The Test Valley Rambler - a new summer route for Bluestar!

Introducing the Test Valley Rambler!

This brand new route for 2024 is seasonal route that takes the scenic route from Romsey to Andover passing through small villages and visiting plenty of landmarks and attractions along the way. Whether you're looking to discover a new place, head out on a walk or have a tipple in a quaint pub, this is the route for you.

The Test Valley Rambler has been created in partnership by Hampshire County Council, Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership, South Western Railway and Bluestar and will run on Sundays between 21 July and 15 September running 3 trips per day. It will also run on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August.

Highlights along the route include Mottisfont Abbey, Houghton Lodge Gardens, Stockbridge High Street, Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort, Army Flying Museum and the Hawk Conservancy Trust. There are also several pubs along the way and opportunities to walk sections of the Test Way.

We’re looking forward to running this attractive bus route, which is an excellent addition to our already existing Winchester to Petersfield service, the South Downs Rambler. 

It will be easy to connect to this service, either at Romsey bus station with the Bluestar 4, rail services at Romsey railway station, or in Andover from the railway station and other local bus services.

There really couldn’t be a better time of year to explore this beautiful part of the country. The Test Valley Rambler is perfect for those looking to discover a new place, heading out for a walk or seeking a tipple in a quaint pub.

We’re expecting the service to be well-used throughout the summer. And, any single journey along the whole or part of the route is capped at £2, as part of the Government’s Help for Households scheme.

Nick Farthing, from Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, added: “It has been our aspiration for a number of years to introduce a car-free day out, linking bus and rail through the Test Valley, following the route of the old ‘Spratt & Winkle' railway from Romsey-Stockbridge-Andover. We are delighted to have partnered with Bluestar to run these buses and are indebted to South Western Railway for funding from its CCIF. We hope the Test Valley Rambler will be as popular as our other ‘Rambler’ bus-rail link also run by Bluestar, linking Winchester Rail Station with Petersfield Rail Station, which runs to similar dates as the Test Valley route.”

Click here to find out more about the Test Valley Rambler...

You may be interested in our South Downs Rambler route between Winchester and Petersfield...

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!