Claverdon to Hatton Railway Stations, Rail Trails

Start: Claverdon Railway Station (CV35 8PE) Grid ref. SP 208 643

(S) From Claverdon Railway Station platform, fork left up the path to the road (A4189) and turn left on the pavement (signposted Claverdon Village Centre). Over the rise, passing the 40mph signs. At the telegraph pole in front of the wooden fence after Hunters Lodge entrance, cross the road to the right-hand side of Star Lane.

(1) Immediately turn right onto the short stretch of tarmac and cross the stile to the left of a large wooden gate. Walk ahead on the path close to the left-hand side of the field.
The path bends left and right around trees, then along the left-hand side of the field, with trees and a ditch on
the left, to the corner. Go through the gap to the right of a stile and immediately turn right through a small metal gate.

Turn left along the left-hand side of the next field, with trees and a fence on the left. Pass a redundant stile. Do not go through the large metal gate on the left, but walk ahead and through the large metal gate at the end of the field.

(2) Walk ahead across the field to a large metal gate to the left of two large trees. Do not go through, but turn left along the right-hand side of the field. Walk through a large metal gate at the end (may be open) and turn half right cross the field aiming for a red brick house visible over the tops of trees.

At the fence, turn half left onto a stony track to a large metal gate. Do not go through, but turn right between fences and cross a stile onto an enclosed path through trees. Turn left then right with the path, with a farmyard on the other side of the fence on the left. At the end of the farm buildings, turn right with the path again. Cross stile to a drive.

(3) Cross the drive with gates on the right, walk through a wooden kissing gate. Go ahead, through a large metal gate in the right-hand corner, walk ahead with a fence on the right to the fence corner. Cross the farm track and go ahead on an overgrown path (electric fence warning on the post on the left). Take care – nettles and brambles.

Where the fence has fallen over, walk ahead still along the right-hand side. Go through a small wooden gate into the field, ahead along the right-hand side. In the corner, unclip the temporary fence to go through (clip it back behind you). Go ahead, still along the right-hand side, step over the low section of the fence in the right-hand corner.

(4) Walk ahead past trees on the right, turn left on the farm drive, through a gateway and ahead on the drive to a road. Cross the road, but do not go up the driveway opposite – turn right on the verge.

(5) Then in 10 yards turn left to cross a stile hidden in the hedge. Walk ahead on the path with a hedge on the left, an electric fence on the right. Pass stables on the right, cross a gravel track, then walk ahead on the path, still with the hedge on the left and electric fence on the right (traffic noise (M40) audible ahead).

At the end, turn left with a path and cross the stile. Walk ahead with trees on the left, boarding on the right. Duck under a tree leaning across the path. Go through an overgrown section to cross a stile.

Turn right to cross the bridge over the motorway. On the other side of bridge, cross the stile (care – fence is wobbly) and turn right on a track parallel to the motorway.

(6) Immediately before a clump of trees on left, turn left (waymark arrow on the fence post on the right) onto a partly graveled track. Follow this track as it winds across a field to join a line of large trees on the right.

As the track bends left towards the railway bridge, turn right off the track to cross a stile and cross the bridge. On the opposite side, walk ahead on an enclosed path parallel to the railway line. Turn left down steps and at the bottom and turn right on the path between fences.

Cross the metal footbridge and walk ahead, still on the path. Go through the gap by a redundant stile, the path emerges into an open and bends left away from railway line. Walk ahead on the path, which becomes enclosed again, to step over a low fence in front of a footbridge over the canal.

(7) Do not cross, but go round base of the bridge and turn right on the towpath with the canal on your left. Immediately before bridge 56, fork right up steps and through small wooden gate at the top to a road. Cross the road and walk ahead down the side road to Hatton station. (E)

Start: Claverdon Railway Station (CV35 8PE) Grid ref. SP 208 643

Transport : Claverdon is on the Stratford-upon-Avon to Leamington Spa line. Trains run two hourly to Stratford and Leamington via Warwick and Hatton. There is also a limited request service to Birmingham Snow Hill via Stratford.
Claverdon has a ticket office but further facilities are limited. Head into Claverdon village for toilets and refreshments.

Discover the Heart of England by rail at Heart Community Rail Trail here.

Before setting off pick up some essentials at the volunteer run Claverdon Community Shop, and spend a little time with the timber-framed, historic buildings of Claverdon. Along the trail you’ll also pass the ancient remains of Pinley Abbey, once a Cistercian nunnery. Now occupied by Pinley Abbey Farm.
After crossing the Grand Union Canal, you could take a diversion into the village of Shrewley to dine out at the Durham Ox. On reaching Hatton station we highly recommend that you continue along the canal to see the flight of 21 locks, a lovely peaceful spot to have a picnic and watch the colourful narrowboats make their ascent.

Stairway to heaven? The term is used here to describe the famous flight of 21 locks on the Grand Union Canal at Hatton. Why? Because of the hard work involved in the ascent, followed by an easy run to Camp Hill where the workmen were paid!

St Michaels Church: This much loved and well-used community church is an oasis of peace for villagers and visitors alike. Don’t miss the 15th century tower or the notable alabaster tomb of Thomas Spencer of Althorpe (died 1630) in the Chancel.

The Crown Inn: A classic village inn serving good quality homemade food accompanied by well kept beers, wines and spirits. The perfect starting point for any walk!

The Durham Ox: The refurbished Durham Ox, is a cracking stop-off with a large outside seating area to really enjoy those country views. The menu boasts a range of mouthwatering dishes using local produce and all prepared fresh on-site.

The Grand Union Canal: The Grand Union Canal links London with Birmingham, passing through rolling countryside, industrial towns and peaceful villages. It is also the Uk’s longest canal.

Hatton Locks: State of the art locks were built at Hatton to fight Hatton’s famous ‘stairway to heaven’ flight of 21 locks is a lovely spot to watch the colourful narrowboats as they traverse the Grand Union Canal. Top place for a picnic too!

The Hatton Estate: A whole day could be spent at Hatton Adventure World and Hatton Shopping Village. You’ll find Escape Rooms, laser combat, a swimming pool, Gin Experience, cafés and the Hatton Arms Pub!

Pinley Abbey was dissolved in 1536, but from this walk you can still spot parts of the ruins incorporated into the buildings of modern day Pinley Abbey Farmhouse.