The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Hampton On The Hill & Warwick (11)

Back on the Shakespeare's Way after a bit of a break. Like the last time we have blue skies and sunshine. I'm taking a bit of a gamble with just the fleece over a jumper. Slightly strange walk as like the last time we will be going across Warwick Racecourse. It is tricky at times to plan a circular walk that takes in as much of the path as possible without some duplication. The starting point is the village of Hampton on the Hill, which lies a couple of miles west of Warwick. We will be walking in a clockwise direction today, passing the village of Budbrooke. The village of Budbrooke is extremely small but the parish is is dominated by the Hampton Magna housing estate.

 We are soon out across the open fields. The little blue circular sign on the gatepost reassuringly tells us that we are on The Shakespeares Avon Way.  

 

 

It has turned decidedly chilly ... Only one thing to do start on the packed lunch early.  Which really means to eat the lot. It seems to do the trick and  we continue across some lovely sweeping countryside. 

We reach the railway line that runs between Birmingham and London. It was originally built in 1848 by the Great Western Railway (GWR) and is now operated by Chiltern Rail. Stem Trains can also be seen on the line and struggle up the slope of Hatton Hill. The bridge on Dark Lane we are about to cross is a great place for train spotters. 

 

Some lovely views as well from the Railway Bridge looking towards Hatton Locks. Which is where we are heading off to next. A flight of 21  locks spanning less than 2 miles on what is now The Grand Union Canal.

The flight was opened in December 1799 on the Warwick and Birmingham Canal. 

The flight was known as the "stairway to heaven" due to the difficulty of the flight and the subsequent easier journey to Camp Hill. 

It is always good fun to walk canalside. The new locks were opened by the Duke of Kent in 1934; they can take two narrow boats side by side. Some of the original narrow locks can still be seen alongside the new ones.

 

 

 

We leave the canal at the same point as on the previous walk. Only this time we had approached from a different direction, if you follow my drift. We are going back over Warwick Racecourse again, albeit from a slightly different and planned approach. There was a race meeting yesterday so we are safe to proceed with getting trampled by a horse. Although as the sign says the footpath is closed when a meeting is taking place. All we have to be wary of is the odd stray golf ball from the course on the inside of the racecourse. 

Speaking of golf balls I could see one amongst the brambles. With a bit of wriggling and squeezing, I did manage to retrieve the lost ball with fairly minimal cuts and scratches. It turned out to be a practice ball from the Driving Range, very disappointing. The disappointment only got worse as a bit further on the balls were all over the place. 

Instead of walking into the centre of Warwick as we did last time we have a long road stretch to Longbridge. The A429 Stratford road to be precise. 

We pass Longbridge Manor the former home to the Friars of Thellesford  In the reign of King John (1199-1216). It was confiscated, along with other property owned by the Friars, on the orders of Henry VIII on 26 October 1539. These days it seems to be a place of business for health and beauty products. We cross over the busy M40.

We are now in the Sherbourne area and taking our lives in our hands again cross the A46 dual carriageway. With the busy roads behind us it is good to get back amongst the fields, streams and trees again. We pick up the Shakespeare's Avon Way once again. Being a circular walk of course we have to cross the M40 once again. 

There isn't too much to report for the remainder of the walk sadly. It is a gradual climb back up to Hampton on the Hill. This was never really going to be one of the stand out routes on the SAW, but it has had it's moments for sure. 

The walk was a total of just over 11 miles.