Millennium Way Full Walk
West to East
Walk Overview
Walking the full 100 miles of the Millennium Way West to East
Walk Instructions
Pershore to Stoulton
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 150 - Explorer 190
Video: Planning to Walk the Millennium Way
Please note: After heavy rain the start of the route, which follows the river for over a mile, is sometimes closed due to flooding and/or damage to bridges. If so, an alternative route is to pass the first kissing gate in the railings and continue up Bridge Street towards the town, shortly to reach the Toll House L. Take the cut through by the side of the Toll House to arrive in Nogains. Continue along to reach Defford Road (B4536) and turn L. Continue along the B4536 for just over half a mile to reach the main A4104. Turn L here for 200 yards, then take the public bridleway R, by a house called ***The Farthings and follow the instructions from there.
From Pershore take the B4084 towards Evesham. Just on the outskirts, go over the River Avon and turn immediately L into Pershore Bridge Car Park.
Leave the car park by crossing the River Avon on the old bridge used by Cromwell. Cross the B4084 and go L to find a kissing gate in the railings just before the new bridge. Take steps down to go with River Avon on your L.
Follow the bank of the Avon for 1/2 mile to cross foot bridge and go ahead to cross second foot bridge and go ahead for a further 1/2 mile to find a third foot bridge. Take this double gated foot bridge and go ahead to take a further double gated footbridge. Immediately go R with hedge R to take gate, then further gate to road.
Go R on main road and at garden centre cross road and go up slope by house called ***The Farthings marked as a Bridle path.
At the top of lane go through five bar gate to R of Woodmans Cottage. Go ahead on grassy vehicle track between light fencing to find wooden gate.
Take gate into the ancient Tyddesley wood and go ahead down bridle path through wood.
Cross logging road and continue through wood, ignoring side paths and maintain line down to bridge over Bow Brook.
Go through kissing gate and up field with deep ditch R to take gate at the top corner of field to road. This is Salters Lane.
Here we have a temporary diversion of the MW owing to a collapsed bridge at SO 917 456
Turn R on Salters Lane for approx 1/4 mile then take footpath left through gap next to five bar gate to continue with hedge L and ditch R. Stay between hedge L, trees & ditch R to end of hedge & trees.
Facining forward, go 1/2 R to hedgeline to find waymarked footbridge between two oak trees close together, the right one ivy covered.
Cross footbridge & head over next field to find footbridge to L of oak tree in top R field corner.
You have now rejoined the MW
Cross footbridge, go diagonally 1/2 L to find field corner gap to road. You are now at Crabbe Common T-junction.
Turn L and follow the road direction Croome / Kempsey for 600 yards.
Take roadside hedge gap R. Head just to R of lone tree and at far field edge find hedge stile and footbridge L.
Cross stile and footbridge and go 1/4 L across field to find hidden waymark post in bushes at wood edge. Turn L keeping the wood R. After 150 yards come to road.
Go R 20 paces and then L on grassy bridleway into Croome Perry Wood. Turn R as the bridleway does and carry on with main body of the wood on your L. Exit wood to grassy track and then go ahead to join road into Wadborough.
Enter Wadborough village and pass the Masons Arms on L.
Go 100 yards past pub and take stile R. Take footpath ahead to cross several fields and stiles with hedge R to find stile to road (you will encounter electric fences in this section. Please look carefully for the insulated handles with a hook that enables safe passage through this electric fencing - please DO NOT attempt to climb over the fencing). Turn R for 200 yards and just before house R find gateway L .
Take gateway and go R along field edge with hedge R to pass to rear of houses. At field corner remain in this huge field and continue along field edge with woods R, over far corner stile. Go ahead still with woods R and over stile and ahead to end of woods. There are old horse jumps in this section.
Continue ahead with hedge R and go through dense undergrowth to find bridge over ditch. Ahead to lone tree, then aiming to L of red roofed house to find gap with rough vehicle way.
Go ahead down vehicle way to come to tarmac drive, over stream to road. Go L on road.
Pass Feli's Bar and Restaurant on your L. The route goes uphill until you meet the B4084. Keep on until crossroads where you turn R into Church Lane to St. Edmund's Church Stoulton.
Stoulton to North Piddle
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 150 - Explorer 190 & 204
(Note that the Millennium Way has been rerouted here with OS map changes pending, so follow your GPS or these instructions). Pass the church and take waymarked path R to L side of church. Take metal gate into lovely churchyard then exit by another metal gate, to take narrow path between hedge and fence. Exit by metal gate and turn L along grassy track between hedges. The track bears L to pass houses L to reach gap at the end of the track (do not take the first small gap you see but continue along to the gap at the end of the track). At gap turn R and continue down field keeping hedge R passing under power lines. On reaching field corner take the kissing gate R. Go ahead with hedge and stream L until, on the left, there is a bridge over the stream and a gate leading to a wood. Follow the footpath L around the wood with hedge L and the wood R. Path goes up hill to gate. Pass through gate - farm buildings are visible ahead. Go ahead to the farmyard and follow the farmyard track past barns (ignoring any left sign) until the track turns to the L at Windmill Hill Farm with a black and white house R.
Follow the bridleway behind a barn to a waymarked old metal gate. There is a modern metal 5 bar gate directly ahead but go L through the old gate then R keeping same direction. Continue ahead with hedge R, going through to the side of another 5 bar metal gate. Continue up the next field to cross large brick bridge over the main railway line.
Leaving the bridge go half L to the corner hedge up the field with a tree on the corner. At the hedge corner continue ahead with hedge R. Carry on with hedge R heading for a prominent group of poplar trees ahead. Looking slightly L you will see the blades of a modern windmill on the horizon.
On reaching the trees you will see they enclose a plantation. Do not enter the plantation. On the R is a track/bridleway. Follow this around some bends with the hedge fringing the plantation on L to reach a narrow road.
Cross road and go ahead on track (end of diversion). At end of track, by Kits Kitchens, take gap R and follow grassy track L to go behind buildings and down into field. Go ahead down field with hedge R to come to gap. Take gap and ahead up field with power lines L to come to mid hedge bridge and kissing gate. Take bridge and kissing gate and go slightly L with horse paddock on right to kissing gate to road (Pub 100 paces to your R - The Berkeley, Egdon).
Cross road and take kissing gate into field. Go diagonally across field to come to gate at far L field corner. Take gate and go L to reach far R corner gate leading to road. Go R on road for 220 paces. Just before trees find gate L with kissing gate. Take kissing gate and go ahead up field to far R corner kissing gate, before cottage. Do not take kissing gate, but stay in field. With back to kissing gate go ahead with fence R for some 70 paces to find awkward double fence stile R.
Take stile through garden and next stile through another garden to exit by another stile to field. Go R and follow round field edge with hedge R to exit by gap. Go through second field and exit by gap. In third field, after 50 paces, take hidden bridge / stile R. Go straight through undergrowth on indistinct path for 50 paces and then continue with hedge and brick wall L to road. Turn L and follow road to church gates entrance to the church R. Proceed through churchyard of St John the Baptist church. Exit churchyard behind church by far L corner hedge gap to road.
Go R on road and immediately take gap L into field. Keeping hedge R proceed to reach junction of roads. Turn R on minor road, which passes houses R and becomes a track. After 400 paces take careful note where the track bends to the right. Watch for finger post at marked gap L leading into copse. Take gap, through copse to find gate into field.
