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Subject Topic: Illustrated midlands hike Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:23am
 Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
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This walk arose from this thread in the 'Meeting up and Getting Together Forum' here on UKCS.

Recently, a group of members (including me) who have never backpacked have decided to try it out. We plan to pack our rucksacks with minimalist camping gear, park our cars in a secure location then hike to a campsite, set up camp overnight, then hike back to the cars next day (see thread link above)

As a preliminary to our little adventure, several of us thought it might be sensible to practice walking with loaded packs. We discussed routes and came up with a nice canal-based walk located centrally in the heart of Warwickshire.

As I live locally I decided to 'road test' the route before we committed ourselves. So on a bright February morning I drove to the village of Lapworth which is at the junction of the Grand Union Canal and the Stratford canal between Warwick and Solihull at OS Grid Ref SP 165 715.

Below is a map showing the walk marked with blue squares. The total distance is about four-and-a-half miles and mostly on level going. The countryside is pleasant wooded farmland.



As this wasn't a dry run for the backpacking trip, I didn't carry a rucksack. However, the preceding week had been wet so I wore walking boots. The route breaks down into three types of walking - the canal towpath; metalled roads; and public footpaths across farmland. The sections along the canal are mostly surfaced with chippings but in wet weather can be muddy in places; the footpath is rather muddy at this time of year but mostly good going; and the roads are not too busy with traffic.

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PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:25am
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The walk starts at the Navigation Inn pub (below) which stands beside the Grand Union Canal on the B4439 road. Leave the car in the pub carpark, cross the canal bridge and descend to the towpath.



The photo below is looking north back to the bridge from the towpath. Note that it is a bit muddy after several days of rain. The walk heads south along the towpath from here (behind the photographer)



About 300 yards south of the pub is a canal junction. The Grand Union Canal continues south towards Warwick and a short branch canal leads to the Stratford Canal to the west. The towpath crosses over the branch canal on a brick arch bridge (below). We cross the bridge then turn right to walk along the branch canal towpath.




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Post last edited on 25/02/2011 11:30:26


PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:29am
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The photo below shows the view along the branch from the Grand Union. The blue bridge carries the Chiltern Railways line over the canal (Lapworth railway station is about half-a-mile from here). Beyond the bridge is another canal junction where the Stratford Canal itself heads south (to our left) to Stratford-upon-Avon and north (to our right) towards Birmingham. We shall follow it north so we need to head right at the end of the branch.



The photo below shows the view north as we leave the junction. The towpath is on the left of the photo and to the right is a canal reservoir used as a morring for narrowboats.



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PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:30am
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Leaving the reservoir behind, we continue north on the towpath past the locks of the Lapworth flight (below). The path is a bit muddy in wet weather here and is on a gently rising gradient.



At first the locks are spread out but after about a quarter of a mile we reach 'the thick' where the locks are closely spaced (below). The path is well surfaced at this point although the gradient is slightly steeper. Note, too, the towpath is now on the right (east) side of the canal having crossed on a small bridge.



After the locks the towpath changes sides again and a level section (below) leads to the bridge carrying the B4439 road over the Stratford Canal. We walk under the bridge and leave the towpath to emerge at a road junction (see map).



At the junction we turn right (north) following the signs for Packwood (below).



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Post last edited on 25/02/2011 11:31:52


PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:30am
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After passing a minor junction (see map) the road approaches Packwwod House (below), a National Trust property. This section of road is fairly lightly trafficed although in the summer there may be coaches bringing tourists to Packwood.



Below is a photo of Packwwod House itself. It stands on the west side of the road (to our leftt) but we shall head off on a footpath to the east opposite the house itself.



The photo below shows the start of the footpath - we ascend the steps and go through the gate at the top. A sign warns that dogs should be on a lead.



Once through the gate, we emerge onto open pastureland and head east along an avenue of ancient trees. On the day of my visit there were sheep grazing so I kept the dog on her lead here.



Continues...


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PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:31am
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After two hundred yards, there is a gate and the avenue continues. From here it is fenced off from the adjoining pasture so it is safe to let dogs off the lead. This section of the footpath is gently undulating and quite muddy.



After a very pleasant walk along the avenue of trees, we emerge on another metalled road (below). Once through the gate we turn right, cross the road, then almost immediately turn left down a farm track.



Below is the farm track down to Uplands Farm. At the bottom, we shall turn left psat the farm buildings.



After passing Uplands Farm, the footpath turns south. The first waymark sign is hard to spot. The path passes through bushes and crosses another track (below).



After crossing a grassy stretch (in the photo above), a stile leads into an arable field (below). The 200 yards along the headland of this field was the only really muddy section of the whole walk.



Continues...


PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:32am
 Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
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The path continues past some houses then emerges on a road, Rising Lane, at the point where it crosses the railway on this bridge (below). We follow Rising Lane down the hill towards the Grand Union canal (see map).



After half-a-mile or so, Rising Lane crosses the Grand Union canal on this hump-backed bridge (below).



Just before the bridge, we walk down onto the Grand Union towpath to head south on the final leg of our walk. Here is a view looking back at the bridge from the canal.



Continues...


PersonSceptical Camper
25/2/2011 at 10:34am
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Once we are off the road, dogs can safely be let off the lead. Below is a photo of my terrier trotting along the towpath with Rising Lane bridge in the distance. The path is reasonably good along this last mile back to the Navigation Inn



Nearly there! The canal is straight and level along this section but there is nice scenery on either side of the waterway. The photo below is looking back towards Rising Lane along the mile or so we have just walked. The Navigation Inn is a short distance behind the photographer.



What could be better than a pub to end a pleasant walk?


PersonFotogen
25/2/2011 at 11:41am
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Hi Skep
Brilliant photography and perhaps a guide book in the making??!!
At one time I would have joined you - the mind says yes!yes! and the knees etc now say No!No!
I have hiked in many areas of England and Wales, and with my did husband 'The Limestone Way' about 40 miles carrying full camping gear overnight. That was a one off but plenty shorter practice trips.
There are various 'bugs' associated with camping and I think you are about to discover another with backpacking. The pub at the end of the hike or after pitching is always the best one in the world.


-------------
Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day


valbarley
25/2/2011 at 12:04pm
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Yay thanks scep for posting the pics!

Looking forward to dragging my arse and the dogs round it!

Be good if it dries out a bit my boots are going to be muddied up totally!

If i get a weekend free might try the other half of the route, then we can join it all together!


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Personglynnis51
25/2/2011 at 12:59pm
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Great post scep. Makes me want to walk it now!!!

-------------
Enjoy life whilst you can, it doesn't last for ever!!!!!!


Personcazz51
25/2/2011 at 10:28pm
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Love the avenue of ancient trees, love those old houses with their arts and crafts chimneys (I think that's the era) and love the colourful reservoir of canalboats. Glad your doggy got a pic. If Val does other half will make a great walk never mind practice. Count me in if I can make the weekend it eventually gets sorted.

 



-------------
Smoky + Ella


PersonSceptical Camper
26/2/2011 at 9:13am
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Quote: Originally posted by cazz51 on 25/2/2011
Count me in if I can make the weekend it eventually gets sorted.

Consider yourself counted in Smoky



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