The Pleasance and Meer End from Kenilworth

A pleasant walk through the Warwickshire countryside. The start is Kenilworth where you have the opportunity to visit the castle. The route includes a section of Millennium Way long distance footpath.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.82 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 51 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 54 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 136 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 80 m

Photos

Description

(S/E) This walk explores the Warwickshire countryside to the west of Kenilworth crossing relatively flat farmlands. The start is the carpark (fee payable) on the south side of Kenilworth Castle (grid ref. SP279720). After parking take the path opposite the car park and follow the route for 800 metres until you reach the track leading north to the Pleasance (grid ref. SP272719).

(1) Turn right along this track to reach the southern boundary of Pleasance (grid ref. SP268724). Turn left onto a waymarked path heading west and continue for 1.6 kilometres to reach a path junction (grid ref. SP252725). Turn right here and skirt the western edge of Chase Wood to reach a bridleway just east of Warrior's Lodge Farm. Turn left onto the bridleway and follow the route as it bears right, passes through Black Hill Wood to continue alongside the northern edge of Prior's Wood.

(2) Reaching the western end of Prior's Wood (grid ref. SP241735), turn right onto a signed footpath heading north to reach the road in Meer End (grid ref. SP244742). Turn right along Meer End Road for 150 metres to a road junction (grid ref. SP245743). Take the waymarked footpath on the right initially along a driveway. The continuing path leads across fields to reach Rudfyn Manor (grid ref. SP257738) and a junction with the Millennium Way.

(3) Follow the waymarked Millennium Way south-eat to cross Chase Lane (grid ref. SP267730). Cross Chase Lane and stay on the Millennium Way to the A452 main road just past Kenilworth Castle (grid ref. SP278724). Pass beside the castle (on your right) and turn right down the signed Millennium Way as it skirts the eastern boundary of the Castle. The path soon leads onto a track which will take back to the start(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 85 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 80 m - Turn right
  3. 2 : km 5.07 - alt. 129 m - Turn right
  4. 3 : km 7.51 - alt. 118 m - Follow the Millennium Way
  5. S/E : km 10.82 - alt. 85 m

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : 12/07/20
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Fabulous walk. Fortunately well trodden as not a lot of information about directions.

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : 05/07/20
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk with some interesting points of interest. However as previous walkers have said, there are times where it is easy to miss turning points where signs are missing which is such a shame, especially as some of these occur on the Millenium Way (notably the drive to Refern Manor - sign is on an old gate post which can be hidden by overgrowth. The Keep Out Sign in the Farm Drive 'discouraged'' us from walking the correct side of the boundary hedge and we lost half an hour trying to get back on track. Oviously a sign of the times as other people mention problems with signage. Having a GPS helped

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : 06/06/20
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The walk was lovely, veried and interesting with lovely woodland. We could have done with a compass as the description was short in details but along with the map we found our way.
Thorougly enjoyed but more description would have helped, especially at the beginning.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 03/08/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This route gave some excellent views of Kenilworth Castle. Passing the site of "The Pleasance" was interesting. The walk goes through some beautiful natural woodland some of the farm crops are interesting. The walk through Meer End was of surprising interest.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 16/04/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Really lovely walk to take , mostly flat and apart from one missing sign near the start ,all signposted / marked very well.

Just be careful at this point
"Turn right along this track to reach the southern boundary of Pleasance (grid ref. SP268724). Turn left onto a waymarked path heading west and continue for 1.6 kilometres to reach a path junction "

There is no way marker marker to turn left , just one very well marked sign and wall to turn right to return to Kenilworth castle. Just turn left at this point and walk along the grass to a sign a short distance away to continue the walk.

You can park for free slightly away from the castle car park as there's a car park further up on the main road opposite the Queen and Castle Pub , alternatively free parking in residential areas along Castle Hill.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 10/04/19
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk that starts from the castle car park which costs £2 for the day. The walk is easy with little incline. Kissing gates naked unsuitable for wheelchair users and prams though.

There were a couple of footpath markers missing so I got a little bit lost and walked a little bit longer on the main road at meer end but eventually managed to find the way.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 19/10/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk. We started the walk from the castle car park which costs £2 for the day and had a lovely picnic overlooking the castle. The walk itself is lovely. It is very easy with little incline and mainly kissing gates.

Half way along the walk we stopped at the Tipperary for a drink before finishing the walk. There were a couple of footpath markers missing but we managed to find our way.

Once we had walked about half a mile from the castle we didn’t see anyone else on the footpaths until we got to the pub and then not again until we were almost back at the castle.

A very picturesque walk, would highly recommend.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the walk! Please feel free to share any photos if you have any

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 28/09/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy to follow route with good marking of the footpaths. Varied walking on bridle ways and footpaths through woods and fields. Good Hostelry half way around in Meer End. Lovely views of Kenilworth Castle.

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