Go ahead through field hedge gap and then 1/2 L to find bridge and gate by trees. Take gate and go with hedge L to finally come to far L field gate. Through gate go R to find 7 bar metal gate leading into field.(/span)
Go R down field to find bridge over river. Cross river and go ahead to pass through trees, keep line of oak trees on L, aim for mid hedge gap (R of far church tower). Take gate and go ahead to find to top field gate.
Take gate and follow vehicle track to road. Over road into driveway of Holy Oak Farm go ahead on drive past 2 gates the second leading into field. (Down the field to your left about 300 yards is The Oak Pub / Hotel and Tearooms). Go ahead across field to find swing gate leading into grassy strip with house L, leading to road. Follow road ahead to pass Upton Snodsbury church L and reach road.
Cross road and take alleyway between houses to wooden kissing gate and go down field to metal kissing gate. Go 1/2 R towards lone tree, then continue with hedge R through 2 fields to field corner kissing gate to road.
(Here there is a slight difference from the Ordnance Survey Map so follow the GPS or these Cross road and take gap to L of metal gate (there may be a fence here). Go ahead on cinder path with river L to driveway go L to take bridge with double metal gate. Go ½R to field corner to take double metal gates by single tree. Go ahead with with hedge R around field corner through gap with hedge R.
Enter field and head L past mid field power poles to find gated hedge gap. Take gap through plantation to gate onto road. Cross the road and go over the metal stile by a gate and, after 12 paces, follow path through avenue of trees ignoring any paths to L or R to the end, Find plank bridge to R going L over stream and metal kissing gate. Take gate and go through copse, to exit by metal kissing gate. Cross field ahead to take corner kissing gate to road. Go L to crossroads at North Piddle.
North Piddle to Inkberrow
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 150 - Explorer 204 & 205
Go across crossroads then past the Moat House and, after 250 paces, take signed gap R.
Go up slope with hedge R to find double fence stile. Take stile and go ahead with hedge R to exit field at gate. Go ahead with hedge R to take kissing gate, go immediately R and take kissing gate. Go L with hedge L to take gate, continue with hedge L to take far corner gate. Go 1/2 L up field. Exit field by right hand of two stiles.
Go L with hedge and fence L to pass between two dew ponds to take stile. Go ahead to take gate, then L around tennis court to come to driveway. Go L on very short driveway to Radford Road, Flyford Flavell.
Turn R on road to pass church and The Boot Inn. Proceed straight across road junction and follow road past speed de-restriction sign and after 40 paces take gate L.
Go ahead with fence R across narrow unkempt field to metal gate. Take gate and go ahead towards hedge stile 20 paces to the R of corner gate (or just use gap). The village of Kington can be seen over to your R.
Take stile and go directly across centre of field to find stile. Take stile and go ahead over next field, passing dew pond, to come to mid hedge stile.
Take stile and go R to follow round field edge with hedge R. Ignore path R over stream, but continue to follow round field with hedge R to corner gap leading to road.
Crossing the road go slightly to the R and cross over stile. Go R and pass house on R, maintain line to find mid hedge stile.
Cross stile, go ahead, with wire fence L. Pass copse L and exit field by large metal gate. Go 1/2 L to take double stile / plank bridge then go ahead slightly L to take further double stile / plank bridge.
Go 1/2 L to left-hand corner field stile. Take stile and go under power cables down field to far bottom field corner. Some 30 paces to L of corner take double gated bridge over stream. Go diagonally R up field on sometimes ill defined path, to take gateway to main road (A422).
Cross road and take minor road uphill to Dormston for 1/3 mile. Find double metal gate R opposite the entrance to Hill Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast and take fence gap to L of gate.
Go ahead on track and past outbuildings. Keep ahead with hedge L to field edge gap. Continue ahead with hedge L. Where the hedge ends go diagonally L across field to find partially obscured waymarked gap 15 paces to R of field corner (if heavily cropped go around left edge of that field).
Take gap into coppice. Go ahead 5 paces and then L to take wooden gate in corner. Go diagonally R up centre of large field to L of far field corner coppice. Go R with hedge L to take gap ahead to field. Go diagonally L heading for Broadclose Farm buildings, under two sets of power lines to exit by waymarked metal gate in corner (there may be motocross events here from time to time).
Go ahead into farm with fence L to track and then ahead with fence R to take corner metal gate. Follow waymarks through this tricky litte section. Go left through another 5 bar gate and ahead to marker to turn R to go between farm barns. Go ahead to cross track and take fence stile into field.
Go 1/2 R to Stile/Bridge/Stile in sunken hedge gap. Ahead across field to exit by stile and ditch bridge. Go 1/4 L up field to take obscured stile in mid hedge gap.
Ahead with hedge L and gardens R to take small wooden gate to L of 5 bar wooden gate. Go ahead on track with hedge L to take further small wooden gate to L of another 5 bar wooden gate.
Continue on grass track to road. Go 1/2 L across Stonepit Lane to take steps up to alleyway between properties. Exit to grassy path and go L when Tuer Way is ahead (you can detour at this point a quarter of a mile to Inkberrow pubs and shop).
Inkberrow to Coughton
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 150 - Explorer 205 & 220)
Go down grassy path with back gardens R. Take stile and go with hedge L for 70 paces, then 25 paces diagonally R to hedge end, bear L to go with hedge L to road (Stonehouse Farm).
Turn R at road and go 250 paces to find footpath L just before house, follow path into sports field, go with hedge L to find field corner stile. Cross stile and go with hedge L for 40 paces to find and take mid fence stile. Go ahead with hedge R through two fields to cross road continuing with hedge and fence L. At bend in field take tricky stile in corner
Head diagonally down field to bottom corner to take stile onto road. Go R 10 paces and take stile R. Go straight up slope (probably the steepest on the whole trail) to find stile at top of hill (look back at the view). Take stile and go L around field edge with hedge L. On coming to a gate L you can go the other side of the hedge, otherwise continue to far field corner gate. Take gate, follow grassy track and after 30 paces find gates R.
Take gate and go ahead with hedge L to corner of field. At field corner go R 20 paces to take kissing gate L, passing pond L, into long narrow thicket.
Continue ahead to eventually exit by 3 bar fence stile to field. Turn L and cross field to R of large tree to stile. Cross stile go with hedge R to gated bridge in corner of field. Cross bridge and go 1/2 R to find double gated bridge by telegraph pole.
Take stile and go with hedge R to find corner gate R by cottage with thatched roof. Take gate and keep directly ahead, not straying into private garden, to road. Cross road, over stile to R of driveway, into cottage yard then into field.
Go with hedge R to corner scrub. Go up short incline to take hidden gate and go ahead. At field corner go L 50 paces to find gate R. Take gate and go through long tree lined path with hedge R to come to and take gate to road.
Turn R onto road and follow to Big Bouts Farm. Take farm drive and follow track round R then through gate. Ignore next gate immediately R and follow track L, with hedge R, until you reach another gate ahead. Ignore this next gate ahead and veer left following our green waymarker down to reach a green metal 5 bar gate at end of track.
Just before reaching the gate bear 1/2 L with hedge R to find new gated wooden bridge in hedge line. Take bridge to cross stream and then go half R to waymarked large metal gate. Stay across next field to cross stile/wooden bridge over ditch. Follow L around garden/paddock between hedge and wire fence, noting pond and jetty R. Take stile ahead, then with ditch L go ahead 20 paces to take another stile L.
Go R with hedge R to find and take corner fence stile. Go 1/2 L to mid fence stile. Take stile and go R through large coppice to find stile to road.
