7 Best Walks In Warwickshire
Warwickshire, in the heart of England, is perhaps best known for its association with William Shakespeare, who was born in Stratford-upon-Avon (one of the county’s best towns to visit). But did you know that it’s also an excellent place to go walking?
Whether you’re admiring the wildlife at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve or pottering around the pretty villages, the Warwickshire countryside has lots of splendid spots to inspire you. Getting around on foot is by far the best way to explore the beauty of this region – and to help you make the most of it, we’ve pulled together a list of the seven best walks in Warwickshire below.
If you fancy trying a few of these trails and you don't live nearby, you’ll need to book a place to stay. With so much gorgeous scenery, Warwickshire is a wonderful place to spend a night or few in the outdoors. Whether you fancy a wild camping experience or a luxurious glamping pod with a hot tub, we've got plenty of excellent options in Pitchup’s range.
See all campsites in Warwickshire
Packwood House
Packwood House is a Grade I-listed property that’s now owned and managed by the National Trust. It was built in the 16th century and its interiors were lovingly restored in the 1920s by a gentleman named Graham Baron Ash, who transformed the property from a farmhouse into an enchanting vision of a Tudor home.
With easy access from the M40 and M42, this is a marvellous location for a family day out. There’s an on-site shop and café, plus a number of walking trails to explore here, including a short circular walk through the park and up to St Giles church, which should take under two hours to complete.
For a longer walk of around five miles, cross the moat and head over the fields to the Baddesley Clinton estate (more on this location below) via the Stratford-upon-Avon canal.
If you’ve got any four-legged friends with you, they’re welcome on the estate’s public footpaths, on the café terrace and in the barnyard as long as they’re kept on a lead. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the house and garden.
Baddesley Clinton
The secluded and intimate Baddesley Clinton estate in the Forest of Arden was home to the Ferrers family for over 500 years. Henry Ferrers, an English antiquarian and MP, built most of the house, which was also a place of refuge for persecuted Catholics during the 1590s.
The gardens at Baddesley Clinton are magical in all seasons. If you want to take it slow, you can just go for a gentle stroll through the walled garden and vegetable patch. Alternatively, try the circular walk to Packwood estate, returning via the Grand Union Canal.
Dogs are allowed on all of the public footpaths here, and the estate has an all-terrain mobility scooter and a tramper available to hire, so mobility-impaired guests can enjoy the trails.
Preston Bagot and the Crabmill Canal Circular
For a lovely circular trail in the Warwickshire countryside, try thisfour-mile loop trail near Henley-in-Arden. The trail starts and ends at the Crabmill, a lovely rural pub that's been sadly closed since it was gutted by fire in early 2024.
The route joins part of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal towpath, which has lots of wildlife, canal barges and people to see. You’ll end up at Preston Bagot church, on a hilltop with impressive views over the surrounding countryside. It’s a relatively easy walk but some of the fields you go through may be boggy so it’s a good idea to wear a pair of boots or wellies.
Centenary Way
For more of a long-distance challenge, try part (or all) of the Centenary Way – a 100-mile path that was built to celebrate one hundred years of Warwickshire County Council.
It starts at Kingsbury Water Park in the north of the county and weaves its way down to the pretty parish of Upper Quinton on the Gloucestershire border. Points of interest along the way include Kenilworth Castle and Warwick Castle as well as parts of the river Avon and river Leam.
The full route is one of the most challenging walks in Warwickshire, but it can be split into several shorter stages of varying lengths. If you don’t want to attempt anything too difficult, then try the fifth section from Stoneleigh to Leamington Spa. At 13 miles, it's fairly long but also pretty easygoing, taking you through a mix of farmland and town with several shops and pubs to visit en route.
Leamington Spa is one of our favourite market towns in this area – check out the others in our guide to Warwickshire’s best towns to visit.
Ryton Pools Country Park
Just to the south of Coventry, Ryton Pools Country Park spans an impressive 100 acres, with one of its four pools covering approximately 10 of those acres. There are lots of different habitats here that are home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, so bring your camera or a pair of binoculars.
There are several walking trails at the park, including a 2.6-mile circular route that provides access to Ryton Wood, one of the country’s largest surviving semi-natural ancient woodlands. This is another splendid area to explore during your visit, as it covers over 200 acres of land and has been recognised as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
To explore some more green spaces in the region, have a look at our list of the best parks in Warwickshire.
Avon river walk from Stratford to Welford
This scenic walk is just under six miles long and a terrific way to spend a few hours, particularly on a sunny day, as the surrounding scenery is just gorgeous.
You’ll start the route in the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. There’s plenty of things to see and do here including a tour of Anne Hathaway’s cottage and gardens – a 500-year-old building where the bard was said to have courted his bride-to-be.
When you’re ready to move on, simply follow the river all the way to the village of Welford-on-Avon – a designated conservation area with a number of traditional thatched roof cottages. The original ‘chocolate box cottage’ is on Boat Lane, thought to be the most photographed street in Warwickshire.
Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve
The 220-acre Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is on the banks of the river Avon and is known for the variety and quality of habitats – from pools and reedbeds to wildflower meadows and woodland. If you’re with the kids, it’s worth exploring the education and sensory gardens here too.
There are two wild walks to choose from, both of which are easy to follow and suitable for children. The first is the 40-minute walk along the Kingfisher Trail – follow this route and you’re likely to spot wetland birds and an assortment of habitats. There’s also a viewing point en route where you can see the nine-metre-tall osprey platform across the reedbed.
The second option is the Woodpecker Trail, a 20-minute stroll where you can admire a series of sculptures including two carved benches, a giant alder cone and a couple of other exhibits inspired by the well-loved wildlife in the reserve.
There are a total of nine hides here, where you can get up close and personal with a whole host of wildlife. Take the time to stop and listen to the birdsong – as Shakespeare said: ‘the earth has music for those who listen’.
Getting out for a walk is just one of the activities we recommend for days out in this area. For more inspiration, have a look at our guide to the best things to do in Warwickshire. All that rural scenery also means that camping and glamping are popular activities around here – whether you're visiting from far away or just looking for a little local escape, Pitchup has a fantastic range of Warwickshire campsites and glampsites to explore.