Ilmington and the roof of Warwickshire - Miles without Stiles

From a country churchyard stride up a dry valley to a breezy hilltop with vast views north, south, east and west. It’s a long haul up and a steep road down. But exhilarating!

Distance

3.75 miles / 6.04 km

Duration

2 hours

Difficulty

May be steep slopes, moderate fitness

Mobility aid rating

Stile free

Shape

Circular

Start

Address

The Rectory, Valenders Ln, Ilmington, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4LB, UK
View start on Google Maps

OS Grid Ref

SP210435

What3Words

pads.bulletins.bleat

Refreshments

Village café and two pubs.

Travel Info

St Mary’s Church,Back Street, Ilmington, near Stratford on Avon

Navigation

From Back Street take the tree-lined path with the church on your left. Bear right by a lamp post and thatched cottage to reach Front Street and the Upper Green.

Take the path up to the War Memorial 1 and turn right onto the road (Grump Street) which climbs gently between houses, and then on a track between trees.

Just before a wide metal gate ahead 2 take the signed path diagonally down right into a field where you go through a metal gate and turn left along a grassy path up the valley with a row of willow trees on your left.

Climb steadily alongside the willows keeping the boundary hedge to your left, through three fields until you reach a wide track (Pig Lane) 3 with a glimpse of Foxcote House ahead.

Turn right on the track and climb to Nebsworth, the highest point of the walk, where there are huge views.

After passing two high masts cross the road, go through a metal gate opposite into a paddock and after 40 metres turn right through a gate. 4

The path ahead aims for the barn on the skyline opposite, passing through a double hedge and then up on the left of the buildings to reach a lane 5.

Here turn right steeply downhill for 1 km to Lower Lark Stoke. Nearing the bottom of the hill, turn right 6 by a large sycamore tree.

Go along the drive for 50m and just before the house gates bear left through a gate onto a field-edge path that crosses a stream on a footbridge. Keeping close to the fence/hedge on your left, climb ahead.

After a metal gate 7 carry on over the brow of the hill, ignoring a gate on your right, and go straight down, keeping left of a hedge and pond behind (Newfound Well) to a hidden gate. 8 Bear left for a few yards to another kissing gate, then follow the signs across the open fields through two more gates towards the school 9.

Walk alongside the left of the school to Back Street, and turn right for the church.