Witchurch and its mills

An 8.7km (5.4 mile) circular walk along the River Test, passing several historic riverside mills. This classic chalk stream is world-famous for trout fishing and once powered numerous industrial watermills, many now converted to homes.
Highlights include:

• Town Mill - once the source of power for milling corn.
• Bere Mill - built in 1712 by Henri de Portal and was used to create paper. Eventually they started supplying to the Bank of England for use as bank notes. De Portal established a second mill nearby (Laverstoke Mill) to keep up with growing demands. The same firm, now based in nearby Overton, still supplies the Bank of England today.
• The village of Freefolk. its name is thought to derive from the fact that the village was outside the feudal system, meaning the villagers were free from the control of a local Lord.
• The route also passes the Silk Mill, Britain’s oldest working silk mill, dating back to 1815 and still operating in its original building.

Terrain: The route follows a mixture of field and woodland paths which can get muddy at certain times of the year. There are just a few gentle climbs and descents with no stiles en route, but kissing gates and footbridges.

There will be a small charge of £2.00 per head per person for this walk on the day.
If something comes up and you can't make it, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance so someone else can take your spot.

Meet: outside the Gill Nethercott Centre at 10:00 ready to leave at 10:15.
Post code: RG28 7HP
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Parking: (Various options)
- Silk Mill Car Park (RG28 7AJ) W3W:///vibrates.promoting.meaning
- Bell street parking (RG28 7AE) W3W:///family.ooze.perkily

Please note that the free car parks tend to be pretty busy, so please consider car sharing.

Duration: 2-2.5 hours plus breaks en route.
At the end of the walk for those who wish, there is a choice of pubs and cafes where we can go for something to eat and/or drink.

Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leads at all times.

Note: Please note walks maybe cancelled due to poor weather, please check before leaving.

DISCLAIMER
By joining this group , you acknowledge and agree to the following:
🍃 All participants must be 18 or older and are fully responsible for their own safety, health, and wellbeing throughout the event. Outdoor environments do carry inherent risks, and participation is entirely voluntary and undertaken at each individual’s own discretion and risk.
🍃 The organiser, guides, or event hosts accept no liability for any injury (including personal injury or fatal accidents), illness, loss, damage, or disputes that may occur before, during, or after the event.
🍃 All event descriptions including timing, distance, pace, and attendance are approximate and may change due to weather, terrain, transport, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Please go to the the 'About' section for the full disclaimer and T&Cs.

Hope to see you there.