Itchen Abbas, Chilland and Martyr Worthy

Itchen Abbas is a tranquil village with half-timbered and thatched houses shaded by massive oaks and beeches. Mosaic floors have been discovered at a nearby Roman villa site, alongside a coin from the reign of the Emperor Domitian. The beauty of the surroundings attracted Charles Kingsley, who wrote part of 'The Water-Babies' while staying at the Plough Inn, and W. H. Hudson, who described a summer spent here in 1900 in 'Hampshire Days'.

Passing the brick water mill at Chilland, you cross a lovely part of the river by a long low plank bridge into the tiny village of Martyr Worthy, designated an SSSI. The local church dates from the 12th century and features finely carved doors and interesting memorials.

The crystal-clear chalk stream provides an ideal natural habitat for water crowfoot, dabchicks, herons, and trout, making this picturesque valley a true naturalist's paradise.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.