Cross Bidford Bridge and go left through a kissing gate by a farm gate. Follow the Heart of England Way waymarkers through three kissing gates over a series of fields to the River Avon. Continue by the riverside until you reach a weir and lock gates, then go right up to the road in the hamlet of Barton – The Cottage of Content pub is on the right.
Leave the Heart of England Way and head left along the road for about 0.5 miles (800m). Go left through a gateway opposite Willow Cottage, down to the river’s edge, and follow the Avon Valley Footpath by the side of the Avon for the next 1.5 miles (2.4km). After passing two benches, bear right to a kissing gate and climb the steps up Cress Hill until you come to a road, through a kissing gate.
Turn right along the road, bearing left at the road junction by Bunkers Hill. In 125yds (114m), go right through a kissing gate and take the footpath on the left of the field hedge. This leads, via four gates and two drives, past a swimming pool, then continues over a series of fields and a gate until through a kissing gate you cross a footbridge over Noleham Brook, passing Dorsington Manor on your left to reach the Dorsington road. Go left along the road for 300yds (274m) to where it bears left.
Go right to rejoin the Heart of England Way, taking a track past Collett’s Farm to a gate. Through this, continue ahead and follow the waymarkers as the track crosses a stile to skirt a young copse and lake, then through a gate and over a footbridge, before continuing ahead to follow a hedge uphill. Go left at a waymark post and follow the path for about 250yds (229m).
Turn right at a waymark post and walk towards Barton Hill House. Pass to the left of the buildings and bear left, then shortly right. Follow the track past a large storage pond. Continue on the track as it arcs right and gently descends into Barton. At the road, go right and then ahead through a gate by The Cottage of Content pub, and take the wide track down to the Avon.
Walk along the riverside footpath, retracing your steps back to the car park in Bidford-on-Avon.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is believed to have been a regular visitor to Bidford-on-Avon. The old 13th-century Falcon Inn, which stood opposite the church, was one of his favourite taverns. He reputedly got drunk at the inn and slept it off under a crab apple tree on his way back to his home... in Stratford-upon-Avon. He recounts his drinking exploits in the local villages in a rhyme that finishes ‘…Papish Wicksford, Beggarly Broom and Drunken Bidford’. Sadly, the old inn fell into disrepair and was subsequently renovated and turned into flats some years ago. The crab apple tree has long disappeared. Bidford can trace its origins back to Saxon times when it was called Byda’s Ford, though Roman legions had earlier tramped the area. The ford would have been on their great Ryknild Street. As you stroll back along the river bank into Bidford-on-Avon, you’ll enjoy a superb view of St Laurence’s Church and the mainly 15th-century Bidford Bridge. Lean on its parapet and watch the placid waters of the Avon flow by the willow beds below – this is Shakespeare country at its very best. The fine 13th-century Church of St Laurence stands above the River Avon. Its first incumbent was Rogenus Capellanno in 1260, and inside you can see a beautiful church plate that was presented to the church in 1660 by Duchess Dudley. You can climb the tower that rises above a small avenue of lime trees. From the top, there are exceptional views of the town’s beautiful eight-arched bridge and the Avon, with the Cotswold Hills forming a scenic backdrop. This walk takes you along the River Avon, passing a lovely weir at Barton where The Cottage of Content pub is a famous watering hole for walkers. You may wish to continue into Welford-on-Avon to see the timbered black and white thatched cottages that line its streets. Your return is along the Heart of England Way.
The sparkle of sunlight on a gentle river as it meanders through beautiful countryside; the reflections of sailing boats on a lake; relaxing with a pint in the garden of an old English pub in a picturesque village; brightly coloured narrow boats making their way through a flight of lock gates; the imposing silhouette of an historic castle. These are the scenes that make Warwickshire a delight.
Cross Bidford Bridge and go left through a kissing gate by a farm gate. Follow the Heart of England Way waymarkers through three kissing gates over a series of fields to the River Avon. Continue by the riverside until you reach a weir and lock gates, then go right up to the road in the hamlet of Barton – The Cottage of Content pub is on the right.
1 of 6
Leave the Heart of England Way and head left along the road for about 0.5 miles (800m). Go left through a gateway opposite Willow Cottage, down to the river’s edge, and follow the Avon Valley Footpath by the side of the Avon for the next 1.5 miles (2.4km). After passing two benches, bear right to a kissing gate and climb the steps up Cress Hill until you come to a road, through a kissing gate.
2 of 6
Turn right along the road, bearing left at the road junction by Bunkers Hill. In 125yds (114m), go right through a kissing gate and take the footpath on the left of the field hedge. This leads, via four gates and two drives, past a swimming pool, then continues over a series of fields and a gate until through a kissing gate you cross a footbridge over Noleham Brook, passing Dorsington Manor on your left to reach the Dorsington road. Go left along the road for 300yds (274m) to where it bears left.
3 of 6
Go right to rejoin the Heart of England Way, taking a track past Collett’s Farm to a gate. Through this, continue ahead and follow the waymarkers as the track crosses a stile to skirt a young copse and lake, then through a gate and over a footbridge, before continuing ahead to follow a hedge uphill. Go left at a waymark post and follow the path for about 250yds (229m).
4 of 6
Turn right at a waymark post and walk towards Barton Hill House. Pass to the left of the buildings and bear left, then shortly right. Follow the track past a large storage pond. Continue on the track as it arcs right and gently descends into Barton. At the road, go right and then ahead through a gate by The Cottage of Content pub, and take the wide track down to the Avon.
5 of 6
Walk along the riverside footpath, retracing your steps back to the car park in Bidford-on-Avon.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is believed to have been a regular visitor to Bidford-on-Avon. The old 13th-century Falcon Inn, which stood opposite the church, was one of his favourite taverns. He reputedly got drunk at the inn and slept it off under a crab apple tree on his way back to his home... in Stratford-upon-Avon. He recounts his drinking exploits in the local villages in a rhyme that finishes ‘…Papish Wicksford, Beggarly Broom and Drunken Bidford’. Sadly, the old inn fell into disrepair and was subsequently renovated and turned into flats some years ago. The crab apple tree has long disappeared. Bidford can trace its origins back to Saxon times when it was called Byda’s Ford, though Roman legions had earlier tramped the area. The ford would have been on their great Ryknild Street. As you stroll back along the river bank into Bidford-on-Avon, you’ll enjoy a superb view of St Laurence’s Church and the mainly 15th-century Bidford Bridge. Lean on its parapet and watch the placid waters of the Avon flow by the willow beds below – this is Shakespeare country at its very best. The fine 13th-century Church of St Laurence stands above the River Avon. Its first incumbent was Rogenus Capellanno in 1260, and inside you can see a beautiful church plate that was presented to the church in 1660 by Duchess Dudley. You can climb the tower that rises above a small avenue of lime trees. From the top, there are exceptional views of the town’s beautiful eight-arched bridge and the Avon, with the Cotswold Hills forming a scenic backdrop. This walk takes you along the River Avon, passing a lovely weir at Barton where The Cottage of Content pub is a famous watering hole for walkers. You may wish to continue into Welford-on-Avon to see the timbered black and white thatched cottages that line its streets. Your return is along the Heart of England Way.
The sparkle of sunlight on a gentle river as it meanders through beautiful countryside; the reflections of sailing boats on a lake; relaxing with a pint in the garden of an old English pub in a picturesque village; brightly coloured narrow boats making their way through a flight of lock gates; the imposing silhouette of an historic castle. These are the scenes that make Warwickshire a delight.
