Naturally Wherwell

The village of Wherwell sits on the banks of the River Test and because of this position forms part of the long walk from Totton to Inkpen known as the Test Way.

 

Walkers who complete the distance consider the section through Wherwell to be some of the best. In a short stretch of footpath there is such variety of scenery and natural life - common ground, farm pasture, woodland and of course the river itself.

 

The area supports a myriad of species of flora and fauna for the visitor to wonder at. Different times of the year change the views that greet people so the walk can be performed several times and still be stimulatingly different.

 

The Test Way comes into the village over Chilbolton Common, a site of special scientific interest where botonists have classified over 100 different plants and grasses and where I in a single evening have seen 52 different species of birds from the colourful kingfisher to the elusive water rail. Butter- flies, moths, dragon flies and other insects abound when the sun shines. The river has several bridges across it for easy access and recently the long bridge has had a second protective hand rail added.

Having left the common by the long bridge the walk continues across the Fullerton road and turning right runs parallel to it. Farm land lies to the left and a thick hedge borders the other side. Many wild flowers can be seen in their season and the small birds use the hedge for nests. The footpath then comes out at the Old Hill and walkers have the choice of continuing on via Beech Grove or as most do going through the village with a detour to admire the wonderful thatched cottages and church.

 

New Barn Lane is the rejoining point and again thick hedges either side of the path contain many types of bird - blue tit, great tit, robin, greenfinch, chaffinch, blackbird, thrush and wood pigeon being the most numerous but other species such as jays, long tailed tits, yellow hammer and bullfinch often appear. The views through the gaps in the hedges give out over rolling farmland and the yellow rape and more recently blue flax make a wonder- fully colourful sight.

 

Further on the farmland finishes and Harewood Forest is reached. The cawing of the rooks, crows and jackdaws fills the air and if you are lucky a glimpse of deer as they run startled deeper into the woods. The pheasants and partridge boast they have avoided the hunters' gun. In the spring time the carpet of bluebells and primroses is worth making a special visit for. In the summer and autumn mushrooms and toadstools are in this area but be sure you know which are which before you eat them.

The Test Way walk will take even the most energetic several days or even weeks to complete but this Wherwell section could be done in a couple of hours, but why rush, so much more is seen taking it easy. How fortunate we are to have so much to see in such a small area.