Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway to Wilmcote Railway Station, Rail Trails

Start : Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway Railway Station (CV37 9QY) Grid ref. SP 185 565

(S) If arriving from Stratford, cross the footbridge; from any other station, stay on the same side. Walk ahead on the pavement, past the bus stops on the left and cycle racks on the right. Just before reaching the black bollard with red band, turn right on the footpath and follow it to reach the road.

(1) Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, and on the opposite side turn right on the left-hand pavement. Cross side roads The Avenue and St Peters Way.

(2) Cross the railway bridge. At the roundabout, cross the road to the Bishopton Way sign opposite, and turn left. Cross the driveway and ahead on the right-hand verge.

(3) At the traffic lights before the bridge, turn right onto the canal towpath (A) (cycle route 5 sign). Walk ahead on the towpath for 1 3⁄4 miles, under the A46 bridge, passing locks, then later gardens and houses on the opposite side.

(4) At a wooden barrier, bear right on the path which ascends to go through a wooden kissing gate to the road next to the bridge. Turn right, cross the driveway then onto the pavement.

(5) Turn right down the path to Wilmcote station. (E)

Start : Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway Railway Station (CV37 9QY) Grid ref. SP 185 565

Transport : Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway is on the mainline between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-Upon- Avon with trains running hourly to Henley-in-Arden and all stations to Earlswood and Shirley. Trains also run two hourly to Leamington via Hatton and Warwick.
Stratford Parkway station has a ticket machine but otherwise limited facilities. Refreshments and other facilities are available in Stratford-upon-Avon itself.

Refreshments : There are limited options for refreshment on this trail, so be sure to stock up in Stratford or make a beeline for the Mary Arden Inn or Wilmcote stores in Wilmcote itself.
The Parkway station is on the northern outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon, next to the Bishopton Park & Ride, and around a half hours walk from Shakespeare’s birthplace and centre of the medieval market town where you’ll find plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops.

Mary Arden Inn : A welcome sight at the end of your walk! You’ll find this inn right opposite Mary Arden’s Farm. It is a peaceful retreat offering rooms and dining, with a charming terrace and beer garden.

Shakespeare Distillery: Established in 2015, this artisan spirit producer distils top notch gin, rum and other spirits, all inspired by the works of the bard himself. Swing by the visitor centre for tours, tastings and more!

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

(A) The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, built between 1793 and 1816, runs for 25.5 miles and consists of two sections. It is part of the southern section that we follow here, noted for its split bridges (built with
a gap to allow the tow ropes of the boat horses to pass through) and its barrel-roofed lock cottages. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was routed through Wilmcote because of its quarries and Wilmcote stone was used for paving the Houses of Parliament!
After WW2 the southern section of the Stratford Canal had fallen into disrepair and was almost unnavigable. Despite this, attempts to close it where stymied by a canoeist who produced a toll ticket less than three years old, proving that boats still wanted to navigate the canal! It was restored and reopened in 1964.

Stratford-upon-Avon Canal : These days a tranquil meander of 25 miles between Birmingham and Stratford, The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was originally a hive of activity, shipping stone, coal and other goods by narrow boat.

St Andrew’s Church: A small nineteenth century church, nestled in the village of Wilmcote. Of particular historic interest having been the first church built by the Anglo- Catholic revival, Oxford movement in about 1840.

Mary Arden’s Farm : The childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother, this working Tudor farm keeps pace with the seasons, see rare breed animals, watch falconry displays, and explore nature trails.

Stratford Armouries: A museum of armour and armaments and the home of the Wellington Aviation Museum. Peruse collections of WWII bombers, artillery, a trebuchet, model soldiers, a WW1 Trench Scene and restaurant all spread over an 86-acre site.