Stratford Upon Avon (From Worcester News)

Stratford Upon Avon

11:21am Monday 17th January 2011 in Local walks By Julie Royle

NOW is a good time to visit Stratford-on- Avon, not only because it’s quieter at this time of year, but also because the Royal Shakespeare Theatre re-opened in November after four years of closure for rebuilding.

Most people seem to agree that the remodelled theatre is a big improvement on its former self; better-looking and with greatly enhanced public spaces, including a tower which offers good views across town and countryside.

Even better views can be had from the highest points of the former Welcombe Hills Country Park, which has been united with neighbouring Clopton Park to form Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park Local Nature Reserve, managed jointly by Stratfordupon- Avon District Council and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

The 148-acre nature reserve includes a range of wildlife habitats, principally woodland and grassland, with scrub, hedgerows and ponds. It’s also of historic interest and has some Shakespearean associations: information boards in the reserve provide details and maps.

There is open access throughout the entire site, and also to some adjacent grassland. Numerous lovely walks are possible and the walk described here is just one suggestion.

If you want something shorter, the Monarch’s Way provides a direct return to Stratford, but the four additional loops included here do make for a much better and more varied walk.

FACT FILE: Start: Bancroft Gardens, by the canal basin, Stratford-upon-Avon, grid ref SP203550.

Length: About five miles/8km (variable, according to choice).

Maps: OS Explorer 205, OS Landranger 151.

Terrain: Grassland and woodland, undulating in places but not steep.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: None.

Parking: There are several car parks in Stratford centre, including one at Riverside near Bancroft Gardens, and there are others at various points close to Welcombe Hills (eg Maidenhead Road). There is also one at a picnic place by the river Avon, linked to Welcombe Hills by a permissive path. The route is described from the town centre for the benefit of those using public transport.

Public transport: On Sundays and bank holidays Diamond 166 provides a fast, cheap, direct service from Worcester; on weekdays go by bus (550/551) or train to Evesham and change to Stagecoach 28 (frequent, daily); it is also possible to go all the way by train, changing at either Stourbridge or Birmingham, but it’s a very slow and expensive; worcestershire.gov.uk/ bustimetables or 01905 765765.

Refreshments: Stratford.

DIRECTIONS

1 Join the canal towpath, pass under bridge 69 and proceed to bridge 68. Go up to the A439, cross over and turn right. Fork left on Welcombe Road just before St Gregory’s Church and keep straight on at all junctions. Go forward on a footpath when the road bends left. Follow the path through fields, keep straight on when you come to open grassland and shortly enter Welcombe Hills and Clopton Park Local Nature Reserve.

2 Walk uphill, taking any route you like but basically keeping left of Welcombe Hotel and heading for the highest point. Go through a gate at the top to leave the nature reserve and intercept a bridleway. If you have a dog with you it must be on a lead now – notices warn that dogs found worrying sheep will be shot. Our onward route is to the left but first you’ll probably want to go to the right, where a hilltop viewpoint is marked by an obelisk and picnic site. Returning to the bridleway, follow it across the hill, going straight on at a junction with the Monarch’s Way and Shakespeare’s Avon Way, and straight on past Lower Welcombe Farm to reach the A46.

3 Turn left to join a lane, then take a bridleway on the left when you reach Roundhouse Farm. Follow it back to Welcombe Hills and turn right on to the Monarch’s Way. After just a few paces turn right again, going through a gate (no waymarking) into park-like pasture. This is Clopton Park and a big loop through this lovely tree-studded parkland is recommended. Also recommended is that you then return to the left edge and follow it down until you see a large fallen tree. Just beyond it is a gate where you can return to Welcombe Hills.

Turn right on the Monarch’s Way then look for another gate on the left giving access to woodland (Nursery Covert). Follow a path through the wood, forking right as you approach the far side to find a gate giving access to grassland near Welcombe Hotel. Turn right and follow the woodland edge closely, eventually going up a slope to rejoin the Monarch’s Way. Turn left past a reservoir and walk to Clopton Tower.

4 Turn right, following a bridleway along the edge of rough grassland to an informal car park (and access to Clopton Park).

Go straight on, ignoring an access road, then shortly go through a gate on the left and straight across a field towards houses. Turn left at the far side and follow a well-used path which leads to the access road to Clopton Tower. You can either turn left here, back to the tower, and then turn right on the Monarch’s Way, or you can go straight on across grassland to intercept the Monarch’s Way by the edge of the housing estate, then turn right. Either way, the Monarch’s Way is easily followed into Stratford. As you approach the town centre along Maidenhead Road you’ll cross the canal and you can then follow the towpath back to Bancroft Gardens if you wish.

Alternatively, continue walking straight on to meet Birmingham Road – this is directly opposite the rear of Shakespeare’s Birthplace.

At that point turn left to a pedestrian crossing and then follow a passageway to Henley Street and the entrance to the Birthplace.

Worcester News recommends the use of OS Explorer Maps, your ideal passport to navigating the countryside. This walk is based on OS Explorer 205.