WALKS IN HAMPSHIRE : WHERWELL & CHILBOLTON

This is another video in my series “Walks in Hampshire” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode I visit the pretty village of Wherwell (3 miles South of Andover in Hampshire) and take a 3 mile (approx) walk to the equally beautiful village of Chilbolton.
I start off at the St Peter & Holy Cross Church in Wherwell (Grid Ref SU391409) & spend a few minutes explaining the fascinating history behind the rise & fall of Wherwell Abbey. My route then takes me through the village itself (which is full of thatched cottages), allowing me to explore the old disused railway line, refurbished station & the pub.
Passing through Wherwell, I head up on to a ridge where I enjoy some wonderful views across the valley & spot the Chilbolton Observatory in the far distance.
After telling the story of the Wherwell Dragon (!), I drop back in to the village and cross the River Test to go on to the Chilbolton Cow Common (a SSSI). This takes me across to the village of Chilbolton where I explore the Church of St Mary the Less and wander through the pretty main street (which has a pub and thatched village stores).
A super relaxing walk through two very pretty villages on a sunny Summer morning.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7 Black Action Camera (and a Gimbal) together with a Canon SX 400IS.

[@fatemafathullahchiba3783]

Beautiful cottages and greenery @5.53

[@DaveFord]

It is a lovely area to explore for sure.

[@davidkeel]

Amazing video and places David. Thanks for sharing them. Watching it on a large TV makes it glorious.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you David.:)

[@robertfay1150]

Lovely walks with you .thanks

[@DaveFord]

Thanks and indeed thank you for watching.

[@annetteboyle7518]

A very pretty place Dave thanks for sharing

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Annette. The River Test is one of my favourite rivers.

[@melissaphillips3088]

Oh my goodness the village and houses are breathtaking Dave . I am stunned at the beauty of it all. This is one of the most wonderful walks and places I have seen . History is precious . Thank you Dave for showing us this amazing place.👏🏻

[@DaveFord]

It is such a pretty village and of course there is also the magnificent River Test to enjoy as well.

[@ramibu239]

Wonderful walk Dave & Logan! Wherwell was so beautiful! What I would consider a quintessential English village! I absolutely adore all of those thatched roofed cottages w/ their meticulously manicured flower beds!😍🏵🌹😘💕

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I think this is one of the prettiest villages that I have seen for a while.

[@elizabethspeirs2973]

Lovely walk enjoyed it very much , hope to do it someday

[@DaveFord]

Glad you enjoyed it Elizabeth. Thanks for watching.

[@addernoir1483]

Wow. Wherwell is absolutely stunning. Thank you for taking us with you! Do you plan your walks according to interesting things you find when researching or do you plan your walk and then research the things you may come across on the walk? The combination of beautiful scenery and historical tidbits is fascinating.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I tend to plan my route first and then do research on the area to find out more information on anything that might be interesting to anyone doing the walk themselves. Most of the research is either from the internet or books. It is easy to get the facts on things like the history of a church but sometimes , eg a sculpture or an unusual sign, it can take a bit of deeper digging!

[@tombutler2562]

My girlfriend and I are at university in Southampton, you've inspired us to take a trip up to Wherwell in Summer. Thanks Dave!

[@DaveFord]

It is a very pretty area for a walk, Tom. Hope you both enjoy it when you go.

[@stevenfield2256]

great video dave!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Steven. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@beejoyful7679]

Belated congratulations on 5,000 Subscribers, Dave and Logan and Fiver! I hope you all enjoyed a well deserved celebration. Absolutely charming villages. Loved the dragon story! As always, your videos are a superb indulgence of the best of England's southern shore and countryside.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Wherwell has to be one of the prettiest villages in Hampshire for sure.

[@JGmusic2019]

Absolutely stunning. We’re going there next week, actually, and your walk with Logan has helped a lot. Keep up the good work!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jesper. I hope that you have good weather for your walk. :)

[@alanparsons6779]

Great video, but if you had carried on to Fullerton you would of discovered the downs leading to the Seven Stars (Mayfly) pub.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for the info Alan ... certainly a walk for next season. Thanks for watching.

[@williamstarling8167]

We just so love your beautiful places you find for us to see and we just love the interesting talks that go with them too....thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks William and indeed thank you for watching.

[@jeremysungphun8820]

What a scenic and beautiful place ! Do people still live in those old houses?

