Chilbolton Cow Common
On this walk, children will love paddling in the ford, spotting trout from the bridges over the river and playing at the park.
The Basics
Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Distance: 4.1 km
Terrain: Grass, riverside paths and some quiet country roads roads (a very brief section on a verge by a busier road)
Pushchair: No
Dogs: Yes, there is likely to be cattle on West Down
Refreshments: The May Fly on The River Test, famed for its riverside location
Toilets: None
Parking: West Down Car Park, free (Postcode: SO20 6AX - W3W: spooked/hourglass/supper)
The River Test gently flows through Chilbolton Cow Common with a wide, shallow ford. There are some excellent riverside pubs in the area, making this an ideal weekend walk.
The Route
Edit - June 2024 - there is some damage to the path by the bridge - feet will get wet in the shallow water - wellies or barefoot crossing advised!
Leave the car park and cross the road, taking the footpath almost directly opposite.
Walk down the path with the bridge to your left and you will soon come to an intersection with The Test Way. Do not take this, but continue on the same path with the river to your left. Keep going until the path passes some houses and rises up to a road. Here, you will need to turn right and walk along a busy road. There is, however, a path on a grass verge and you will almost immediately need to turn right when you meet the next lane.
Take this lane, which does not have a verge but does not have much traffic, towards Wherwel. As you approach the village, you will see a footpath marker on your right with an information board. Go down here to find the start of The Long Bridge over The Test. Look out for trout here.
At the other side, enter Chilbolton Cow Common. Follow the main path that will soon begin to curve around to the left. This will take you across the common to another bridge over the river where it is wide and shallow and perfect for a paddle.
Continue along the gravel path, passing the car park and then an idyllic looking cottage facing the common, with roses either side of the door. Just past the cottage, enter the play area. Cross the grassy park to the side opposite the play equipment. Look out for the footpath on this opposite side, marked in the summer by some giant leaves (see the last picture)!
Keep going until you meet the road again. Cross the road to enter West Down Nature Reserve, just to your right. Follow the path up and over the downland back to the car park (The Mayfly is just around the corner, over the bridge).
We recommend viewing the map as a Trails Map:
Did you know?
The final leg of this walk crosses West Down Nature 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. The West Down site then was used for various airfield ancillary buildings until the airfield was abandoned in the 1950s.