A river runs through it: Highlights of the Test Valley, Hampshire, UK

The Test Valley rises and dips between the North Wessex Downs and Southampton Docks. At its spine, The River Test carves a 40 mile journey from the sleepy villages where Jane Austen lived and worked to the tidal waters of the Solent. Here are some of our favourite spots on the river to discover whether you’re visiting for the day or planning a longer break:

Stay at the Greyhound on the Test

This 16th Century pub with bedrooms is a firm favourite with locals and weekenders. In the winter, low beams, hundreds of flickering candles and roaring fireplaces provide a quintessential cosy pub vibe. In warmer weather tables are set up in the pretty riverside gardens for guests to relax and watch river life pass by. Each of the ten bedrooms is designed with bundles of country cottage charm and embellished with all the little luxuries from roll top baths to impossibly comfortable beds (really, it’s like sleeping in clouds). The Greyhound has perfected…