Turn L on road and after 200 paces take wide gap L opposite waymarkers. Follow path with hedge on R. 80 paces before field end take narrow gated gap in hedge. Go through gap and go with hedge L, passing Gas Compound on L to gate.
Take gate and follow track to gate to road. Cross road and take stile to go ahead with hedge R, pass through 5 fields maintaining line (note at bridge with numerous waymarks continue ahead). Eventually come to kissing gate leading to passageway to road.
Go L on road to T junction. Turn R to pass side of Nevill Arms pub to main road.
Cross main road and take stile L of gas sub station. Go with hedge L to exit field by stile to wood. Through wood and exit by stile into field. Note - you should notice that our waymarkers are changing from green and white to black and white as you enter Warwickshire.
Go 1/2 R to find fence and go with fence R to find mid fence stile. Take stile and make way through wood to exit by new gate onto downhill slope. Go downhill though trees with gully to R to lower field and bend L round the base of field mound to find track against hedge, to corner gate. Take gate and go R down track to find and take gate. Cross driveway to take further gate and go ahead with hedge R.
After second set of overhead power lines, take wide gap by yellow topped waypost and go forward on same line now with hedge L. Pass through one field and, in vast second field, go with hedge L - passing a solitary yewllow topped waypost by gap - do not take this gap L but continue on until you see another yellow topped waypost with black & white Millennium Way waymarkers by a gap. Ignore gap and continue forward for 60 paces, passing a tree with a bench, to then go L over a ditch via a small wooden bridge, with damaged handrails. Enter the field and go forward to hedge corner to continue up field with hedge R to exit field by far R corner gap to B4090 road.
Go R on road for 40 paces and take Coughton Lane L. Follow lane for 1 mile to come to down to main A435. Cross road at pedestrian lights to find travellers monument outside the National Trust Coughton Court.
Coughton to Henley in Arden
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 150 & 151 - Explorer 220
Go L after crossing pedestrian lights along main A435 to pass in front of Coughton Court and carpark entrance R. The Throckmorton pub is just up on the L, but is off the route by 150 paces. Once over River Arrow turn immediately R to pass in front of a pair of cottages to a kissing gate by a National Trust sign for Coughton Court. Take kissing gate and go half L across field to distant gate. Take gate and go with metal fence L to find corner gate by electricity pole. Take gate and go L along edge of field with hedge fence and ditch L to field corner. Turn R and go with hedge L to find "gate" by an oak tree.
Take "gate" and go 1/2 R across field to gate in hedge with ditch. Take gate and ahead, River Arrow bank on R. Go with river bank R to find foot bridge over river. Cross footbridge and go straight across field, aim for distant church. Go through kissing gate to R of church and along track to road.
At road turn R and proceed to pass a cottage on the L, then turn L off road by wide recessed field entrance and kissing gate on R. Go diagonally for a few yards to find a second kissing gate. Go with garden R to sharp R turn keeping garden R and pass along a sometimes overgrown fenced way at back of cottages. Go through metal gate. Proceed uphill with hedge L. Reach summit ignoring stile L to reach gate in top corner of field. Take gate and go ahead passing twin timber electricity poles in middle of field and continue downhill to find corner field gap in hedge.
Go ahead downhill along field edge with hedge L. At bottom of hill reach junction of three tracks. Take gate adjacent to house driveway and go through the actual garden with a deep ditch and hedge on your R and a pond L, to exit by gate.
Take gate and continue forward along field edge with ditch and hedge on your R towards big metal gate 30 paces L at end of field. Go through metal gate and cross a small broken bridge over narrow stream. Go through very marshy area and past waymark under wires. Taking a slight ? waymarked L, go over field to exit by mid field kissing gate.
Cross track and go through gate and ahead with fence R and ditch L to find drive way. Go L on driveway past a house with skylights and, where it turns into house, go ahead into field keeping hedge L. Observe rusty transformer on pole L. Go 80 paces to find waymark under trees on L. Now go 1/2 R across ill defined path to field corner gap L.
Take gap and go ahead with hedge L to exit by field corner gap. Ahead to exit next field by another corner gap.
Go through 5 bar gate and proceed uphill on clearly defined path. At brow go down to bottom of field corner, take gap and go ahead 50 paces to find wooden gate L.
Go through gate and go 1/2 R over field to mid hedge metal gate. Take gate and proceed along with hedge L to kissing gate to road. Turn R and after 80 paces walk under power lines uphill to Bannams Wood on your L. Swing right and continue forward on road to where road bends sharply R by a house. Here you turn L uphill onto a track into Bannams Wood. (The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest).
Go forward climbing quite steeply up track. At division of paths, just before brow of hill, with bench to mark 25th Anniversary of the Heart of England Way, turn R. Continue forward going left where track divides. Follow path for a distance as it meanders through attractive wood and eventually come to and take metal gate out of wood. Go with fence R to take stile.
Go quite steeply downhill with hedge on L to field corner, passing pond on L and then turn half L to go through copse to take kissing gate to road. Go straight across road and go through gap in hedge into field.
Follow field edge with hedge on L to field corner and pass through gap in hedge. Continue forward along field edge with hedge on L to field corner and go through gap. Go half R to stile in centre of far hedge. Cross and go forward across centre of field to stile and wooden planked footbridge over deep ditch in hedge. Cross and continue ahead over top of hill and on to stile in double fenced hedge in field corner. Cross and go forward to stile in second double fenced hedge. Cross and go half left down hill to stile in hedge. Cross and continue forward passing marker post in field centre to far L field corner.
Turn L over a metal footbridge across stream and immediately cross stile to go down a step to cross culverted ditch and half R up steps to stile. Cross and turn L along field edge with hedge on L to reach two oak trees about three quarters of way up field and turn R across field to stile in timber rail fence. Cross into paddock and go ahead to stile and cross into small orchard. Go ahead to cross next stile onto tarmac drive. Go half R onto drive to house on R and cross unusual stile in wall by wooden gate and reach road with Well Cottage on your R (take a few moments to look down old well).
Go straight across road to cross tricky stile. Go half R over brow of hill to see isolated fence posts and then forward across field to next marker post and almost immediately to a third marker post in L field corner. Turn L down steps to stile. Go across stile and follow sunken tree covered path down to kissing gate. Take kissing gate and immediately cross metal footbridge with handrails into field. Go L with wire fence L to field corner (ignoring kissing gate) turning R in same field up to find and take metal gate then gap by kissing gate.
Go forward along fenced path between allotments to cross over Henley Station footbridge (Thursday-Sunday pop down to visit The Station Bar). Go half L down path to Station Road. Turn L and after 10 paces take alleyway R (Swan Croft) leading down to High Street*. Cross road by pedestrian traffic lights. Turn R and come to the Church of St John the Baptist.
* Here there is a convenience store, bakery cafe and the White Swan pub also tearooms 400 yards to your R.
Henley in Arden to Hockley Heath
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 151 & 139 - Explorer 220
From the Church go L go up adjacent road, Beaudesert Lane, to pass St Nicholas Church L, to find kissing gate giving access to footpath leading uphill to Motte & Bailey ruins.
Follow the highest path (do not descend) for about 1 mile eventually go under power lines to find corner. Ignore stiles and go L along ridge with hedge R and panoramic views L. Take stile (Heart of England Way) and go 1/2 L to field edge to reach stile. Do not take stile, instead go L staying in same field, now with hedge R, to take stile in top corner. Go slightly L and take another stile then go ahead with hedge L to come to ridge with fine view, go R carefully down hill to find sometimes very muddy gap. Go though gap (or take stile) and go L across small field centre to take stile adjacent to gate leading to path alongside gate entrance.
