A country walk at Blue Lias, Warwickshire

This Blue Lias Circular Walk is a 6-mile walk around Stockton Locks. The route follows the canal towpath and crosses nearby fields. There are a number of sights to be seen on the way, including the Locks, Napton Hill (from where seven counties can be seen on a clear day), the 12th century St. Michael's Church and the beautiful Stockton Reservoir.

1. Leave the car park of the Blue Lias pub, cross over the canal, join the towpath and head up the locks. At the top, continue along past the Boat Inn passing under bridges 20 and 19.

[At this point, for a short alternative route (1.5 miles / 2.5 kms - 45 minutes), cross the canal at bridge 21 and walk up the hill taking great care on the road side. After half a mile, turn right down the public footpath. This leads back across the derelict railway, through a thicket of trees and across the canal to the towpath.]

2. Immediately before bridge 18, leave the canal, crossing over the bridge and though several fields, to pass Sunnyside Farm on your left. Pass through two metal gates, two minor roads and along a farm track.

3. As a large field opens out on your left, turn right at the footpath sign and aim for the tall chimney in the distance. Head across the field and over a stile. Cross the tiny brook and walk to the far right corner. Keeping the hedge on your right, continue to the stile and turn left and immediately right onto the farm road, passing St. Michael's Church.

4. Pass the Barley Mow pub on the right and continue along Mount Pleasant, climbing gently uphill through hedge-lined paths to the footpath that eventually reaches the A426. Take care crossing this busy road and follow the path downhill and through a hedge-lined path, passing a house on your right. Keep the hedge to the right. At the gap, go through the hedge to the left corner of the field. Go through two kissing gates, across the derelict railway line and back to Stockton Reservoir and the Blue Lias pub.

5. If time permits, join the canal towpath again, haeding this time with the canal on your left. After about 300m, Kayes Arms can be seen on the far side of the canal, an original cement loading wharf.

Getting there

Parking: Blue Lias pub car park. Please visit the pub before and / or after your walk.

Public transport: Buses to Long Itchington, Southam and Stockton. Telephone 01788 535555 for more information. Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 222