Description

Starting from St. Nicholas’ Park in Warwick, diagonally opposite the pedestrian entrance to Warwick Castle, turn left onto the A425 towards Banbury and go straight over at the mini roundabout (second exit).

After approximately 1 mile, turn right signed Barford.  Travel over the M40 and into the village of Barford.

In Barford look out for the tiny pink cottage on the right – home of Joseph Arch who began the first union of farm workers in the 19th century. He went on to become an MP. His grave can be seen in the churchyard.

At the mini roundabout turn left onto the A429 signed Wellesbourne

Turn right and follow the signposts to Charlecote village.

Turn right signed Hampton Lucy and go over two little bridges, followed by two larger bridges.

Turn left into Hampton Lucy.  Park by the church or Boars Head Pub if you would like to explore the village.

The village of Hampton Lucy contains an impressive Victorian church, one of England’s oldest iron bridges (built 1776) and an 18th century watermill.

On leaving the church retrace the route to Charlecote following the signs back over the bridges (give way to oncoming vehicles).

At the T-junction turn right signed Wellesbourne/Stratford.  (Ignore signs saying Leisure Drive – this is not the same drive!). The car park for Charlecote Park is on the left.

The mellow brickwork and Tudor chimneys of Charlecote Park seem to sum up the essence of Tudor England. Charlecote park has been the home of the Lucy family since 1247 although the present house was built in the 1550s with gardens landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. There are strong associations with Elizabeth I and Shakespeare.  A herd of deer grazes in the park.

To continue the tour, turn down by the Charlecote Pheasant Hotel, signed Wellesbourne.

At the roundabout take the second exit onto the B4086 to Wellesbourne.  In Wellesbourne, stay in the left hand lane, (the B4086), through the village, towards Kineton.

Turn right just beyond the edge of the village if you wish to visit Wellesbourne Watermill.

The award-winning Wellesbourne Watermill is driven by one of the country’s largest wooden waterwheels.  See coracles on the millpond, experience how stone ground flour is milled, and haul a sack of flour to the top of the mill before stopping off in the tearooms for some home made scones and cakes.

On leaving Wellesbourne Watermill turn right, back onto the B4086

At the roundabout take the second exit signed Kineton, Banbury and Compton Verney.

If you wish to visit Compton Verney turn left.

The art museum at Compton Verney opens to the public in March 2004. The 18th century mansion house, set in ‘Capability’ Brown parkland, is a perfect setting for historic art and exhibitions.

On leaving Compton Verney, turn left back onto the B4086.

At the T-junction in Kineton, turn right onto B4086 signed Banbury. Pass the war memorial on your right and the old village water pump.

Kineton’s market square is a reminder of days when it had its own regular cattle market. The village gained notoriety when the first battle of the English Civil Warwick took place at nearby Edgehill.

Take care over the railway crossing.  There is a small layby on the left.  On the opposite side of the road notice the small war memorial commemorating the Battle of Edgehill. Between here and the village of Radway the Battle of Edgehill, the first of the Civil War, was fought on Sunday 23 October 1642.  Many of those who lost their lives in the battle are buried ¾ mile to the south of this stone. Continue on the B4086.  Take care going over the second railway line.  Note automatic signal control.  Ignore the first turning to Radway.

At the bottom of the hill, turn right following the signs into the village of Radway.

Pass the thatched cottages and Radway Church – the lych-gate at the church was erected in remembrance of villagers who died in the Great War of 1914 – 1918. After the church, follow the road round to the right, then left.  Look up to the left and you will see the tower of Edgehill.

At the T-junction with the A422 turn left signed Banbury.  Go up the hill (sharp bends and steep). At the top of the hill follow the road round to the left staying on the A422.

Turn left signed Edgehill and Ratley. However if you wish to visit Upton House, stay on the A422 for 0.2 miles and follow the signs.

Upton House is a late 17th century house, with magnificent art and porcelain collections.  It was given to the National Trust by Walter Samuel, son of the founder of Shell, in 1927.  The garden is spectacular in all seasons with wide lawns and colourful herbaceous terraces.  The National Collection of Asters (Michaelmas daisies) gives stunning colour in late summer.

Back on the tour, drive into Edgehill and pass The Castle Inn on your left.

The Battle of Edgehill in 1642 marked the start of the English Civil War.  It was here that Charles I fought the Parliamentarians in an inconclusive battle.  The Castle Inn still has a collection  of weapons dug up on the nearby battlefield.  The Inn is also a good point to stop for refreshments and the garden has fine views over the battlefield.

Continue down the steep hill, signed Kineton.

At the bottom of the hill turn right signed Northend and Gaydon.

After approximately 1 mile turn right onto the B4086, signed Banbury and continue up the hill for approximately 1 ½ miles.  At the T-junction turn left onto the B4100 signed Gaydon. However if you wish to visit the National Herb Centre turn right at the T-junction and then left following the signs.

In addition to its plant centre with over 500 varieties of herb, The National Herb Centre also boasts  display gardens, a nature trail, a Bistro and Deli, and a gift shop stocking a variety of herb-related products.

After approximately 1 mile turn right at the crossroads signed Avon Dassett and Farnborough.  Go over the M40.  Enter Avon Dassett.

Take the right turn towards Farnborough.

Pass the entrance to Farnborough Hall on the right.  Enter the village of Farnborough and follow the road round to the right.

Turn left signed Farnborough and Southam.  Give Way and bear left.

You will pass the Inn at Farnborough, which offers good food, fine wines and real ales – an excellent choice for a lunchtime break.

Continue through Farnborough and at the T junction turn left onto the A423 – this is a fast road.  Go over the canal.

Turn left, just past the Wharf Inn, into Wharf Road signed Fenny Compton and Avon Dassett.  Go under the bridge and into Fenny Compton.

At the T-junction at the war memorial turn right signed Burton Dassett Country Park.

At next T-junction turn left signed Burton Dassett Country Park and Northend.

Turn right and go over the cattle grid into Burton Dassett Country Park.

Burton Dassett Hills Country Park is a 100 acre park on a spur of rugged hills, offering stunning views in every direction. The Beacon Tower is an ancient monument and focal point.

Continue straight through the park  towards Warwick.  Go over the M40 again.

At the T-junction turn right onto the B4100 signed Gaydon.

The Malt Shovel Inn at Gaydon offers a wide range of delicious home cooked meals and lunchtime snacks.

After you pass through Gaydon go straight on at the roundabout following signs for the B4100.  The Heritage Motor Centre is on your left as you travel along the B4100.

The Heritage Motor Centre is home to the largest collection of historic British  cars in the world, all under one roof. There is also a café and a gift shop.

At the next two roundabouts take the second exits staying on the B4100.

In approximately 2 miles you come to another roundabout, take the fourth exit onto the B4455 signed Chesterton.  Go over the M40 and turn right signed Chesterton Windmill.

Chesterton Windmill was built in 1634 and designed by Inigo Jones, a British architect and designer, who was also responsible for designing and building the Queen’s House in London, which has become the National Maritime Museum.

At the next T-junction turn left signed Ashorne.

At crossroads turn left signed Stow (Fosse Way).  Drive on for about 1 ½ miles.

At the roundabout take the fourth exit signed Warwick B4100. Go over the M40 again.

At roundabout take the second exit onto the A425 signed Warwick. This road leads you back to St Nicholas Park.