Go R on lane for 300 yards. At T junction take road R and after 20 paces take kissing gate R. Go ahead with fence R to take awkward wooden kissing gate.
Go ahead straight up steep hill to find and take kissing gate.
Go through copse and exit to field. Ahead down field to find kissing gate. Take gate ahead with fence and hedge R to follow round field edge to exit 50 paces before top right field corner by metal kissing gate R. Go L with hedge L to find and take gate in metal gate. Go R round field edge to come to tarmac driveway.
Go R on driveway and immediately L to follow grassy track. Take path L of power poles with transformer to pass under power cables and up field edge with fence and barns R, passing under high power cables. At top right field corner, by copse, go R to find hedge gap to farm driveway. Go L to road junction.
Turn right and walk for about 1 mile until you reach a staggered crossroads. Go ahead on Tapster Lane and, after sharp L hand bend, pass Holly Tree Cottage on L. Continue on road which drops down and bends L. Look for stile high up in hedge L just before large Oak Tree
(Ordnance Survey mapping amendment - Follow text instructions shown in italic) Take stile and go ahead with hedge R to field corner. Go L 15 paces to find stile. Take stile and go R with hedge R and 50 paces before field end find hidden hedge gap R. Go through gap, over bridge and kissing gate. Go down field with hedge / electric fence R to find far L field corner kissing gate. Take gate go 10 paces, and take stile and bridge to road.
Cross road and go ahead on rough vehicle way. After 100 paces take kissing gate L into field. Go with hedge R leading into scrub to find kissing gate. Take kissing gate and cross over narrow field, through gate in gate, ahead and take further gate in gate, heading for motorway bridge. Make way over M40 motorway via steep steps.
20 paces after motorway bridge take stile R and walk inside wooden fencing to find and take hedge gap R. Then go with hedge L to find substantial groundsman's buildings with courtyard by driveway, go R on driveway past house to exit property via a gate leading to narrow lane.
Turn right and go up lane to find St Mary's church. At church go L down footpath with tree line R to find kissing gate. Take kissing gate and go ahead over hill to come to gated bridge.
Cross bridge and go R with hedge R to go through corner gap. Continue ahead along narrow field to corner gate / stile. Go up centre of field to end of tree line and find stile by gate. Take stile and go ahead with hedge R to find corner kissing gate.
Pass through farm buildings to find farm driveway leading to bridge over canal. Cross bridge and turn L going with canal L.
Walk along canal for 1 mile until you reach The Wharf pub. Turn R up through carpark to main A3400
(Bakery just R over the road bridge and fish and chip shop and Co-op L).
Hockley Heath to Meriden
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 139 - Explorer 220 & 221
Go L on main Stratford Road. At Miller & Carter go R into Aylesbury Road. Continue for well over half a mile to road junction. Do not swing left but go straight ahead onto Vicarage Road and continue to junction of road going R onto Glasshouse Lane. As road bends R take driveway L to St Giles Church Packwood.
At car park take kissing gate into church ground and take path round to front door of church. With back to front door of church go slightly L through trees on pathway to find kissing gate into field. Go 1/2 L down field to hedge and then L through 2 gaps, under power lines. Go ahead over centre of field to exit field by kissing gate to road. Go R on road (ignore Grove Lane) and come to National Trust Packwood House, with its tearoom, garden centre, sundial and famous Yew trees.
Turn L to find easily visible steps up to Iron Gate leading to avenue of trees. Go onto long avenue through 2 gates and, at end, take kissing gate to road. Go R on road, passing open fields on your L. Just before house on L take kissing gate to waymarked footpath.
Go with hedge R to reach kissing gate to driveway go R 10 paces and take kissing gate L to public footpath leading round garden and house to come to kissing gate and further passageway to house driveway. Up driveway to road. Go L then over railway bridge (passing Station Lane R) and just after road sign take footpath L and short passage and kissing gate into field.
Go with hedge R in same direction, through scrub, over at least 4 stiles and 2 gates to a stile and kissing gate leading into field. Continue now with hedge L and go through kissing gate to R of gate. Go through paddock and exit by field corner gate to driveway. Go R on driveway, ignore branch road L, continue to main road and go R for 50 paces.
Before house with beautiful Yew Tree hedge go R through swing gate to driveway to canal bridge. Over bridge and go L on towpath with canal L. Go under one bridge and 40 paces before second bridge, at Black Boy Pub, take gap R up to pub car park.
Go down pub drive way to main A4141 road and go L. Just prior to left hand bend, cross road very carefully and take gate to right of Dial House entrance. Go down pathway leading onto farm track. Go ahead under power cables and after 300 paces turn left at Byway post to follow narrow often overgrown and muddy path up through coppice and then with hedges on both sides (there are little diversions to avoid any mud!). Eventually bear L along path to road.
Go R on road towards Chadwick End. Go L at junction and after 30 paces take kissing gate L. Go with hedge R to eventually come to farm track. Walk under two set of power lines and continue on farm track towards farm. Go R following farm drive round bends to lane. Turn R and after 100 paces take path L. Go with hedge L.
At end of large field go ahead through hedge, also on Heart of England Way. Continue with hedge on R under power cables. Over stile across field to kissing gate and continue across field to kissing gate/footbridge.
Straight ahead up field to marker post. Continue ahead with hedge L to road. Turn L for 85 paces to find green corrugated building on L, immediately take gap R with kissing gate. Go with hedge R to field end and take kissing gate to R of white house. Go L on lane to main road and the Saracens Head
Go L and then cross road at driveway of last house and go over stile. Go with hedge L to take stile and continue with hedge L. Cross stile to field with bridge over stream in middle and over stile.
Along hedge on R side of field and through gap in hedge at end of field (ignore stile on |R). Continue along hedge on L and go over stile into small coppice, cross footbridge and kissing gate into field.
Go half R to kissing gate at top corner. Go through and turn R on driveway passing through brick gate posts to join local road and follow to road junction, and turn R to reach dual carriageway .
Turn L and at traffic island cross road and go R into Park Lane. After 150 paces cross road to take HS2 diversion marked Public Right of Way. Follow this as it goes parallel to Park Lane, then follow signage, turning L and L again to follow path to take fenced R hand bend. Here you leave the diversion and join The Heart of England Way, which shares our route here for a short distance. Continue along L edge of field to wooden gate. Turn L and follow path slightly uphill. Follow designated pathway until you approach farmhouse (at half left). Here go R at gateway, leaving the HS2 diversion.
Continue in the same direction with fenced HS2 workings left. Enter the wood R and go immediately L around pond still in same direction keeping fenced workings L, until you reach a junction of footpaths with wooden kissing gate R, with farm building over to your L.
Take gate and go down to cross bridge over stream. Then ahead across a small field through fenced gap to stile. Go over stile to go along path with quarry workings and hedge / wire fence R. Then turn R at junction onto surfaced track with quarry again R.
Take track for about ½ mile, passing two sharp bends, across quarry access road and through gate adjacent to metal gate, to come to a gate-in-gate Millennium waymarked and signed footpath L. Take gate-in-gate L to follow fenced path. At road, turn R and after 50 paces turn L through kissing gate along path with quarry workings on L.
Continue over footbridge, the path turns R. Continue ahead and follow pathway L into rising fenced path. At top go through kissing gate on R.
