Walking the Test Way

Part three  - St Marybourne to Longparish

Distance: 5.5 miles    

Approx time: 2-3 hours

Over the river, you walk the farm tracks crossing one of the great old roads, the Harrow Way dated by archaeological finds to 600-450 BC, which became a pilgrimage from Seaton, Devon to Canterbury, Kent.

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Pass through more farmland and around the beautiful eastern edge of Harewood Forest, a remnant of ancient coppiced woodland, which was a Saxon royal hunting forest and after the Norman Conquest was part of the Royal Forest of Chute. The forest was strictly regulated and all rights of the chase were reserved to the King, so no felling or hunting.

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You will then come to Longparish which is situated on the northwest bank of the river Test, the village is about 3 miles long and made up of several small settlements. Forton off the main road with some of the older cottages, Middleton which includes, Middleton Manor, the school and church and East Aston where you will find Longparish House and Upper Mill. It has many beautiful listed buildings, including the early 13th century church of St Nicholas. It is an old farming village where up to the 1940s most of the people living in the village were employed by the village either on the farms or in the larger houses. The Plough reopened in September 2021 and is right on the Test Way Path.

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