Fordingbridge along the main B3078 Southampton Road across the bridge....

pter

It might be worth crossing straight over the Straight Mile and following what looks like another track that runs parallel and rejoins the main road just before it turns into Winchester Road. Route along Winchester Road is very urban/boring; the Romsey to Winchester bus runs along this road & you won't miss anything if you pick up the bus into town at this point....

WanderingWalnut

I'd agree with other reviewers in that this is very much a road-y Slow Way: almost the entire route is on-road....

mtormey

The first 4km of the route is rather dull, alongside the main road out of Romsey, but the remainder of the journey is really quite pleasant, with forestry tracks, woodland paths, following field boundaries, and finishing alongside the Itchen for the final stage into Winchester....

Ian Deeley

Generally a nice route, @Pter's modification being a good way to avoid the private land and busy roads to the west of Romsey....

nickw4426

The stretch on the A3057 is pretty uncomfortable, but it seems to be unavoidable and it's pretty short....

mtormey

This is not a direct route however it is mainly off road. Here the route steadily climbs and joins a tarmac lane which is little used which comes out to the highest point of the route (geographically!) which is a bridge over the M3 (photo 2). The route carries on along a little used lane (the only traffic being forestry commision and Range Rovers). After a while there is a crossing of a relatively busy main road (Botley Road) but this is not much of an issue. After another 1/4 mile on a little used lane the route heads up a narrow bridleway between fields with nice views (photo 3). This path comes out on Green Lane and this section is the longest on road part although the road is little used. After a while a T junction is reached and the route goes left on to Highwood Lane for a short distance (busier road but there is a footpath) before heading right and back onto footpaths surrounded by fields....

Cloud burst

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....

spadgershat

Follow your nose most of the way, into and through North Baddesley onto the Botley Road, where you turn left and cross the road, using the cycle/footpath again. This road goes straight towards Romsey, but take a left just before the main Winchester Road, following signs for the Town Centre. Crossing the main road, take a right then left, and follow the road into The Hundred and along to the market square....

Paul Wright

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)....

Peter

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....

nickw4426

East of Halterworth, a footpath can be followed eastwards from Halterworth Lane to Highwood Lane, south of the existing route....

nickw4426

This route seems to follow busy roads for too much of its length, though it is not helped by the lack of rights of way in the North Baddesley area. I would recommend "Romlor one" strongly over this route. There is an alternative, roundabout but quiet and on PROWs available via Chilworth and Halterworth....

nickw4426

This would miss Dunbridge station, but the route diverted as such could be joined by following the well signed footpath from Dunbridge to Mottisfont. Will try and contribute an alternative route via Dean Hill if I have a moment....

nickw4426