Go diagonally L across field and downhill to metal gate. Cross corner of field to metal gate and wooden bridge.
Go diagonally 1/2 right across field, keeping to right of right hand solitary sweet chestnut tree, to reach large kissing gate. (Do not be tempted to go right following Millennium Way sign unless you want to miss out the figure of 8 thru Meriden). Go ahead along passage to reach driveway. Here turn L to join road opposite the Bulls Head pub.
Cross main road and turn L to pass the Cyclists Memorial to reach the old "standing cross" on The Green at Meriden, where there is a convenience store, a fish and chip shop and a little cafe.
This is the traditional centre of England and is also the centre of our long distance trail. You have done 50 miles - only 50 to go!
Meriden to Kenilworth
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 139 & 140 - Explorer 221
From the "standing cross" cross the road and turn R to roundabout. Turn L into Hampton Lane and after 200 paces (at Cobblers Corner) turn L to passageway and stile. Turn L to reach concrete track. Take kissing gate opposite and follow round top L edge of field to large kissing gate.
DO NOT go through gate, but go R in same field with hedge L to take wooden kissing gate adjacent to gate. Go with wall L. At end of wall go up hill to find mid fence metal gate. Take gate and go 1/2 L to find and take corner tricky stile to to road .
Cross road and take kissing gate and ahead 1/2 L across field to hidden corner kissing gate. Take gate and go R with hedge R to exit field by kissing gate. Go ahead with hedge R (if overgrown go the other side of the hedge until you reach the gap)
Halfway along go R through gap, then with hedge L to take grassy exit track to gate onto road. Go ahead uphill.
Pass St Laurence Church, with interesting plaque about the Heart of England Way, to house called Fentham on R at road corner. Take grassy vehicle track to left of house to find kissing gate.
Take kissing gate and go ½ R across field, or round R hand edge on permissive route, to exit by far R corner gate.
Go ahead on track with hedge L to find gap on L with kissing gate.
Take kissing gate and go ½ R to cross field to find way post at edge of wood. Turn your back to wood and go ahead across field to pass to L of lone oak to find wood edge. Go L with wood R to find kissing gate (This apparent doubling back is to ensure public rights of way are followed.) Take kissing gate to foot bridge to field.
Go R 25 paces and turn L up field centre to skyline hedge gap. Through gap and continue ahead with hedge L. Follow track round past barn right to road. Go L on road, pass Shirley Lane, under pylons and take kissing gate R opposite Oak Farm
Go to top left corner kissing gate. take kissing gate and continue down field to far L corner gap. Through gap and continue ahead to take kissing gate to road. Go R and after 250 paces pass two cottages on L.
Face last cottage and take path to R of cottage passing through garden with cottage L to reach fence gap exit to find hidden passage. Take passage to reach kissing gate leading into overgrown woodland to find kissing gate.
Take kissing gate and go L with hedge L to come to field corner kissing gate. Take kissing gate and go R to hedge gap continue ahead under pylons to second hedge gap
Through gap and continue ahead with hedge L to field corner gap/stile, through collecting paddock, to stile and road. Go L after 40 after paces take driveway R. Take gap L before Sunny View Cottage and follow high fenced path round to exit copse by gap, and ahead with hedge L to come to field corner.
At field corner go ahead over field towards pylon to reach hedge. Go with hedge R to field corner kissing gate. Take kissing gate and footbridge and go L with hedge L to field corner kissing gate.
Take gate and swamp boards and go L with hedge L to exit field by kissing gate. Go with wire fence R to find and take mid hedge gap with ditch bridge. Ahead to hedge gap with kissing gate and various way mark signs.
DO NOT go through gap but remain in field and go R with hedge L, take field corner kissing gate / bridge / kissing gate and ahead with hedge L / fence right to ditch bridge / kissing gate. Take gate and go 1/4 R towards power pole with adjacent kissing gate.
Take kissing gate to vehicle way, and ahead through kissing gate to kissing gate, to stile, to road. Go L 20 paces and turn R down Truggist Lane and then L on Hodgetts Lane. Continue on Hodgetts Lane over railway bridge. We now leave the original Millennium Way, so this diversion does not show on OS maps but our waymarking and GPS is updated. Stay on Hodgett's Lane for 300 yards to take footpath R by house called "The Pines".
Take this narrow enclosed footpath at the side of the drive and exit by stile on L to small field. Go R and through gated gap/stile and stay forward to take double stile. Stay with hedge R and exit by stile to narrow enclosed path, emerging to road.
Turn R down very busy road with no pavement to cross bridge (line of HS2) and continue on road to reach pedestrian lights/crossing. Go L over crossing to reach newly constructed Greenway track opposite.] Go R on track between fences. The track swings L & R a few times. Go past the footpath which crosses the track & continue towards pylons. As you reach overhead power cables turn sharp R off track to take metal kissing gate.
Stay along track parallel to overhead power lines and on reaching large metal gate go R along narrow path.
Take wooden gate across small footbridge and bear R to exit on farm lane. Turn L to reach road then go R for 40 paces to take footpath L over stile to field. Here you rejoin the original Millennium Way.
Go with hedge R to cross bridge ditch gap and keep ahead with hedge R around two sides of field to exit R through far left corner field gap.
Take gap and ahead with hedge L to exit field by gate/stile L. Go ahead with hedge R to take corner kissing gate. Go L over driveway to take hidden bridge / gate into field. Go 1/2 L to take gap by large tree, maintain line cross field to take bridge ditch, stile and go ahead with hedge and fence L.
Round two sides of field to reach field corner gap. Go L through kissing gate, and continue with hedge R to stile / gap leading into grassy passageway through copse. Exit copse by kissing gate to road.
Go L and after 10 paces go R and take gate into field. Go 1/4 L to mid fence ditch bridge and kissing gate. Take kissing gate and go L to take corner double kissing gates. Go 1/4 R to left of copse and find and take stile bridge stile.
Go L down field. At corner, go R with hedge L, ignore first hedge gap and continue to follow round this field edge to finally exit by gap L, with hidden waymarkers.
Go R over field to pass large oak tree to find and go R up farm driveway towards Rudfyn Manor. Before farm take waymarked path L through copse.
Exit copse and go R to follow round field edge and to field corner. Maintain line ahead (100 paces to R of pylon) over field to join far field edge. Go L with hedge R, next to pylon to find field corner. Exit field by field corner gap.
Go with hedge L, pass dew pond L and a way post, turn L and follow hedge L to another waymark on L before end of field. Go R across field to mid fence gap and continue straight up field to field corner
At field corner enter copse. Through copse and go with hedge R to enter further small copse. Exit copse by ditch bridge and go R to find kissing gate to road. Go R 10 paces and take kissing gate L. Go L towards castle on skyline.
Find kissing gate by power lines. Go L with hedge L take kissing gate into copse. Exit copse and go R across field to reach field kissing gate. Take gate and head towards right of castle to find gap by derelict building.
Take gap and go L to kissing gate into lane. Go L to reach main road and then continue in the same direction down past the famous Kenilworth Castle. On your left is the Queen and Castle pub and a couple of lovely tearooms.
Kenilworth to Leamington Spa
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 140 & 151 - Explorer 221
Continue round bends to find entrance to Castle carpark. Take carpark entrance and go on service road, past carpark. After 50 paces go L up track through short stretch of woodland. Take waymarked metal gate to R to take grassy passage, signed Rouncil Lane 1¼ miles.
