Alcester and Arrow Mill Circular Walk
The Warwickshire settlement of Alcester has several popular waymarked walking trails running through or close by the town. This fine circular walk uses sections of the Arden Way, the Monarch's Way and the Heart of England Way to explore the countryside and woodland surrounding the old Roman town. You'll visit highlights such as Coughton Court, Oversley Wood, the River Arrow, the old Arrow Mill and the Spernal section of the Heart of England Forest.
Starting in the town centre by the river, you first head south east along the Arden Way to Oversley Wood. There's some nice trails here with with lots of bluebells and wildflowers to enjoy in the spring and summer months.
The route then heads north east through farmland towards Upton, Walcote and Aston Cantlow where there are good views of the River Alne. You continue north from the village, passing Spernal Park before coming to Bannam's Wood. The route turns south here across Morton Common to the village of Spernall, located on the River Arrow. From here there's a nice stretch along the river to Coughton. Here you can visit the Tudor Coughton Court with its walled garden, lake, knot garden, vegetable garden, orchard and bog garden.
From here you head east to New End before picking up the Monarch's Way to return you to Alcester.
To continue your walking in the area head south east and visit Stratford Upon Avon. There's some fine waterside walks along the canal and the River Avon here.
Alcester Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Alcester Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Alcester OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Alcester Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Alcester
- Arden Way - This circular walk takes you on a tour of the beautiful Forest of Arden in Warwickshire
- Monarch's Way - This incredible 615-mile walk approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester
- Heart of England Way - Follow the Heart of England Way through the Midlands of England
- Coughton Court - Explore the beautiful gardens of the Tudor Coughton Court, before a lovely waterside stroll along the River Arden on this walking route in Warwickshire
- Oversley Wood - Follow the woodland trails through the delightful forest on this circular walk in Alcester
- Stratford Upon Avon - The Warwickshire town of Stratford Upon Avon is famously associated with William Shakespeare
- Inkberrow - This pretty Worcestershire village includes a picturesque village green, a historic church and a fine local pub
- Edstone Aqueduct - This circular walk visits the Edstone Aqueduct on the Stratford Upon Avon Canal in Warwickshire
- Ragley Hall - This walk explore the Ragley Hall estate in Arrow, Warwickshire
- Studley Castle - This walk visits the 19th century Studley Castle in Warwickshire
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the excellent The Moat House Inn for some refreshments after your walk. The pub has a lovely large garden area where you can even hire a teepee. It's a lovely place to relax on a warm summer day. The menu is also very good and there's nice cosy fires indoors for colder days. You can find the pub on Birmingham Rd with a postcode of B49 5QF for sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head just a mile south west of the woods and you could visit Ragley Hall. The fine stately home dates from the 17th century and is surrounded by attractive parklands and gardens. The hall is not open a daily basis but often has open days which provide an opportunity to explore the estate. For example the Snowdrop walk in the winter months allows you to explore the 26 acres of formal gardens and see the multitude of snowdrop varieties.
Just a few miles to the south there's the lovely riverside village of Bidford on Avon to visit. The Saxon settlement includes a Grade I listed bridge dating from the early 15th century and Big Meadow, a 26 acre recreational park next to the river.
To the west is the village of Inkberrow. It's a worthy place to visit with a picturesque village green, a historic church and a fine local pub. The settlement is also notable as the model for Ambridge, the setting of BBC Radio 4's long-running series The Archers.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Warwickshire Walks page.
Photos
River Arrow and Arrow Mill. Looking NNE from the western edge of the square. Arrow Mill in the distance is in the next square to the north. It is one of the many former mills on the Arrow and has been converted into an hotel. The millwheel is however being restored and will one day turn again.
Oversley Wood. Looking SSE toward the wood on top of the hill from the Alcester Bypass.
Aston Cantlow. Holmlea farm on the edge of Aston Cantlow, with orderly fields of wheat and the Rough Hills beyond.
Bridge at Spernall. The bridge over the River Arrow. Other than the warning sign there is little to be seen of the bridge when approaching on the road other than the white railings.
Coughton Court east view
Coughton Court lake
Alcester Malt Mill Lane
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St Nicholas Church, Alcester