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Wootton Wawen to Stratford upon Avon

Route facts

Waterways:
Stratford-upon-Avon Canal »

Distance: 7.46 miles / 12 km

Difficulty: Easy

Starts at: Wooton Wawen

Ends at: Stratford upon Avon

Walking route provided by www.meanderholidays.co.uk, which provides self-guided walking holidays.

Getting there

Parking: Park at Stratford on Avon railway station and catch the train to Wooton Wawen.

 

Waypoints

1. Start

At Wooton turn left out of the station and follow the road round to the right. At the main road turn right.

Easting: 414812, Northing: 263131

2. Wooton Wawen to canal towpath

Wooton Wawen is an attractive village on the river Alne. Cross over the Alne and ahead you will see the aqueduct carrying the canal over the road. To reach the Navigation pub continue under the aqueduct.

Before the aqueduct, to the left you will see the Yew tree craft centre which has a variety of shops and a cafeTo reach the canal turn left along the road next to the craft centre and look for track on your right after about 100m. Follow the track to the canal and turn right with the canal on your left. You will shortly cross the aqueduct which has an odd construction with the towpath being lowered so your head is at water level.

Easting: 415832, Northing: 262966

3. Canal towpath to Edstone

After 1.5 miles you will reach the Edstone (or Bearley) aqueduct - at 230m the longest in England. The aqueduct is a narrow cast iron trough 8.5m above the valley. It crosses a railway, stream and road and once again the towpath is lower than the canal. When the canal was closed the locals used the aqueduct as a good place to swim. In the days of steam, trains were able obtain water by using a valve in the base of the aqueduct.

Easting: 416199, Northing: 260958

4. Edstone to Wilmcote

Bridge 59 provides access to Wilmcote, which has two pubs and a shop. Wilmcote is also the birthplace of Mary Arden and houses a museum to commemorate this. Wilmcote has a railway station should you decide to shorten your walk. To reach the village cross the canal bridge and continue into the village. To reach the station walk in the opposite direction.

Easting: 416684, Northing: 258133

5. Wilmcote to Stratford upon Avon

After Wilmcote the canal descends to Stratford. Through the town the canal is below street level so you see nothing of the town until you are delivered into its heart right next to the river, theatre and marina as you exit the last bridge - a real surprise.

Easting: 420419, Northing: 254878