Continue until you come to a finger-post junction and follow the Test Way right to come to a railway bridge and down through woods (muddy) to arrive at the banks of the River Test. Follow the well-defined path across the meadows to reach St Andrew's Church. There are bees in the east wall and bats in the belfry, according to the guide. With thatched cottages to your left and the church on the right, turn right at the road junction (ignoring Test Way sign to left) to reach the entrance of Mottisfont Abbey in about 250m. Formerly an Augustinian friary, Mottisfont was dissolved by Cromwell in 1536 and converted into a private house. It's famous for the summer display of roses in the box-edged walled garden laid out by Graham Stuart Thomas and is at its best in June. The return to Romsey retraces the Test Way. Before leaving Romsey visit the Abbey, founded in 907. A parish church since 1544, before the dissolution it was home to a Benedictine community. Inside there are Saxon crosses and 12th-century wall paintings. Across Church Street is a medieval merchant's house from the 13th century - the King John's House museum and tourist information.
Visitor information
Mottisfont Abbey (01794 340757): Garden open Mar-Oct; extended hours 1100-1800 (grounds open until 2030) 5-27 Jun from Mon-Sun (closed Thu and Fri off-peak). £6.50, children £3.50.
Broadlands (01794 505010): Open 30 Jun-2 Sept, 2004, weekdays, pm only. £7, concs £6, children £4, under 12s free.
Tourist Information Centre, Church Street, Romsey (01794 512987). Open 1000-1700.
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