Signature - Stockbridge & River Test Walking Weekend

Join our Walk-Inn weekend in Hampshire! Stroll by the River Test, stay at the historic White Hart Inn in Stockbridge and explore picturesque countryside. Experience refreshing walks, cosy tea rooms, and unwind at the day's end in good company - a guided walking retreat awaits!

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Country Inn
Group Size: Maximum 12
Level: Active
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

Get all the benefits of a guided walking group with the added bonus of comfortable twin en-suite rooms and cooked breakfasts to set you up for a great day out.
Fall for the charms of the Test Valley’s tranquil Hampshire countryside.
Relax in the lovely surroundings of a 16th century coaching inn after exploring locally on Active walks.
Enjoy mingling with other like-minded people and dining out in the evenings.

Collections: Midlands & The South : Signature Experiences : Weekend Adventures : Single Rooms : Twin & Double Rooms

How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

We’re upping the cosy comfort factor with this weekend, which we’re billing as one of our Walk-Inn breaks. Enjoy local delights including part of the Test Way, as we explore around Stockbridge…

So, along with walks along the far from testing River Test in Hampshire, we get to stay in a centuries-old coaching inn - the White Hart Inn at Stockbridge. The bedrooms have plump pillows and duvets and en-suite showers to relax before and after our Active walks (learn how we grade our walks). We’ll be hard pressed not to succumb to the snugness of the pub, where a mighty fine pint, cheeky tipple or hot cuppa will slip down nicely before devouring a well-deserved evening meal.

For those who are unfamiliar with Stockbridge, this lovely market town is around eight miles from Andover and Winchester and it has a genteel feel about it, courtesy of the good quality independent retailers that predominate.

The River Test is a mecca for trout fishermen but the whole of the valley which nestles between the New Forest and Winchester offers a bounty of walks through pastoral countryside, where life seems to happen at a far slower pace.

Our days are spent exploring this rural idyll (following stretches of the long distance Test Way or Clarendon Way), which offers plenty of variety on route whether it’s wildfowl-rich reed beds and ancient abbeys, or antique shops and tearooms.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

There’s no missing the White Hart Inn and once you’ve checked in (available from 2:30pm), we’ll all congregate in the bar for introductions at 6pm. Your Large Outdoors host will meet you there and to go over the weekend’s plans.

We’ll have a table booked for dinner (please note evening meals are not included in the price) around 7-8pm, so we’ll sidle over to some tables in the bar and carry on chatting over our meal.

Day 2

After a hearty cooked breakfast we’ll head out for the day. We don’t include lunch today or tomorrow, but we’ll either stock up on packed lunch goodies at the local deli, or have a cafe/tearoom stop planned en route or to finish up.

Our route today is approximately 13 miles (21km) and we’d class this walk as Active (learn how we grade our walks). Setting out northwards along the Test Way we follow the tracks of the old railway line, before crossing the river at Longstock. Then we’ll approach Danebury Down and pay a visit to Danebury Hill Fort - built 2,500 years ago and occupied during the Iron Age for nearly 500 years. With sweeping views of the valley below, we’ll then walk south towards Broughton and west onto Houghton, via the Monarch’s Way. Crossing the River Test leads us back to the railway line and onto the last leg, returning to Stockbridge.

Once back at the White Hart Inn, there could be time for even more exploring with a saunter round the shops of Stockbridge, or a bit of chilling out in a local pub or tearoom.

This evening we venture out into Stockbridge for dinner at another venue (dinner is not included). With good food and great company it should be a pleasant end to a lovely day.

Day 3

After breakfast, once we’re all packed up and checked out of our accommodation, we strike out for another good walk exploring the rolling hills and the Test Valley. Following the valley bottom, today’s walk is flatter, so we’ll aim to get in a good leg stretch of approximately 10 miles (16km). Exploring more of the Test Way, we will wander towards Chilbolton, before following the River Anton for a stretch, then back to Stockbridge.

As our journey concludes, those with a leisurely departure could perhaps join for a parting coffee and cake or meal at a nearby tearoom or pub, before travelling home. It's not just a weekend; it's an experience etched in memory.

Please note: although we aim to walk circular routes from the door of the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 2, if we need to offer alternative walks for any reason there could be a short drive required. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

**Signature Experiences**

Explore the distinctive charm of our Signature Collection, featuring a curated series of weekends and adventures based in cosy inns, inviting hotels, and homely guest houses, all enhanced with a few extra special touches.

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Good to Know

Meeting Time: from 2:30pm.
You can check-in any time from 2:30pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation’s bar to welcome you from 6pm. Dinner will be booked around 7-8pm, so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.
Meeting Location:
The White Hart Inn
High Street
Stockbridge
SO20 6HF
Parking: There is free parking available at The White Hart Inn.
Public Transport: The White Hart Inn is located 8 miles from Winchester Train Station, with services to/from London Waterloo, Southampton Central, Weymouth and Poole.
Please Note: although we aim to walk circular routes from the door of the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 2, if we need to offer alternative walks for any reason there could be a short drive required. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
We’ll be staying at The White Hart Inn - a lovely 16th century coaching inn nestled in the pretty market town of Stockbridge. In the heart of Test Valley, the wide High Street of Stockbridge reflects its early role as part of a drovers road - now home to a collection of independent specialist shops, a deli and tearooms.
Each bedroom is set up with comfy twin beds, en-suite shower, desk, TV, digital radio, tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, plenty of towels and hair dryer.
Accommodation Address:
The White Hart Inn
High Street
Stockbridge
SO20 6HF
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room
There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room with one other participant (two single beds), bathrooms are en-suite. Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together (two single beds), bathrooms are en-suite.
Included:
- 2 nights’ accommodation at The White Hart Inn.
- A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.
- Guided walks on 2 days (Day 2 & Day 3) around Stockbridge in lovely Hampshire.
- A hearty cooked breakfast each morning, prepared by the accommodation.
- Complimentary tea/coffee, provided in your room at the accommodation, but please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up with tap water and take out with you.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
- Dinner each evening - we’ll book a table to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
- Lunch on Days 2 and 3 - we’ll arrange a chance to load up on packed lunch items before heading out, or stop somewhere suitable as we explore the local area, so you can purchase whatever you fancy.
- Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
- Alcoholic drinks - the accommodation has a licensed bar if you wish to purchase alcohol.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Active. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
This particular experience offers a little more flexibility catering wise, as evening meals are taken at local restaurants, so please contact us if you’d like to check whether it is suitable for your dietary needs.
• What transport is provided during this trip?
Although we aim to walk circular routes from the door of the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 2, if we need to offer alternative walks for any reason there could be a short drive required. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Book your Signature - Stockbridge & River Test Walking Weekend

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This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.