Long Itchington to Ufton and return

A stroll through rural Warwickshire with no destination in mind. This route includes paths, country lanes and a section of the Grand Union Canal.

Technical sheet

293243
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.97 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 65 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 70 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 118 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 65 m

Description

The thing about walking to me is that I don't plan it. I just stroll out of the door with no particular destination in mind. Here in Long Itchington, South Warwickshire, we are spoilt for choice. Competing to entice the aspiring walker are a network of public footpaths, the Grand Union Canal and the long disused LNWR (London and North Western Railway) cutting that ran from Weedon to Leamington Spa. The other day, I used a combination of the above, to surprising effect. (One of the benefits, for me, of not planning, is where one can end up!)

(S/E)I continued on, down the lane for about another half a mile, then struck off left, onto the deeply rutted, but dry, bridle path. This path climbs quite steeply for about two hundred yards, then levels out, by a hay-barn, and descends to within a dozen yards of the Grand Union canal at Bascote Lock.

(1) Once on the canal towpath, I turned right, towards Leamington Spa. Nowadays, there is no incumbent occupying the Bascote lock-keeper's cottage and it has become a very attractive family home. There are four locks, close together on this stretch (numbers 14 - 17 of 160 in total on the Grand Union).

(2) After a further mile or so, I passed another fine lock keepers cottage at Welsh Road Lock (number 18 - only 142 to go!).

(3) Then I came to a bridge (number 31), with a set of newly installed, wooden steps at the side. They looked inviting, so I climbed them. Over the bridge ran a track which a Warwickshire County Council sign ambitiously described as a 'county unclassified road'. It even had a name - 'Centenary Way'.

(4) As I continued along Centenary Way, a church appeared, on top of the hill ahead of me - a clear sign of habitation. I continued on, curious to find out where I was. My path climbed the hill towards the church, and I could hear the hum of traffic getting closer. A building came into view on my right. There was a car park outside and some activity. I approached and a sign read 'The Wedding Barn'. I had definitely reached civilisation!

(5) I was about to find out where I was. I could now see the traffic passing by just ahead and reached the road, just below a sign proclaiming my mystery destination - 'Ufton'. To my left, on the brow of the hill, lay the church and The White Hart pub. I knew where I was and, if I'd had any cash on me, I would have celebrated with a pint!

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 75 m - Start / Finish - Long Itchington
  2. 1 : km 2.88 - alt. 80 m - Bascote Lock - turn right
  3. 2 : km 4.08 - alt. 68 m - Welsh Road Lock
  4. 3 : km 4.56 - alt. 65 m - Left over bridge
  5. 4 : km 5.44 - alt. 71 m - Centenary Way
  6. 5 : km 6.47 - alt. 118 m - Ufton - return home along same route
  7. S/E : km 12.97 - alt. 75 m - Start / Finish - Long Itchington

Practical information

Subsequent investigation on the internet reveals that Centenary Way consists of a series of connected paths and roads that run all the way from the Tame Valley on the Staffordshire border, through George Eliot country, around Nuneaton, to Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa. It finishes up, having passed through the Burton Dassett Hills, on Ilmington Downs, south of Stratford upon Avon. A total distance of about 98 miles.The section I walked was in poor condition - deeply rutted and probably virtually impassable in the wet.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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