Stockbridge

Walking down Stockbridge's broad High Street feels like stepping back in time - this former coaching town stretches along a single wide thoroughfare that once saw stagecoaches thundering between London and the West Country. Today it's properly peaceful, with independent shops and proper old pubs defining the rhythm of daily life.

The River Test flows right through the heart of town, famous among fly fishermen as one of England's finest chalk streams. You'll spot anglers in their waders most mornings, casting lines for the legendary brown trout that swim these crystal-clear waters. It's a sight that hasn't changed much in centuries.

Countryside lovers are spoilt for choice here. Danebury Hill Fort dominates the skyline to the north - an Iron Age hillfort with cracking views across the Test Valley. The walk up takes about 20 minutes from town, passing through Danebury Hill itself before reaching the ancient earthworks. Further afield, Windmill Hill and Cleeve Hill offer longer rambles through classic Hampshire downland.

Winchester lies 12 miles northeast, easily reached by car in 20 minutes, while Salisbury sits a similar distance south. The A30 runs right through Stockbridge, making it dead easy to reach from either direction. There's a railway station at nearby Andover for those coming by train.

Staying at one of the local holiday parks puts you right in prime walking country. The Test Way long-distance footpath passes through town, while ancient woodlands like The Groves and Stonehanger Copse provide shaded walks on hot summer days. It's an ideal spot for exploring both the North Wessex Downs and the edge of the New Forest without the tourist crowds.