27 Sep 2026
Walk along the beautiful Test Way with a group, with the dog, or on your own, to support better mental health services in Hampshire.
Walk along the beautiful Test Way with a group, with the dog, or on your own, to support better mental health services in Hampshire.
The walk is great fun and suitable for a mix of abilities.
Launched in 2023 by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test, Walk the Test Way sees crowds of walkers each year, proudly supporting their chosen charities. This joyful event centres around raising money, spreading awareness and celebrating community.
Get cheered into Romsey Memorial Park as you complete your walk and receive your well earned medal. The Solent Mind team will be there with a warm welcome, a place to sit and rest, and refreshments. There are plenty of beautiful stopping points along the way, with picturesque scenery, pubs, cafes and picnic areas.
Be part of Walk the Test Way this September and do something positive for your own mental wellbeing, as well as raising money to help others.
Event details
When: Sunday 27 September 2026
Where: Start at Crossfield Hall, Romsey where you will be taken by private coach to your chosen starting location, completing your walk at the finishing line in Romsey War Memorial Park
Distance: Choose from 5 miles, 8 miles, 11 miles, 16 miles, or take on the 25.5 miles
Pick the challenge that suits you:
All walkers will register at Crossfield Hall, Romsey where you will be taken by private coach to your chosen starting location.
Around 700 walkers take part in this event, all supporting different charities, so you will see lots of others on the same route, no matter the distance you choose.
All routes are fully marshalled, so even if you are taking part solo, there will be lots of smiling faces encouraging you onward.
The walk is also well signposted and there are plenty of stops along the way. From beautiful countryside photo stops, to cafes, pubs and picnic areas, you can do it at your own pace. There are also additional toilet stops for walkers along the route.
All distances conclude at Romsey Memorial Park, where you will cross the finish line to a big cheer. This is where all the charities will be set up waiting to greet walkers, and you will receive your medal from the Rotary Club of Romsey Test.
There is a small registration fee which covers transport and insurance for the event.
You can sign up as an individual or a team, the registration fee will be the same per person.
We kindly ask that you aim for a fundraising target of £100 per person taking part in Walk the Test Way, whatever distance you choose. If you raise £50 or more, we will send you a Solent Mind t-shirt to proudly wear on event day.
Registration opens 1 May 2026
Yes, but under 18's must be registered by their parent or guardian. Under 16's should also be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Regrettably, experience has shown that the walk is not suitable for prams and pushchairs - in places encroaching vegetation makes the path narrow and only suitable for single file walking, in addition there are stiles, kissing gates, and narrow boardwalks over very boggy ground.
We recommend walking with a child if they can walk on their own, or to use a hiking child carrier that can be worn on your back.
Yes, you can walk in a group of any size, have a team name ready upon signing up. We encourage you to all do the same distance. If you want to do different distances within your group, you will need to do some careful planning for a meeting place. Please email us at fundraising@solentmind.org.uk if you wish to do this, we can help.
Sorry there is no discount for groups, the registration fee covers transport and insurance costs. There is an Early Bird discounted registration fee available until 31st July.
The coaches are organised and managed by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test, and they will do their best to keep you together, however it's not guaranteed. Should you be in a large team and need to be split, coaches for the same starting point will arrive within a few minutes of each other.
Yes, but they must be kept on a short lead as the route will take you past livestock in some places. Dogs will be allowed on buses provided they are well behaved and kept off the seats.
Yes - otherwise you will not be included in the transport planning so will not have a place reserved on the bus which may be full. Registration fees cover transport costs, insurance and paramedic cover amongst other organisational costs.
Regrettably, the route is not suitable for wheelchairs, in places encroaching vegetation makes the path narrow and only suitable for single file walking, in addition there are stiles; kissing gates; and narrow boardwalks over boggy ground.
Leave the Memorial Park through the main gates, turn right over the bridge, follow the road up to and through the arch at the top, in to the town Market Place. From there directions to the various car parks will be best found using the car parking map.
Crossfield Hall (the registration point) is about a 10 minute walk from the Romsey War Memorial Park (the finishing point), so check the maps to best plan your parking as it can get busy on event day.
When you Walk the Test Way for Solent Mind, we’ll make sure you're fully supported and celebrated every step of the way!
Here’s what you’ll get:
Nobody should face a mental health problem alone. With your support, we can be there for anyone who needs us.
Nobody should face a mental health problem alone. Help us be there for anyone who needs us.
We know that getting active does great things for our mental health, so by taking on a challenge in aid of Solent Mind, you too will feel the benefits!