At end of grassy passage find field. Go L with hedge L to find far field metal corner gap. Take gap turn R, keeping fence to playing field L (ignore stile L to playing fields) and continue to end of fence. Take metal gate and go 1/2 L across field to second metal gate. Take gate and cross concrete footbridge.
Continue ahead to reach metal field gate to right of farm buildings. Go through gate and go ahead, ignoring paths to right and left. Follow well-used path, keeping hedge L. Take gate and continue with hedge L. Continue to go with fence R and hedge L to come to gap to Rouncil Lane. Take gate and go R on road for 50 paces to find track L leading to Goodrest Farm.
Take concrete track and pass derelict WW2 POW camp to find metal kissing gate in hedge L. Take gate and go with fence L to take kissing gate to R of lone tree. Go 1/4 L to find field edge and old stone bridge, cross bridge and go 1/2 R up field to junction of paths. Do not take path onto golf course but stay in field and go R with hedge L.
At field corner find kissing gate. Take kissing gate and continue with hedge L to pass pond then wooden gate. Continue ahead, ignore mid hedge gate / path L, and with hedge L go under power lines to take metal gate into wood.
Follow this often muddy and uneven path right through wood to emerge alongside golf course. Go ahead on grass track with hedge R and wires above L. Go past "corner" pylon and through hedge gap and go around field edge to find kissing gate in far right comer.
Take gate and continue ahead past mound on L. Bear left through often overgrown shrubbery, or take diversion to R, into open field and go 1/4 L to pass under telegraph lines with Woodloes Farm over on right. At junction with track to farm turn L. Follow track to junction with lane. Go R and follow lane over A46 (Kenilworth Bypass) to come to main A429.
Go R on path, over large roundabout, past a M&S convenience store/petrol station and ahead up road to come to canal bridge. Before bridge take path R to join towpath and turn L to pass under Bridge 49 in the direction of Leamington. Pass a number of Narrow Boat repair yards on the way to Bridge 46 (Tesco Superstore). Continue ahead on the towpath passing The Moorings pub, then Morrisons/Costa Coffee across the road, to eventually reach Bridge 41. Leave towpath up slope and turn L into Tachbrook Road.
At traffic lights cross road into Lower Avenue, passing under bridge. At junction, turn R into Spencer Street and proceed towards Parish Church. At church turn L into Victoria Terrace. Lots of shops here. Cross Victoria Bridge and turn R across the road into Jephson Gardens.
Walk through the lovely Jephson Gardens, past a cafe and then cross Willes Road and follow footpath up through coppice to open grass. Walk across grass with trees R to find path and road down to Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre and the nice Comyn Arms pub off to left.
Leamington Spa to Long Itchington
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 151 - Explorer 221
Pass Paul Putz play area R to find car park L.
Enter car park and go along L edge to exit by 5 bar metal gate to well worn track.
Go R on track, past car park and second car park R.
Stay ahead on track. Here you have joined a long term waymarked and GPS updated diversion of the Millennium Way avoiding Cubbington and HS2. Not shown on OS maps. At end of track keep directly ahead following waymarker on white post to enter what was a fairway on the former golf course. Keep same line ahead with woodland L to pass a small pond L and reach a cinder path with wooden bench. Turn L along cinder path and after 120 paces take hedge gap R over small stone bridge and stay ahead over field to gap.
Go into the R field and stay ahead with hedge L. Take stile and go R for 200 yards with hedge R, then 1/2 L towards footbridge over River Leam.
Cross over footbridge then go R along woodland footpath, with river R, to cross over a second bridge and take stile adjacent to metal gate.
After 20 paces go R along track and keep L at corner ahead following track. Cross over surfaced track ahead on same line with ditch R and wood L.
At end of track turn R by wooden fencing onto surfaced driveway. As you reach the bend ahead turn L by waymarker towards Offchurch. Stay along to corner of woodland then follow round with woodland L to take wide gap and stile into field.
Follow waymarker ahead over field to exit by far corner stile to road. Turn R on road and pass The Stag pub on R and continue for 200 yards to take road L towards Hunningham. Stay along road for 3/4 mile, crossing a traffic light controlled HS2 vehicle track, until you reach a farm driveway L opposite a bungalow named Ashlawns.
Go down driveway which veers R to pass Fields Farm. Continue along track which swings R & L to reach a junction of four paths past metal barns. Take the second path to go diagonally R passing a small brick structure on your R next to two trees.
Here we follow a diversion owing to a damaged bridge near Bridge Farm.
Ignore instructions enclosed by brackets below and take the following route instead:
Stay along rough track then bear R through wide gated gap and once in field continue to the now closed footbridge, passing it on your left. Bear R diagonally across the field towards a fence and then continue with fence R. Take a kissing gate on R at field corner and then follow the edge of the field with trees and river L. At the field corner find and take another kissing gate and head downhill towards a wide gap with exposed culvert. Walk with hedge R to take the next kissing gate and then continue across the meadow to another gate. Do not take this gate but turn sharp R and head up the hill to pass to L of church and find kissing gate exit to road.
( Stay along rough track then bear R through wide gated gap and once in field bear L to take footbridge over river to enter short section of woodland.
Exit woodland and bear R uphill to take gap at junction of paths. Go R keeping hedge R under power lines to reach gap.
10 paces after passing under power lines take gap R, enter field and go with hedge L paralell to power lines.
Keep ahead with hedge L, eventually to cross a track and go over small stone bridge and through kissing gate to large field.
Follow waymarker to top R metal gate/wooden bridge/metal gate. The diversion ends here.
Cross bridge, with metal gate, leaving farm on R. Continue ahead up field bearing a little L to avoid large hollow in field. Take kissing gate in mid hedge and continue ahead to another kissing gate, cross field and exit by kissing gate in R hand corner, just to left of booster station.
Exit onto road and turn R. Cross road bridge over River Leam into Hunningham. The lovely Red Lion pub is on your L.
Opposite the pub, cross stile and water meadow, with river on right. Ignoring stile on left, proceed to kissing gate and go 1/2 L to pass to L of church and find kissing gate exit to road. )
Continue original route here........
Go R and follow road to junction (Sunrise Cottage). Turn L and after 20 paces cross road to enter large field.
Go with hedge L for 35 paces then proceed R uphill and cross stile at top of field. Continue through gap in hedge to cross second tricky stile/bridge and angle slightly left uphill to reach exit stile onto road (by telegraph pole). Turn R on very busy road to shortly reach cross roads and turn R. Here you are on the main Fosse Way for 400 paces, which is busy with lorries and cars. Hill Farmshop/Cafe is off on R. Face traffic and when safe cross road to go L on driveway opposite Hill Crest.
This driveway becomes The Ridgeway - a very long, rough, sometimes muddy vehicle track, passing across high bridge over disused railway and ahead to eventually come to tree lined lane leading to main road. Cross road and go ahead on driveway to find metal gate. Take gate and go ahead downhill to metal gate and road.
Go L on road and after 500 paces find hedge gap L adjacent to a telegraph pole. Take gap and go 1/2 R across field to find mid fence hedge stile. Take stile and go 1/4 R to exit field by corner hedge gap. Ahead on same line, under power lines, to field corner edge. Go L, with hedge R for 40 paces to find rusty old kissing gate R. Take kissing gate, cross over tarmaced path on disused railway (note the lovely new Millennium Way footpath sign), and find remnants of a further kissing gate. Take kissing gate and ahead 20 paces to find tubular bridge R. Take bridge and follow path through wood with river R to exit wood to field. Go R. After 140 paces find the track over ditch.
