Sunrising Hill to Edgehill and Upton house

Great walk from Sunrising Hill on A422 lay-by (limited parking. An alternative is to park at Upton House NT car park WM6) follow the escarpment to Edgehill, a footpath from Edgehill East, then South on road at end to NT Upton House. Pass through the car park around the barns and then across the field, eventually to the top of the escarpment and return back past Sunrising House.

(S/E) From the lay-by walk west towards the top of Sunrising Hill, looking for a footpath on your right. Follow for just over a mile to reach the WM1 (road/track).

(1) Cross over the road to continue on the footpath along the escarpment, descending slightly to reach the WM2 footpath junction, after about 700 yards.

(2) At the fork, take the right to climb back up the escarpment with the castle on your right. At the road, cross over slightly to your left for a footpath between buildings. After 300 yards reach a road and turn right, looking for WM3 about 100 yards on your left.

(3) Turn left and take the footpath from the road 400 yards to a footpath T junction. Turn right. Keeping the fence on your right, descend and climb back up for 1000 yards bearing left to reach a large barn.

(4) At the barn walk to its left, then down the side of the field to reach a road in about 600 yards. Turn right along the road to reach the main road A422. Turn right.
It's best to walk along the wide verge with your back to traffic.
Pass the driveway to Upton House and reach WM5 (entrance to car park).

(5) Turn left and follow footpath signs taking you in the same direction as a road to reach Home Farm. Turn right to go around the farm buildings, then left after the buildings. Take the left fork in the footpath with a slight climb to get over the fence facing you. Then cross two fields bearing slightly right to reach WM6 after 1000 yards, in the right corner of the field.

(6) Cross over the road and bear diagonally left across the field. After 700 yards, reach the right corner and the top of the escarpment. Turn sharp right to follow the top of the escarpment with splendid views for 3/4 mile to reach a building. Turn right then left to go down the driveway, reaching A422. Turn right to return to the lay-by.(S/E)

This walk looks over the ground of Battle of Edge Hill, Warwickshire. The Battle of Edge Hill, fought on October 23 1642, was a significant event in the First English Civil War. It took place near Edge Hill and Kineton in Warwickshire, between the Royalist army led by King Charles I and the Parliamentarian army commanded by the Earl of Essex. The battle was notable for its indecisiveness, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and neither gaining a decisive advantage. The battle lasted two and a half hours and was the first major action of the Civil War in England. It was a pivotal moment in the conflict, as it delayed King Charles I's march on London and allowed the Parliamentarians to maintain control of the capital. The battle remains a significant historical event, with the site now recorded on the English Heritage Register of Battlefields. You can visit free http://www.battleofedgehillexhibitionradway.org.uk/

If you have time, the NT Upton House is a good house and gardens, with a usual restaurant.

A good restaurant is at https://castleatedgehill.co.uk/