Going further and other options

Being rural and in the centre of England, Wellesbourne is surrounded by a wonderful network of country lanes going in all directions and it is quite possible to cover considerable distances without any significant use of main roads.  However, you don’t have to go far before finding yourself in the adjacent counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.

There are notable differences in terrain with the Cotswolds, Vale of Evesham, the rolling fields of the ‘Feldon’ to the south east and the ancient Forest of Arden to the north.

Places of note and their distance by country lane (one way) from Wellesbourne include:

·         Hatton Locks (Warwickshire), 11 miles
·         Moreton in Marsh (Gloucestershire), 19 miles
·         Broadway (Worcestershire), 23 miles
·         The Fleece, Bretforton (Worcestershire), 19 miles
·         Hook Norton (Oxfordshire), 19 miles
·         Canons Ashby (Northamptonshire), 23 miles
·         Rollright Stones (Oxfordshire border), 20 miles
·         Ilmington (Warwickshire), 11 miles

Barford, Warwick and Leamington Spa

Accessible from the marked cycle routes as described in a ‘Return Ride to Sherbourne’.

Stratford-upon-Avon and the Stratford Greenway

The town is just 1 mile beyond Tiddington (see a ‘Round Trip to Alveston’) where there are a number of traffic free cycle routes that are worth a try, in particular the well known Greenway.  This 5 mile length of old railway line from Stratford Greenway car park to Long Marston via Milcote passes Stratford racecourse and crosses The Avon.  There are also two cafes on the route created from converted railway carriages, cycle hire is also available.  At Long Marston you can continue your exploration by joining up with a network of quiet country lanes.

Stratford-upon-Avon and other cycle routes

You can also follow the old tramway from Bridge Town to Trinity Way and a longer route makes use of the Stratford Canal from the Birmingham Road as far as Wilmcote.

Places to Visit from Wellesbourne

Chedham’s Yard – www.chedhamsyard.org.uk

Charlecote Park - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park

Charlecote Mill - www.charlecotemill.co.uk

Redwings Horse Sanctuary - www.redwings.org.uk/visiting/oxhill-visitor-centre

Compton Verney Gallery – www.comptonverney.org.uk

Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon – www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk