River Test Article Index for
River
Articles about
River Test
Website Links For
River
 

Information About

River Test




and is lined with quays]]
The River Test is a River in Hampshire , England . The river has a total length of 40 Miles (64 Km) and it flows through some beautiful Downland from its Source near Basingstoke to the sea at the head of Southampton Water . In its upper reaches it is a Chalk Stream , noted for its Trout Fishing .

The river rises near the village of Ashe , and flows west through the villages of Overton , Laverstoke , and the town of Whitchurch , before joining with the Bourne Rivulet at Testbourne and turning into a more southerly direction. It then flows through the villages of Longparish and Middleton to Wherwell and Chilbolton , where the Rivers Dever and Anton contribute to the flow.

From Chlibolton the river flows through the villages of Leckford , Longstock , Stockbridge and Houghton to Mottisfont and Kimbridge , where the River Dun joins the flow. From here the village of Timsbury is passed before reaching the town of Romsey . On the western edge of Romsey, Sadler's Mill , an 18th Century Watermill , sits astride the River Test.

South of Romsey, the river flows past the Country House of Broadlands , past Nursling that was once the site of a Roman Bridge , and between the Southampton suburbs of Totton and Redbridge . Here the river is joined by the River Blackwater and soon becomes tidal, widening out into a considerable estuary that is lined on its northern bank by the Container Terminal s and Quay s of the Port Of Southampton . Finally the Test estuary meets that of the River Itchen and the two continue to the sea as Southampton Water .

Between Chilbolton and Redbridge, the river was once paralleled by the abandoned Andover Canal . Much of the length of this canal was converted to a railway in 1865, and much of this railway has since also been abandoned. As a result, most traces of the canal have completely disappeared, although the remains of a stretch of the canal can still be seen between Timsbury and Romsey.

The river is managed by the Environment Agency , whilst the Port Of Southampton is the navigation authority for the tidal section below Redbridge.

The River Test has given its name to the Test Valley District , a Local Government District in the area.


SEE ALSO



REFERENCES