Hillmorton is our starting point on the next leg of the Shakespeare's Avon Way. Not quite picking up from where we left off last time but the intended route will be the same at least.
We are parked up in the Church of St John the Baptist Car Park. I did make a donation to church funds to show our gratitude. The church of St.John the Baptist in lower Hillmorton is the oldest
building in the locality with the oldest parts dating from the13th Century.
We are right on the Oxford canal but decide to walk in an anti-clockwise direction, leaving the canal stretch until last. We will head out towards Lilbourne starting with what looks on paper the least interesting part of the walk.
It's a lovely clear and sunny day once again just perfect for walking.
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| Church of St John the Baptist Hillmorton |
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| Old Radio Mast anchor point |
To the east of Hillmorton is the former site of the once famous Radio masts that were opened in opened in 1926, and contained radio masts 820-ft (294 metres) high. For many years this was a major landmark. Coming down the motorway you would always know when nearing home when the masts came into view. All that remains now are the large wedge shaped concrete anchor points that once secured them. The last of the masts came down in 2007 and now a housing estate is being built.
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| All Saints Church Lilbourne |
Arriving in Lilbourne we first pass the War memorial and then the Head of Steam Public House.The Head of Steam became Lilbourne's only pub since 'The Bell' closed it's doors some 15 years previous and been converted into a private residence. The villages name means 'Lilla's stream'.
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| Another Motte & Bailey and view back |
As we climb the hill away from Lilbourne we find another 'Motte & Bailey'. The monument at Lilbourne Gorse is one of two closely associated motte and bailey castles which lie within 800m of each other. Both the motte and the bailey are essentially undisturbed and survive in good condition. The motte and bailey stands in an isolated position on high ground, looking towards Watling Street to the west.
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| Dow Bridge |
Dow Bridge is where the A5 Watling Street crosses the River Avon. We make a slight detour to take a closer look. This involves quite a bit of clambering and climbing through brambles. It is the point where the three counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire all meet, forming a tripoint. A bridge has existed here since Roman times. It consists of five brick
arches, with stone quoins.Built to carry foot passengers and horses. The bridge was rebuilt in around 1776 and again in 1838. It is now disused having been replaced by a modern road bridge to the west which was built in the 1930s
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| St Mary's Church |
Having survived Dow Bridge with only minor abrasions we arrive in the village of Clifton-Upon- Dunsmore. The most easterly village in Warwickshire and West Midlands for that matter.
We pass the church and a lovely looking pub called 'The Bull.Originally a farmhouse, and according to a plaque on the entrance it was built in 1598 and became a public house in 1825. There were rooms for travellers and stables for their horses, some evidence of which still survives. We pass under a railway bridge and are then back on the canal.
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| Oxford Canal |
There is the odd walker and a few cyclists but generally pretty quiet. We hear Church music coming from a narrow boat and it is obviously the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh that they are watching. We continue following the canal back to our starting point at Hillmorton.
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| Bridges new and old |
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