Walk 3016 - Preston Bagot & Finwood from Henley-in-Arden

      
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Preston Bagot & Finwood from Henley-in-Arden

      
Click thumbnails for larger images.

This walk explores the Warwickshire countryside to the east of Henley-in-Arden using footpaths and towpaths. The walk starts by following clearly marked footpaths across fields to Preston Bagot with its picturesque church. The route continues to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and follows the towpath north to Finwood Bridge. The walk returns to Henley-in-Arden following the Heart of England Way.

The start is the High Street in Henley-in-Arden by the church (grid ref. SP151660). On Sundays on-street parking is plentiful although during the week you will need to park at one of the free long stay car parks as there is a 2 hour limit on on-street parking. After parking, walk down Beaudesert Lane on the south side of the church. Follow this lane past a further church and where the road turns right continue ahead on an enclosed footpath. Just after the school playing field (on your right), turn right. The path leads to a cul-de-sac. Cross straight over and continue into a small park. Go through the gate into the park and walk half left to pick up the footpath with steps climbing through some bushes. The path leads into a field and reaches a lane (grid ref. SP160658).

Cross the lane and follow the track with stables on your left. The path is well-marked and leads to an overgrown lane (grid ref. SP163658). The path does a dog leg through this and emerges into fields on the other side. Good waymarking means that it is difficult to go astray and the route continues across fields to reach a complex path junction with stiles and signs (grid ref. SP167659). Go straight on here and this leads you to a lane with Church farm on your left. Cross the lane and follow the narrow path between hedges up to Preston Bagot church. Keeping the church on your left, walk past the church to reach a lane.

Cross the lane and take the footpath opposite. In the first field aim for the gap in the hedge straight ahead. Once through the gap, bear right and with the hedge on your right continue to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and reach the canal. Turn left (northeast) along the canal. Note the distinctive lifting bridges by the locks. Stay on the towpath through pleasant countryside. You pass a number of locks and cross the short Yarningale Aqueduct. This is a very pleasant stretch of canal and the distance soon passes and you reach Lowsonford Bridge with its adjacent lock and lock-keepers cottage.

Continue on the towpath to the next bridge – Finwood Bridge – where you leave the towpath. Turn west down Mill lane to the road junction. Go straight over following the Heart of England Way signs. The route is never in doubt with effective waymarking and a well trodden path. Do note the dog-leg at grid reference SP182678) where you cross the old railway track. The path then enters a small wood before re-crossing the old railway and joining a lane (grid ref. SP174672).

Turn right down the lane and take the signed path beside the entrance to Holly Bank Farm (now a private house) and continue on the Heart of England Way. The path is generally easy top follow with regular waymarks and clear evidence that the path is regularly walked. The route crosses Edge Lane (grid ref. SP163667) before emerging at the top of a slope with good views across the Warwickshire countryside on your right. Follow the path as it drops down before crossing one of the earthworks of Beaudesert Castle. The only remains of this Motte and Bailey Castle are the earthworks and you can appreciate the excellent position the defenders had from this hill. Descend steeply down the western flank to join the outward route. All that remains is the short stroll back to the High Street.

OS Map showing start

Ordnance Survey Map showing starting point of walk - Click Here

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet 220
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 151

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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