Cancer Research UK Walk 2007
This year the route generally went south from Bubbenhall via Wappenbury and Hunningham to the Stag Inn at Offchurch for a mid walk refreshment stop. From here the route continued southwards to the nearby disused railway line, which was followed to the Grand Union Canal. On reaching the canal it was followed westwards through Leamington Spa, over the Railway Line and River Avon. The canal was left at Bridge 49 (Coventry Road) - although it was noted that certain walkers used earlier exit points from the canal - and from here the Centenary Way was followed into Warwick.
The route details are below (in black) interspersed with comments, pictures etc.
The route of the walk is covered by the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map for Coventry and Warwickshire - No. 221.
Jeff,
front centre, leading the way along the A445 to
Paggetts Lane
1. Leave Bubbenhall via Paggetts’s Lane (Grid Ref
364 723), which is located to the east of the A445
just north of the main road into the village.
Along
Paggetts Lane
2. In about half a mile take the left hand fork in
the lane and continue past Shrubs Lodge (on the
left). Soon after (about quarter of a mile) the
entrance to Wappenbury Wood is reached.
Bright
sunshine near Wappenbury Wood.
3. Continue along the path (Nunwood Lane) ignoring
the wide entrance on the right into the woodland.
Go past a metal barrier with Shady Acres on the
right and take the path into the wood. (Do not
confuse with the lane to the left of the path)
As Wappenbury Wood is closed to the public on
Wednesdays and Saturdays. It was not therefore
possible to route the walk through the wood.
However, if anyone has the opportunity it is well
worth a visit.The above photograph was taken 19th
April 2007 when bluebells and other Spring flowers
were in bloom.
4. When the path forks take the left path and, 200
yards further on, go through a gate and head
slightly left across two fields aiming to the left
of a white building. Soon the road between Weston
under Wetherley and Princethorpe is reached.
'go
through a gate and head slightly left across two
fields
aiming to the left of a white building'
Crossing
the road between Weston under Wetherley and
Princethorpe
5. Cross the road and take the path to the left of
the farm buildings. The path goes downhill into a
field.
Walking
downhill having crossed the Weston under Wetherley
to Princethorpe Road
6. At the end of the field go through the gate and
immediately right, through another gate, along a
waymarked path (indistinct) with a hedge on the
right and pass through a gate. Soon after a gate on
the right is reached (waymarked). Go through this
and then left to the road at
Wappenbury.
Approaching
Wappenbury Church.
7. At the road turn left and shortly afterwards
take the right fork in the road towards church (St
John the Baptist). Take the right fork in front of
the church and in a few yards take right turning
(waymarked).
8. In about 100 yards a gate will be seen on left.
Go through gate and take downhill path towards the
bridge over the River Leam, which can be seen at
the bottom of the hill. Cross the bridge and follow
the obvious path soon going along field headlands,
with hedge on right, to the road at Hunningham.
The bridge over the River Leam.
Unfortunately on the day of walk the waters of the
Leam were very murky. It was therfore not possible
to see the trout that live in the water, many of
which are over a foot long.
Walking
between the bridge over the River Leam and
Hunningham.
9. Turn right and walk diagonally across the T
Junction to a right of way. Follow the right of way
through a field (there may be horses in it) and
enter another field – the Church at Hunningham will
be seen directly ahead of you. Here, ignoring
waymark, turn right to the river and follow it
downstream (left).
Entering the field with horses in it at Hunningham.
However, this young walker, like most, did not seem
too concerned about walking through them.
Leaving the "horse field" with the church at
Hunningham ahead.
Anyone concerned about walking past the horses
should follow the road towards Offchurch. After
reaching the second minor road on the right (about
a third of a mile from T junction) turn right down
this road. Immediately on the left a right of way
sign will be seen. Follow this which will bring you
to the stile mentioned in 10.
One of the horses that had to be circumnavigated on
this part of the walk. As it turned out the horses
were very docile and there was no problem going
through them. However, I am aware of two people,
although there may have been more, who chose the
alternative route.
10.
Follow the line of the path when it leaves the
river and soon a third field will be reached. The
entrance to this field is via a stile – N.B. the
area around stile can be very muddy. Cross the
stile and continue forward, keeping to the right of
the hedge.
