Walk 5
Wellesbourne to Walton and Back

This is a good walk during or after rain using all roads and tracks, avoiding muddy fields, with no stiles. It can be done with fields and 4 stiles when conditions permit.

From the Stag's Head in Chestnut Square, cross the main road and proceed down Chapel Street, noting the old shops and the flood level marker. Turn right into Lowes Lane and then left by the way marker (or, if fields are muddy, continue to the top of Lowes Lane and turn left). Follow the path into a field and head straight across it to a stile on the far side. Continue a short way round the field boundary to a footbridge over the River Dene. Cross the bridge and go up a slight hill to the field boundary, where you turn right towards the Mill Farm buildings.

Pass the stable buildings on your left and follow the way markers straight ahead, passing the watermill on your right. You now keep the hedge on your left and continue through one small and two larger fields to reach a track. Turn right and cross the foot­bridge by the ford. Turn left and proceed along the road into Walton village. Keep to the main road through the

village and continue for about ¼ mile until you reach the turning on the left to Walton Hall and the Parish

Church. The road sweeps down over the lake to the Hall – now a hotel, and past the Church of St James. The present-day Hall dates from the 1860's, but it was built on the site of a much older house. It is possible to obtain refreshments in the hotel.

Keep following the road in front of the hotel buildings and round the left-hand bend. This drive leads to the main B4086 Wellesbourne to Kineton Road after about 1½ miles. This is a busy road, so do take care as you turn left and follow it back to Wellesbourne. Refreshments can be taken at the Watermill Barn and at the Coffee Stop in the Precinct. Turn left just after the Surgery and then right at the back of the library. Continue past the Village Hall, cross Willow Drive and turn left down Bridge Street to return to the Stag's Head. An alternative is to take the rather overgrown footpath on your left, just after the Wellesbourne sign on the Kineton Road. This path leads down to the bridge that you crossed at the beginning of the walk, so you can retrace your steps back to the Stag's Head.

This walk can be shortened by turning left before the ford, proceeding up the short hill and turning left at the top onto Jubilee Drive. It is also possible to turn left in Walton Village and join the same drive.

JK, DJ

Walton

• Walton Hall: The current building was extensively altered in the 1860's.  It was originally the home of the Mordaunts, but has been a boarding school and a hotel and time share in more recent times.
• Schoolhouse – Walton Village – built in 1832 for the education of the village children
• Wellesbourne Watermill – previously known as the Baysford Mill and mentioned in the Doomsday Book.