7 Best Walks In Warwickshire
Warwickshire is in the heart of England and perhaps best known for its association with William Shakespeare, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon (one of the county’s most popular towns). But did you know that it’s also an excellent place to go walking?
Whether you’re admiring the wildlife at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve or pottering around the pretty villages, the Warwickshire countryside is absolutely sublime. So good, in fact, that you’re bound to want to stay for a while – and you can do that by booking yourself into a Warwickshire campsite for a couple of nights.
Getting around on foot is by far the best way to explore the beauty of this region. So, take a look at our list of the 7 best walks in Warwickshire and get ready to stretch those legs.
Packwood House
Packwood House is a Grade I-listed property that is owned and managed by the National Trust. It was built in the 16th century and its interiors were lovingly restored in the 1920s by a gentleman named Graham Baron Ash, who transformed the property from a farmhouse into an enchanting vision of a Tudor home.
It’s a marvellous location for a family day out. There is an on-site shop, café and a number of walking trails to explore here, including a short circular walk through the park and up to St Giles church, which should take under two hours to complete.
For a longer walk of around five miles, cross the moat and head over the fields to the Baddesley Clinton estate (more on this location below) via the Stratford-upon-Avon canal.
If you’ve got any four-legged friends with you, they’re welcome on the estate’s public footpaths, on the café terrace and in the barnyard as long as they’re kept on a lead. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and garden.
Want to spend some more time in this area? Browse some campsites near Stratford-upon Avon to use as a base throughout your trip.
Baddesley Clinton
This concealed and intimate 16th-century estate is in the Forest of Arden and was home to the Ferrers family for over 500 years. Henry Ferrers, an English antiquarian and MP, built most of the house which was also a place of refuge for persecuted Catholics during the 1590s.
The gardens at Baddesley Clinton are magical in all seasons. If you want to take it slow, then go for a gentle stroll through the walled garden and vegetable patch. Alternatively, you can try the circular walk to Packwood estate where you’ll return via the Grand Union Canal.
Dogs are allowed on all of the public footpaths here so if you have a pooch with you, bring them along to enjoy the sounds, smells and scenery of this lovely estate.
Preston Bagot and the Crabmill Canal Circular
This loop trail is near Henley-in-Arden in the Warwickshire countryside. It’s just under four miles long and starts at the Crabmill, which is a fantastic spot to stop for a bite to eat and drink before or after your walk.
The route joins part of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal towpath where there’s lots of wildlife, canal barges and people to see. You’ll end up at Preston Bagot church, on a hilltop with impressive views over the surrounding countryside.
It’s a relatively easy walk but some of the fields you go through may be boggy so it’s a good idea to wear a pair of boots or wellies.
Browse our suggestions of 9 things to do In Warwickshire before planning your stay.
Centenary Way
Fancy a long-distance walk? Then try part (or all) of the Centenary Way – a 100-mile path that was built to celebrate one hundred years of Warwickshire County Council.
It starts at Kingsbury Water Park in the north of the county and weaves its way down to the pretty parish of Upper Quinton on the Gloucestershire border. Points of interest along the way include Kenilworth Castle and Warwick Castle as well as parts of the river Avon and river Leam.
The route is one of the more challenging walks in Coventry and Warwickshire but it can be split into 17 stages of varying lengths. If you don’t want to attempt anything too difficult, then try the fifth section from Stoneleigh to Leamington Spa. You’ll stroll through a mix of farmland and town on this easy stretch, plus there are several shops and pubs to visit enroute.
Want to explore more historic and bustling places in the area? Take a look at the best Warwickshire towns to visit.
Ryton Pools Country Park
This park spans across an impressive 100 acres and one of its four pools covers approximately 10 of those acres. There are lots of different habitats here that are home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, so bring your camera or a pair of binoculars.
There’s a number of walking trails at the park, including a 2.6-mile circular route that provides access to Ryton Wood – one of the country’s largest surviving semi-natural ancient woodlands. It’s another splendid area to explore during your visit, as it covers over 200 acres of land and has been recognised as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
If you have a canine in tow, you’ll be glad to know that Ryton Pools welcomes dogs and they can be let off-lead in certain areas, as long as they’re under your close supervision.
To explore some more green spaces in the region, check out our list of the best parks in Warwickshire.
Avon river walk from Stratford to Welford
This scenic walk is just under six miles long and a terrific way to spend a few hours, particularly on a sunny day, as the surrounding scenery is just gorgeous.
You’ll start the route in the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. There’s plenty of things to see and do here including a tour of Anne Hathaway’s cottage and gardens – a 500-year-old building where the bard was said to have courted his bride-to-be.
When you’re ready to move on, follow the river all the way to the village of Welford-on-Avon – a designated conservation area with a number of traditional thatched roof cottages. The original ‘chocolate box cottage’ is on Boat Lane, thought to be the most photographed street in Warwickshire.
Take a look at campsites in Welford-on-Avon so you can stay here for a little longer.
Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve
This 220-acre nature reserve is on the banks of the river Avon and is known for the variety and quality of habitats – from pools and reedbeds to wildflower meadows and woodland. If you’re with the kids, then it’s worth exploring the education and sensory gardens here too.
There are two wild walks to choose from, both of which are easy to follow. The first is the 40-minute walk along the Kingfisher Trail – follow this route and you’re likely to spot wetland birds and an assortment of habitats. There’s also a viewing point enroute where you can see the nine-metre-tall osprey platform across the reedbed.
The second option is the Woodpecker Trail, a 20-minute stroll where you can admire a series of sculptures including two carved benches, a giant alder cone and a couple of other exhibits inspired by the well-loved wildlife in the reserve.
There are a total of nine hides here, where you can get up close and personal with a whole host of wildlife. Take the time to stop and listen to the birdsong – as Shakespeare said: ‘the earth has music for those who listen’.
Planning your next trip away? Check out our Central England Camping Guide to find out more about the region.