[@DaveFord]

It is a very pretty village, for sure. Yes indeed people do live in those enchanting houses.

[@andrewhulson4000]

Great video, love the history lesson as well. We live in a beautiful county 👍😊🙏

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Andrew. We certainly do! Thanks for watching.

[@jyy9624]

The entirety of the River Test is teeming with trout. It is the most valuable resource in Hampshire aside from property

[@DaveFord]

It is a beautiful river for sure!

[@grahamkent6667]

Thanks for bring back some childhood memories. My grandparents lived in Chilbolton and Its been a while since I've been able to visit

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Graham. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@anjannanda8955]

Wonderful video by u dave

[@DaveFord]

Thank you and indeed thanks for watching.

[@joelane1568]

Lovely job

[@DaveFord]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Nice one Dave. There is so much to see in Wherwell. When you were at the memorial, if you had turned right for a hundred yards, you would have come to a sharp turn to the right. Opposite here is a beautiful cottage covered in roses. It's named Shepherds Cottage. The footbridge over the river Test approaching Chilbolton Cow Common, is, as you said, absolutely beautiful. We did that walk last summer and the Common was full of groups of families. I believe at the time groups of 4 or more was prohibited, so there were many, many law breakers out there that day. It was strangely quiet when you passed by.

[@DaveFord]

Yes, I understand that the Chilbolton Cow Common can get quite "busy" at peak times during the Summer.

[@thesolitarycyclist9005]

I get the feeling you were quite taken with Wherwell Dave? Incidentally, I believe the villagers call it "Werral" - another quaint local pronunciation! Fascinating story about Elfrida; basically if someone founded an abbey you can be pretty certain they had a guilty conscience!

[@DaveFord]

It is certainly a pretty place John.

[@janmaymarchant1684]

The first house outside the churchyard, with the slate/tiled roof was the home of the Hawkins family, who were one of the village thatchers, for over 100 years.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks for that information. There certainly would have been plenty of need for a Thatcher in the village, for sure. So many delightful houses & cottages. Thank you for watching.

[@geofftitford7075]

One of my most favourite counties Hampshire a lot of subtle beauty in the countryside and the villages and towns

[@DaveFord]

There are certainly some very pretty parts of Hampshire, Geoff, and so much of it to explore.

[@doreenfawcett9717]

Wow love the church street wow just beautiful it’s so beautiful I feel the same Dave just speechless. Breath taking and I love the old chapel. Awww that’s just clinched it the horses I love horses this has got to be my fave village .Amazing yes I agree Dave enchanting . Looks heavenly and Logan marching off in front Bless him.

[@maryanderson3931]

Just watched this Dave (and Logan) and really enjoyed it. Super day you chose. Beautiful cottages too - especially the one in Wherwell with the green and white themed garden. Do you have an assistant camera person?

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mary. It is just me doing the filming - I use a hand held Gopro camera although I leave it on a tripod for the walking scenes. I have recently acquired a special "dog camera harness" - which might get used from time to time in the future (still trying it out) - so watch out for some "LoganCam" footage in the future!

[@coralplumley1394]

Wonderful enjoyed so much happy memories, of my childhood, thank you.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Coral. What a lovely place to grow up in. I have just filmed another video walk - Wherwell & Goodworth Clatford - scheduled to come out in February ... so do look out for that one! Thanks for watching.

[@beaniewhewell2136]

hi is there any whewells in wherwell please even in cemetries x

[@DaveFord]

I am afraid that I do not know the village that well. Looking at the "Find a Grave" website (below), there does not appear to be a grave with the surname Whewell. www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2579776/st.-peter-and-holy-cross-churchyard

[@darrenhollebone6550]

Thanks for the great video, i eat and drink in the White Lion as much as possible as it's close by and love to walk locally.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Darren. A lovely part of the world. Thanks for watching.

[@daxterk9able]

Do you track your walks on a plate form like strava ? I would be intresed to follow!

[@DaveFord]

Alas no. Good old fashioned OS map & a compass! I always try and put a picture of the route map in the introduction of the video and if there are any specific points in the walk to look out for (eg a footpath sign that is hidden from view!) then I will highlight it.

[@daxterk9able]

@@DaveFord i see! Its nice to find out some local history ! Keep up the good work ! Always happy to see loganb! 🐕

[@alexchancock]

That was great. Thank you👍

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Alex and indeed thank you for watching.