Walking Britain Warwickshire Walk
River Avon & Cleeve Prior from Bidford-on-Avon
Walk Route Description
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This pleasant Warwickshire walk starts from the medieval bridge across the River Avon at Bidford-on-Avon and follows a picturesque section of the river downstream to Cleeve Prior. From here the walk makes its way through the village passing a fine manor house before crossing rolling countryside to reach the pretty village of Marlcliff with its half-timbered cottages. The final section back to the start crosses "Big Meadow" which makes an ideal place for a picnic or relaxation.
The start is the car park on the south side of the medieval bridge at Bidford-on-Avon (grid ref. SP099517). After parking make your way to the River Avon and follow the riverside path south (with the river to your right). Follow the path and later a track alongside the river with the wooded slopes of Marlcliff Hill on your left to reach Marlcliff Lock where there always seems to be boats busy on the river. Keep to the left of the lock and continue on a narrower path that runs beside the river as it meanders across the flood plain.
Entering a wood, the path makes its way uphill to a wooden gate. Turn right along the path beside the edge of the wood. Continue past a house and follow the drive for about 200 metres. Walk left between bollards and along the edge of a field keeping an orchard to your right. Past a house and go through a gate to follow the lane into Cleeve Prior. Take the first lane on the left, then bear right to reach the main road through the village.
Turn left through the village of Cleeve Prior as far as the 'The Green' with its fine church, an old school and a fine example of topiary. Enter the churchyard through wrought iron gates. Keeping the church on your right, walk through a gap in the row of trees and continue to a kissing gate. The path passes a manor house and lovely dovecote on your right to reach a gate and footbridge. The onward path heads roughly north-east across a number of fields to reach Marlcliff via steps which lead to the village green.
Go straight ahead into a cul-de-sac with attractive cottages and hoses on either side. At the end of cul-de-sac, pick up the path which leads across a number of fields to regain the car park where you began the walk.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 205 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 205 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
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