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Tysoe to scenic Compton Wynyates

Recommended by

Our view

"Enjoy spectacular views of one of Warwickshire's finest houses on this scenic walk over high ground"

Walk directions

Make for the southern end of Upper Tysoe and at the crossroads with Middleton Close and Old Tree Lane (signposted ‘Shenington and Banbury’), turn left into Middleton Close. Follow the road, and immediately after the last house on your right, turn right at a gate and footpath sign. Keep alongside first allotments and a community orchard and then the field boundary to a kissing gate in the corner and continue across the field to the next stile. Keep ahead in the next field, passing under power lines, and make for a plank bridge and stile in the boundary hedge ahead. Go straight on up the field slope and, on reaching the brow of the hill, go through a second field and drop down to the right to join the road.

Turn left and follow the road as it curves right and up the hill. Pass Broomhill Farm and continue ahead to the first crossroads. Turn right here, signposted ‘Compton Wynyates’, and pass a turning on the left to Winderton. Follow the lane along to the main entrance to Compton Wynyates on the right.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths, tracks and roads, several stiles

Landscape - Undulating countryside on edge of Cotswolds

Dog friendliness - On lead or under control across farmland and careful along roads

Parking - Roadside spaces in Tysoe

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Warwickshire Dog-friendly walks in Warwickshire

About the walk

Regarded as one of the most visually striking mansions in England and described by Pevsner as ‘the most perfect picture-book house of the Early Tudor decades’, Compton Wynyates is all that remains of the village of Compton-in-the-Hole, which was depopulated by Sir William Compton during the reign... of Henry VIII. The reason was simple: Sir William wanted to create a spacious park around his new home, built in brick on the site of an earlier structure, and the village was in the way. Compton Wynyates Lying in a secluded fold of the hills, about 12 miles (19km) southeast of Stratford-upon-Avon, Compton Wynyates first came into the possession of Philip de Compton in about 1204 and has been in the same family ever since. The original moated house was demolished and a new brick and stone building begun in about 1481 by Edmund de Compton, part of which still survives in the vicinity of the courtyard. The rebuilding of Compton Wynyates took about 40 years to complete. The house passed to Edmund’s son who, at the end of the 15th century, was a young page to Prince Henry. He was knighted by Henry VIII following the Battle of Tournai in 1512 and, as a gesture of thanks, the king also gifted him the old castle at Fulbroke, near Warwick. However, so keen was the Compton family to improve and enlarge Compton Wynyates that the castle was soon demolished to provide extra materials. Architectural features Undoubtedly, the timber roof of the hall and the oriel window facing the courtyard came from Fulbroke. Many other distinguished features from that period include the battlemented towers and the great porch, which has the arms of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon above the door. Henry VIII stayed here on several occasions, as did Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. The variety of colour in the brickwork is breathtaking, with hardly two bricks being the same shade. As you look down the drive towards the house, you should catch a hint of pale rose, orange, dark red and blue. Dark days During the Civil War in the 17th century, Compton Wynyates was besieged, captured and plundered by the Parliamentarians in 1644, and the Royalist Compton family exiled. The church was completely demolished at this time and the deep scars left from this period in Britain’s history can still be seen at Compton Wynyates. The house was eventually returned to the Compton family after the restoration of the monarchy during the reign of the Stuarts. Secret passages Privately owned, and sadly not open to the public, Compton Wynyates comprises a fascinating network of secret passages, hidden rooms and fine stairways. It is said that there are almost 100 rooms and about 300 windows. The dining room has a fine Elizabethan, or perhaps early Jacobean, ceiling and there are many portraits in the house of Compton ancestors. Carved panels depicting the Battle of Tournai and a 16th-century tapestry of Cupid picking grapes are among many other features. Surviving features in the garden include the central pond, terrace, rustic summer house and a pergola.

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About the area

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.

Nearby places to stay

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Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:

660ft (201m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Tysoe to scenic Compton Wynyates

Recommended by

Our view

"Enjoy spectacular views of one of Warwickshire's finest houses on this scenic walk over high ground"

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Moderate

Distance:

5.5 miles (8.8kms)

Ascent:

660ft (201m)

Walk directions

1 of 4

2 of 4

Keep walking ahead, passing a house on the left-hand side and, as the road begins to curve left, look for a galvanised gate on the right. Join the green lane and follow it to the next gate and stile. Continue ahead and, when the track curves to the left, go straight ahead and up the edge of the field. Pass a ruined stone-built barn and make for the top corner of the field. Take some steps up the bank before climbing steeply but briefly up to a kissing gate. Keep a stone wall and a restored windmill on your left-hand side and look over to the right for a splendid view of Compton Wynyates house.

3 of 4

Go through a gate a few paces ahead and then follow the path over the high ground, keeping to the right of the windmill. Make for a hedge corner ahead, pass through the gap and then descend the field slope, keeping the hedge on your right. Pass into the next field and keep close to the right-hand boundary. Aim a little to the left of the bottom right corner of the field and make for a stile leading out to the road. Turn right and return to Upper Tysoe.

4 of 4

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Field paths, tracks and roads, several stiles

Landscape - Undulating countryside on edge of Cotswolds

Dog friendliness - On lead or under control across farmland and careful along roads

Parking - Roadside spaces in Tysoe

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in Warwickshire Dog-friendly walks in Warwickshire

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Warwickshire

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Tysoe to scenic Compton Wynyates

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Tysoe to scenic Compton Wynyates

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