Southam - Stockton - Southam

Ron and Jenny Glynn

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From the free car park in Wood Street, Southam, the route soon takes on a bridleway, following the River Stowe for a short distance. Then through fields and meadows, on parts of the Blue Lias Ring Paths, the name for the type of stone quarried in this area and the raw material that was used in the nearby cement works.

The walk joins the Grand Union Canal towpath at Tomlow Bridge, wide and flat, with pleasant scenes along the way to the Stockton Locks. Crossing a bridge to take leave of the canal, the view is of the white-tipped paddles and lock-gates on either side, with the likely sight of a boat or two working its way through. Some of the disused quarries are magnets for waterfowl and wildlife, much like natural ponds. The distinct blue-coloured stone is very apparent in the ploughed fields.

The footpaths are well-trodden and marked and Stockton Village is a mixture of old and new buildings.

The rest of the way back to Southam is mostly on agricultural land, with good, long-distance views; and Southam itself is a very interesting town, with a variety of shops and welcoming pubs, some of them very old and historical. A highly recommendable walk for variety and interest.

England - Central England - Warwickshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Play Area, Pub, River, Toilets, Wildlife

6/1/2020 - Dennis Johnson

Really nice walk and no issues with any of the footpath signs. All present and correct now. Followed directions to the letter but couldn't make the walk any different to 6.2 miles as opposed to the named 8 ?

5/29/2011 - Steve Moore

A very nice walk. We didn't have any problems navigating between waymarks 4 and 5, but the route is clearly visible though the crops at this time of year. (This was probably not so appparent when Rob walked it in November). When you reach waymark 4, follow the waymark arrow by the gate, walking in a roughly NE direction with a hedge on your left. The brook is easily missable at this time of year as it has dried up and overgrown, but you can easily see the waymark in the top right corner of the field. We found the field at waymark 14 ploughed, so couldn't walk diagonally left, but it is not far to walk around the edge of the field to the gap. Otherwise, this is a great walk!

11/28/2010 - Walkingworld Administrator

November 2011. Please note Rob Cox's comment. Although we hope the farmer has reinstated the footpaths it is possible that the public footpath used between waymarks 4 and 5 is no longer precisely matching our route guide instructions. Walkingworld would be grateful if anyone walking this route could send in further information. Please take the OS map along with you and a compass and/or GPS just in case. Admin, Walkingworld.

11/13/2010 - Rob Cox

Nov 2010. Lost trail between waypoints 4 & 5. fields had been ploughed giving no indication of direction to take. Being unable to cross field boundary (ditch) we were unable to get to waypoint 5. Had to find our own way back to Daventry Road and back to the start.