Cross the ditch and turn L. Follow edge of field, round corner, with hedge L and fencing R. At top of field, by White Hall Farm (lovely B&B), follow grassy corridor to exit by kissing gate and go ahead. At end of buildings, by pumping station take metal gate and go 1/2 L across field to take R of two kissing gates leading to passageway. Down passage way to road (Short Lane). Go R and take first road R (Stonebridge Lane).
Ahead on Stonebridge Lane round bend and across bridge over river. After bridge take kissing gate L. Go ahead across large field towards waymark post to find fence/ditch R and kissing gate hidden in corner. Take kissing gate / bridge / kissing gate and go ahead with fence L, through new metal gate in wooden fence to take kissing gate to road. Turn L over bridge and in 50 paces turn R to reach Holy Trinity Church in 100 paces.
Long Itchington to Priors Marston
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 151 - Explorer 222 & 206
Continue on to a part of the village called The Square, where you will find the lovely old Harvester Inn pub. Bear right down Thorn Way, leaving the pub to your left.
The road turns right and left, with wall R. At end of wall after 15 paces take kissing gate R. Go 1/2 L on track between trees to exit by kissing gate.
Take kissing gate and go ahead over a wooden footbridge. Go up field to take kissing gate. Cross track and take second kissing gate and go ahead over field to exit by far corner kissing gate giving access to canal path. The Cuttle Inn is a short detour over the canal bridge.
Take towpath L under the A423 Coventry to Banbury Road (Bridge 25) and immediately pass the Two Boats Inn. Go with canal R and climb two sets of locks and pass under Bridge 24. Leave canal just before Bridge 23 by swing gate to road.
Go R over bridge to find driveway to Blue Lias pub. Take driveway and go ahead to come onto vehicle way leading to Stockton Reservoir Car Park. Take gap ahead into reservoir area and go L with fishing lake R to corner gap. Take gap L into short grassy corridor leading to metal kissing gate into wood. Make way ahead through wood to exit by fence.
Go R with hedge R to exit field by corner gap. Go diagonally R for a few paces and enter copse. Follow clear pathway through wooded area and then keep wire fence L. Exit by gap into field. Go with hedge R to find gap with steps to road. Cross road and take stile to L of house. Go with hedge R to exit field by corner gap. Follow clear path down to pass house R leading to road. Go ahead downhill past side roads to come to T junction with Post Office (The Crown pub 100 paces L). Go R on School Street to find clearly signed, closed Barley Mow pub.
Go R pass Stockton Parish Church on L up Rectory Close - road becomes vehicle way. Follow vehicle way past cemetery - where vehicle way turns R go ahead through metal gate into field.
Cross field, maintaining line, to take stile and continue slightly R to take mid fence bridge. Go ahead across field to meet corner hedge, go with hedge L to exit field by corner gate. Go L 40 paces, then R with hedge L to exit field by broken corner stile.
Go 1/2 R to find gap to L of far corner with plank bridge and ditch. Cross bridge and go 1/4 L to pass by middle of 5 power poles across field to find hedge gap. Take gap and ditch to continue ahead to find mid fence bridge/stile. Take stile go ahead with hedge R to exit by corner stile. Continue ahead with hedge R to exit by grassy corridor and stile and go L on road.
Just before the canal bridge take steps L, down narrow path at side of house (the old Bridge Inn pub) onto Oxford canal towpath. Go R under bridge 111 with canal L. The canal skirts round Napton Hill L with its high set windmill. The Folly Inn is passed on the right at bridge 113. Go under bridge 115, lock number 12, then leave the canal towpath. Go R on road over bridge and after some 40 paces take gate L. Go 1/2 R down field, past an old pylon on your right, to come to find mid field bridge. Take bridge and go ahead 1/4 R to find and take stile adjacent to garage building of a large house called Eureka. (Alternatively ignore the stile and take large metal gate ahead missing out the next instruction). Go L down driveway thru large black metal gate to road.
Go R on road and where road swings R go ahead on minor road and again where road swings R go ahead to find gateway. Take gate and go ahead along side of field with wood L to arrive at gate on to road.
At field end, take metal gate into the next field and go with hedge R. Take gap in field corner and continue ahead with hedge R. Go through metal gate and go with hedge L to cross track to metal gate. Go 1/2 R up field to take large metal gate.
Go ahead uphill with hedge and fence R to field corner then ahead on tree lined track. Go on track for a long while staying in the same direction, passing an unusual memorial about half way (this track can be very muddy after wet weather). Look out eventually for a timber crossing over ditch R. *(At this point there is a temporary diversion of the Millennium Way due to a damaged bridge which is unsafe).
Do not cross the ditch and stile into a field but go straight on the bridle way to follow the temporary diversion to reach a footbridge and gate. Go through gate and follow bridle way sign and field edge with wood L to reach gate on to road. Turn R on road and follow the road into the village of Priors Marston passing Priors Hall and a red post box on the R where the diversion ends and you will rejoin the Millennium Way and follow the road straight on which leads to the war memorial on the green.
Go half L across the field to find a bridge into the next field and then go 1/4 L to cut across the corner of the field and cross bridge. In quick succession cross four more stiles to pass through some pony paddocks. We have now reached the edge of Priors Marston village.
The last of these stiles gives into a larger field, bordered on L by houses of recent construction. Follow along the boundary at the bottom of the gardens of houses and look out for a line of concrete garages backing on to the field. To R of these garages there is a stile, leading to a tarmac track.
Follow track to end to meet road into Priors Marston. There is a pillar box on the L, but you turn R. The road leads past Vicarage Lane and School Lane and then reaches a small green at which four roads meet. The war memorial stands on the green.
Priors Marston to Chipping Warden
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 151 - Explorer 206
Go down past war memorial in Priors Marston and follow the road R towards Priors Hardwick. After 100 paces turn R into Hardwick Road. As road turns R go ahead along track to stile.
Take stile and go R to find mid fence bridge. Take care as bridge is damaged, which has been reported to the County Council (2021). Take bridge and go 1/2 L to far left hand corner of field to exit paddock by metal gate (there are often temporary horse paddocks in this field, so if in doubt, follow the left hand perimeter of the field to the far left corner). Then take stile into field. Go L with hedge L, take stile and continue along hedge. By telegraph pole go R and follow power lines to exit by gate near corner of field.
Through gate onto drive - turn R. After 30 paces take gate L and go ahead to far L corner of field. Through gate and gate opposite go with hedge R and power lines to end of field and hidden double stile, take stiles and go 1/2 L across field passing telegraph pole, to stile at corner of field by barn.
Take stile and go L, pass in front of barn and take gate. Turn R across large field to find far mid hedge gate to road. Cross road and go through gate opposite. Continue uphill with hedge L. Go through small metal gate and continue uphill between new fencing and row of trees. Take next gate onto wide path between hedges. Path swings L.
Go through gate ahead and just after dew pond take gate on L. Head 1/4 R across field to R corner of wood. Continue ahead on grass track with wood L for some while to eventually turn L through coppice into field and then continue straight ahead with line of treees L to large gap at end of field by mixed coppice.
Go through gap and turn R and, with coppice R, follow edge of field bearing L on corner past dew pond R. At corner of field go over hidden bridge R and continue straight ahead down across field and through gap in hedge. Turn L with hedge L and at end of field go through another gap in hedge. Go half R to follow path to bridge. (If not possible, alternatively turn R with hedge R and follow edge of field for 60 paces. Before gap turn L with ditch R. After 40 paces, turn R over bridge).
