A moderate route in Warwickshire. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Salters Lane Car Park, Bearley Cross (SP 162 608)
Terrain: Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath, field paths, railway crossing (take care), quiet paths, very busy A3400 crossing (extreme care required), farm tracks, village lanes, second railway crossing (take care), Monarch's Way, woodland path, canal towpath, two aqueducts
A brilliant walk and a genuinely exciting discovery — the fact that the longest cast-iron aqueduct in England sits just ten miles from home and had gone unnoticed for so long makes the walk feel all the more rewarding. The outward leg heads south along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal before cutting across fields to Bearley, with two active railway crossings to keep you on your toes and a nerve-shredding crossing of the very busy A3400. The path through Bearley village and past the church is pleasant before the route heads north to Edstone and picks up the Monarch's Way for a fine stretch through the countryside past Edstone Hall and up to Cutlers Farm. Austy Wood is a lovely section — though we drifted right and missed the path in, so keep an eye out for the turning. The Monarch's Way carries you west to Green Lane Bridge before the return south along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal towpath, passing over the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct on the way. The walk ends with the undoubted highlight — crossing the magnificent Edstone Aqueduct itself, with its unique duck's-eye view of any passing narrowboats, before dropping down the steps to the car. A thoroughly enjoyable walk with masses of opportunities for photographs and some stunning Warwickshire views and history throughout.