May Blossom and
the River Leam
11. At the end of this field the river will once
again be seen, also a yellow way mark sign. Follow
the direction indicated by the sign and go up a
slight rise into another field – the fifth field
since leaving the T Junction at Hunningham.
It
was at about this point that the first real rain of
the day was experienced. However, it was only a
shower but did necessitate the wearing of
waterproof coats for a brief period.
12.
Enter the 5th field and after about a quarter of a
mile at a sign, where the path forks, take the left
fork, which goes away from the river. Walk across
field and continue following the obvious route
which goes to the right of some farm buildings –
ignore path coming in from the right and farm track
to the left.
Dark
clouds, rape seed oil and the flats at Lillington
as seen to the west of our route
13. Having passed the last building continue
forward - wire fence on the left – and at end of
field go through a metal gate and through a
woodland strip.
14. On leaving the woodland continue in the same
direction keeping to the left of a hedge and follow
obvious path along field headland to Manor Farm.
Follow right of way between farm buildings and
cross track/lane into field. Continue ahead to road
and the Stag Inn.
The
path through Manor Farm
And
just before the Stag is reached you are confronted
by cows.
Stag
Inn Lunch Stop (approximately half way)
The lunch stop at
the ‘Stag’ was an opportunity to rest, meet up with
other walkers and enjoy food and drink courtesy of
Jeff's wife Lin and friend Joan.
Thanks go to the Stag Inn at Offchurch for allowing
the walkers to partake of their
facilities.
15. On leaving the Stag, turn right and soon after,
having passed the road on the left to Hunningham,
take the ascending path on the right which goes
past Nine Hills Cottage. Enter field and turn
right. Follow path uphill towards trees and in less
than a quarter of a mile a road is reached via a
gap in the trees. Here turn left and soon after,
where it joins the road from Radford Semele, cross
the main road and take the obvious path downhill to
the disused railway line.
When I,
along with others, left the Stag the weather was
fine - or at least it wasn't raining - and wet
weather gear was stowed in rucksacks. However,
within 5 minutes spots of rain started to descended
so waterproof coats were soon put on and I was
hopeful that this protection would be enough.
Unfortunately the few spots became more frequent
and larger and by the time we were half way along
the railway track, now a cycle way, it became
torrential. So we moved as quickly as possible to
gain shelter under the old railway bridge over the
canal. Legs were dried as much as possible,
overtrousers were then put on and we continued on
our way
Looking
northwards along the disused railway line.
16. At the railway line turn right and follow the
track to canal which is reached via a steep
descending path.
17. At the canal turn right and follow the canal
into Leamington - N.B. Bridge 41 (Tachbrook Road)
is about 2.3 miles from the start of Canal
section.
Walking
along the canal - nice weather for ducks.
18. Continue along the canal past the Moorings
Public House before going under the Myton Road
Bridge, over the Railway Line and River Avon
(ignore the path down to the River Avon) past
Tesco’s (on other side of canal), under Emscote
Road Bridge and onwards until the Coventry Road
Bridge is reached (Bridge 49) where the canal is
left. – N.B. this point is 2 miles from Bridge 41.
Approaching
the Radford Road Bridge.
A couple of walkers about to be overtaken.
19. Turn right over the Canal Bridge and continue
towards Warwick. Just before the Railway Bridge is
reached turn right along a path and in
approximately quarter of a mile take the path left,
under the Railway Bridge and uphill with the WCC
Car Park on the right. Cross over Cape Road passing
the Police Station on the left and turn the corner
on right to the Staff Club.
Ducks,
who seem to have enjoyed the
weather
As this year's walk
was shorter than last year's and because of the
inclement weather no one lingered, which meant that
walkers arrived at the Staff Club earlier than
expected. Thanks therefore not only go to the Staff
Club for once again allowing Cancer Research UK use
of the facilities but for opening much earlier than
planned to accommodate the walkers. In addition a
big thank you must go to Lin and Joan, who provided
refreshments at the Stag and the Staff Club.
A big thank you also goes to all the people who did
the walk and their sponsers.
Thanks to them £3523.90 was raised, again beating
the previous record total.
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