Go ahead 1/2 L across field to find mid hedge gap with ditch bridge. Take bridge and continue across field slightly L to find gap. Go with fence R to gate and through rough ground to find gated bridge. Take bridge and turn R to take gate to road. Turn L to pass through gap/gateway and, as road goes uphill, take public footpath R and pass converted chapel on L. At end of path join Frog Lane into Upper Boddington (at crossroads L 100 paces to The Plough Inn). Go straight on over main road up Church Road. Continue on undulating lane for 1/2 mile to Lower Boddington.
After the road turns R and goes downhill take the footpath L opposite Sears Farmhouse. Path continues between fences to become lane. Follow lane to road (Carpenters Arms 300 paces R). Cross road and continue ahead on track. After about 100 paces and by gate marked "Private" turn R through wooden kissing gate into field. Go 1/2 L for 100 paces to fence corner of small paddock and bear left to take wooden kissing gate. Go with fence R to small field corner and then take large metal gate to cross low bridge . YOU NOW ENCOUNTER THE HS2 WORKS AND THE FOOTPATH HAS BEEN DIVERTED. Go right along a new path enclosed by fencing which takes you towards the road running from Lower Boddington to Claydon. Before reaching the road turn left through a pedestrian access gate to cross the HS2 road and go through a pedestrian walkway gate. Follow the path until it you reach the the Boddington to Claydon road. Cross the road to go through a metal gate and turn left along field edge until you reach 3 metal gates tied together near the field corner. Climb over the gates and turn right on to the road and go through the temporary barrier. Follow the road and it will turn sharp left and then sharp right. At this latter bend leave the road by going straight ahead along a track. At the next farm gate bear right along the wooden fence to follow the R hand side into a large field and continue to follow the R hand field edge. When you reach the line of trees at the end of the field turn L and walk with the line of trees R until you reach a waymarked narrow gap in the trees R. Go through the gap to cross a disused railway line (HS2 irony here!).
On entering the next field go 1/4 L to pick up hedge L to reach far L corner of field. Go through the large gap to road and turn R. Go up to road junction and turn L. As road turns R go straight on through gate across field to find gap.
Follow the track and go through gap and go straight with hedge R to pass by damaged corner gate and go straight into field to gap in hedge. Go through mid hedge gap and straight across field to hedge gap. Cross next field to hedge gap - do not take gap but stay in field and go L with hedge R. Go half way down field to where hedge goes R. Go 1/4 L to cross field and find mid hedge gap. Go over bridge and straight ahead to left corner of wood.
Go straight ahead uphill with wood R and, at end of field, turn R through gap. Turn L immediately with hedge L and go through gap into next field and turn immediately half R (ignoring direction of main track and possibly going through electric fence) and head towards farm buildings. Continue with hedge and then cattle outbuildings R. Over stile onto road, turn R and then L to cross road and take stile into field. Go with hedge L. At end of long field (possibly with temporary fences) cross two stiles and go over or pass 3rd high stile. Go 1/4 L to gate in L fence. Go through gate and 3/4 R passing large pond L and keeping small dew pond R to find and take mid fence stile by tall tree.
Straight across field, or follow sprayed path through crop, towards spinney and go L on to track for a few metres before going R on path through spinney. Over stile at end of spinney and continue with hedge R to stile. Go along alleyway, past buildings, to stile onto road. Go R along road and follow footpath to cross new by-pass and walk through gap in fence onto Appletree Road and follow round bend to junction with old A361 in Chipping Warden. Turn L and, as main road turns L, go straight ahead where the nice Griffin Pub is on your L.
Chipping Warden to Middleton Cheney
Ordnance Survey Map - Landranger 151 - Explorer 206
Here we take the new route of the Millennium Way to avoid HS2. This new route is not yet on OS maps.
With your back to the Griffin pub, turn R and follow tall stone wall around to L into Mill Lane passing attractive church of St. Peter and Paul.
Stay along lane to go through gate next to an information board and a Lodge (dated 1846). Continue straight along a surfaced track to reach a waymarker post, to the L of which is a silver plaque mounted on a concrete plinth, which marks the site where a Wellington Bomber crashed in 1945.
Continue along surfaced track to cross bridge over the River Cherwell and stay on rising tree-lined track, through a gateway and between beech hedges to take a green kissing gate ahead.
Go forward a few paces, then turn R to pass large mansion (Edgcote House) and attractive church on L and continue to Y-junction. Take gap diagonally opposite next to large metal gate and go 1/4 L across large field then cross horse gallops via two access points. Stay on same line to exit via another access point over gallops. Go 1/2 R to continue same line to arrive at Y-junction of surfaced tracks.
Go past large triangular shaped rock on R uphill in the direction of Lodge Farm. Go past farm buildings to junction and leave track to go 90 degrees L to follow downhill with trees R to reach a wide waymarked gap. Go 1/4 R across field to find waypost.
Go through gap and across ditch. Go uphill with trees/hedge L and reach the top of the rise, where you can stop for refreshments and admire the view. Then descend to arrive at a single waypost with multiple waymarks. Turn R here to rejoin the original Millennium Way.
Continue straight on track for some while keeping hedge L, ignoring tracks to L, to go through gate ahead into a smaller field, maintaining line straight to go to L of finger of trees to come to corner gate. Take gate over disused railway line and exit by gate.
Go ahead up hill towards two gateposts to brow and then ahead keeping the trees and hedge L to exit field by top L field gate (if inquisitive cattle are in the field keep closer to the hedge L). Go through gate and ahead on farm track walking away from the farmhouse to road.
Cross road and continue on a bridle way with bungalows to the left and farm building to the right. Cross another road to driveway. Go through gap and go 1/4 R across field going under power cable to cross track near far hedge. Go straight on through gap towards a tree in far hedge to find a stile to busy main road (caution fence is wobbly).
Cross road to go ahead to follow Thenford Hill farm driveway. At end of concrete driveway, before bungalow, take vehicle way R to pass bungalow on your L. Follow around and in 200 yards enter large field.
Go forward a few yards to find right hand footpath to go 1/2 R diagonally down field to mid hedge gap to the R of a tree, approx 100 paces in from far R field corner.
At the gap go ahead up short bank to road.
Cross road and go straight ahead across large field to find far L corner stile.
Take stile and go with hedge R and after 50 paces take stile R to cross bridge. Go 1/2 L, or around field edge, to find mid fence gap. Through gap and go 1/4 R ahead towards L of line of trees.
Go ahead with hedge and trees R to come to field corner.
At field corner, go ahead 1/2 L under power lines to go through far R corner gap, then go with hedge L for 90 paces to come to gap on left and stone bridge. Cross bridge and go ahead to find and take stile and then go R with hedge and stream R to stile.
Go over stile, keeping fence L and hedge and stream R to cross a double stile into next field keeping hedge R to finally exit by stile to drive. Cross road and take stile to go ahead with hedge R. Exit field by stile and continue ahead up field edge bending L to eventually come to damaged kissing gate on R just before three telegraph poles. Go R through gap and go on path with properties to R and L. Maintain line between properties, ignoring footpaths to L to come to main road. You are now in Middleton Cheney.
Cross road into Glovers Lane on the opposite side. Turn L into Rectory Lane and follow road along to All Saints Church on your L, to reach the finish at the main entrance gate to the church yard. Don't forget to take your photos! The Dolphin Inn and Henrys Cafe are nearby so take a well earned break.
Congratulations – You have made it to the end of the Millennium Way
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