Last updated May 29, 2024
We have revised the route descriptions for all 21 Circular Walks to take into account footpath diversions due to construction of the High Speed 2 railway line and various housing developments in this area.
A large housing development at Pickford Green has meant a change to the start of the route of Walk 1.
Construction of the HS2 railway line and the associated stopping up of the old Greenway and replacing it with a new Greenway and cycle route between Kenilworth and Berkswell, together with re-routing of other footpaths mean the old Walk 2 is no longer viable. A new Walk 2 has been devised.
Disruption of footpaths by HS2 construction have also affected the old Walk 3. Sections of the old Walks 2 and 3 have been amalgamated to realise a new Walk 3.
The route for the the first few miles of Walk 4 has been revised to take into account changes to the Kenilworth end of the Greenway/cycle route and major works on the HS2 railway line route.
Walk 5 is now slightly longer due to two HS2 diversions, between Warwick Uni & Kenilworth; and between Kenilworth Golf Course & Kingswood Farm. A small diversion has also been added to include the Lunt Roman Fort, rather than bypassing it.
The route of Walk 6 has been completely revised to remove some increasingly busy and noisy road sections and to accommodate the closure of the footpath from the Stoneleigh Park entrance down to Stare Bridge.
Due to HS2 footpath closures with no suitable diversions, Walk 7 has been considerably changed using alternative paths via Weston-under-Wetherley, the River Leam, Hunningham, Wappenbury, Wappenbury Wood and Bubbenhall Meadow. The distances for the Main Walk and Route A are
almost the same as for the previous routes, and a section of A Coventry Way is still included.
Walk 8 is almost the same as the original Walk 8 with one minor amendment.
Walk 9, a new walk around ‘wild’ Dunsmore Heath, has been substantially revised because both the previous Main Walk and Route A involved direct crossings of the A45, which are now deemed to be unsafe.
Walk 10 remains true to the original walk, but be aware that the footpaths from Wolston to Church Lawford entail crossing many stiles.
Walk 11 follows the original route via Brinklow village; then deviates with a new Route A, avoiding 1.2km of enclosed path through Brinklow Quarry and a stretch along the busy B4027 with no pavement; together with an amended Main Walk, to include far-reaching views from Brinklow Heath and avoiding the ditch behind the old Speedway Stadium.
There are amendments to both original Main Walk and Route A on Walk 12. The Main Walk is extended to Easenhall, and both routes include a tour of Brinklow Castle.
Walk 13 is very similiar to the original walk with a slight amendment between Withybrook and Hopsford Springs to avoid an overgrown and boggy area. The Main Walk now visits Shilton village to avoid a particularly vile farmyard.
Walk 14 differs from the original in 3 areas:
– The footpath from Hollyhurst Farm to Bulkington Bridge is no longer walkable due to the development of the Equestrian Centre at Weston Lawns Farm. The field close to the farm is now divided into a number horse paddocks with electric fences and no clear way through them. CCTV cameras and hostile dogs at Hollyhurst Farm provide a distinctly unfriendly environment. Apart from the path around the edge of Coalpit Fields Wood, there is also a lot of farm scrap and rubbish everywhere. The route now is a continuation of A Coventry Way to Bedworth Hill Bridge, then canal to Bulkington Bridge.
– The track parallel to the canal after Bulkington Bridge is obliterated by brambles and never used. The route therefore continues along the canal for approx. 200m to turn off onto a path to cross the footbridge over Wem Brook.
– The return to Ansty from Shilton is now via St James’ Church, rather than through Ansty Golf Centre. This is more interesting and takes account of the extra distance caused by the earlier route change. (Walk 13 Route A passes through the Golf Centre).
The Route Description for Walk 15 has been re-written and the Information Notes expanded. The route itself is identical to the original Walk 15.
The Route Description for Walk 16 has been revised due to a number of footpath alterations. The current revision includes a diversion on the section between Weston-under-Wetherly and Hunningham due to the temporary removal of the footbridge crossing the River Leam.
The Route Description for Walk 17 has been re-written and the Information and Wildlife Notes considerably expanded. The route itself is identical to the original Walk 17.
The route of Walk 18 has been amended to avoid an unpleasant horse field, and to make use of alternative better-maintained footpaths. The associated Route A has also been amended.
Route A of Walk 19 has been amended to to avoid a hostile landowner’ land and to provide a more pleasant walking experience. Walkers can still visit Elkin Wood from Clay Lane and rejoin the route at Oak House.
The Route Description for Walk 20 has been re-written and the Information and Wildlife Notes considerably expanded. The route itself is identical to the original Walk 20.
The Route Description for Walk 21 has been replotted and re-written and the Information and Wildlife Notes considerably expanded. The walk is short (only 4 miles) so there is no short walk option.
The route descriptions for these walks in the 21 Walks book are no longer accurate and should be disregarded.
The route descriptions in the download pages are as up-to-date as we can make them.
Visit the 21 Walks download page for more information on individual walks.