Bishopton - Wilmcote

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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From the canal-bridge on the unclassified road through Bishopton, just north of Stratford-upon-Avon, the first part of the walk follows the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal along to Wilmcote. The canal rises from Stratford Basin and has eleven locks on this section alone, set in very pleasant countryside. The little cast-iron and brick bridges are a charming feature of this canal, built in two halves and separated with a 1inch gap to allow the towing line between horse and boat to be dropped through, without need to unhitch the horse.

Wilmcote is a small, attractive village where stands the 15th Century half-timbered farmhouse home of Mary Arden, Shakespeare's mother. It is open daily except Sundays in wintertime. There is also a museum of agricultural implements and local rural bygones. The route back to Bishopton is on the other side of the canal, on the edge of fields with lovely rural views.

NOTE: July 21 footpath at waymark 9 temporarily closed due to a new housing development. Take main road here left towards canal and return to walk start along outward path. With thanks to Nina Barrier. Alternatively turn left at wm 7 and Bridge 61 will take you across to the towpath at waymark 2. It may be possible to cross further along at the flight of locks but Walkingworld can't confirm this.

England - Central England - Warwickshire - Canal Walk

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Museum, Pub, Wildlife

7/26/2021 - Nina Barrier

This was a lovely walk but at waypoint 9 when you cross the main road the public footpath is closed as they are building houses and the diversion instructions are missing. The sign said closed for 6 months from November 2020 but today is 26 July 2021 so not sure how much longer it will be closed. We went down the main road towards Stratford until we came to the canal bridge and went down a steep bit by the canal which took us back onto the path we first took.