Warwickshire's stunning forest walk perfect for a winter stroll

There are many scenic places across our region where you can enjoy a winter walk with loved ones. For those who enjoy the outdoors, walking across picturesque woodlands and long paths and spotting historic landmarks is a way to break up the day and get some well-needed exercise.

Various walks within Warwickshire offer stunning scenery, and one worth trying is the Arden Way and River Arrow walk. The route starts at country house Coughton Court and goes through the River Arrow and the Heart of England Forest.

The walk is dog-friendly, and according to our friends at the National Trust, it takes one hour to complete and is 2km long (3.2 miles for the full trail). It is described as a 'gentle walk' but has some 'uneven ground' with some fields accessed via kissing gates.

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Coughton Court is a Grade I listed English Tudor country house located between Studley and Alcester in Warwickshire. It has been home to the Throckmorton family for 600 years, including the present day. The country house offers 114 acres of parkland, with an ancient bluebell wood and river, home to various species, including herons, kingfishers, and a range of fish. There's also a Tudor-style courtyard, orchard, and an award-winning walled garden managed by Mr Magnus Birch-Throckmorton.

The manor house is currently undergoing refurbishment of a large-scale building conservation project until 2025, but the building remains open for you to explore with new displays and the Through The Roof exhibition.

Along the route, you'll stop by the Heart of England Forest, a charity project aimed at regenerating English woodland after many decades of decline. The project recently purchased its first woodland, 186 acres of conifer trees, called Coughton Park Wood. The conifer plantation will be transformed into native broadleaf woodland, which you can pass by on your walk and see the progress.

The full Arden Way and River Arrow walking route, starting at Coughton Court

From the welcome centre of Coughton Court, walk back to the overflow car park across the bridge. Turn right and walk halfway through the car park until you see a wide gate on the left. Go through the gate and bear left across the field towards a wide metal gate with a National Trust signpost beside it. Go through the kissing gate and onto the Arden Way.

With the hedge on your left, walk along the edge of the field to the corner, turn right, and after a few metres, go through a metal gate on your left. Continue diagonally across the field to another kissing gate. You'll see an Arden Way signpost.

Enter Haydon Way Wood, part of the Heart of England Forest, and take the right-hand fork past the bench which will be on your right side. Continue until you reach the gate and then cross the bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn right, go through the gate, and follow the river downstream. A large farmhouse will be on your left.

Go through the gate and up the steps to the next gate. Follow the river to another gate, go through, and continue to follow the river. At the fork, go right nearest to the river and follow it around. On the right, a small wooden plank bridge will cross into the next field. At the fork, go right, cross over the next wooden bridge, and continue straight ahead.

Go through the next gate, turn left, and continue towards the wood. Once in Timm's Grove (a bluebell wood), turn right and continue on a circular route until you arrive back at the entrance gate.

Go through the gate, turn left, and head diagonally across the field towards the bridge. Once you reach the bridge, you can either go across the bridge into Coughton or, for those who would like a longer walk or who have a dog, turn left at the bridge, keeping the river on your right until you reach a gate.

Go across the field and through the kissing gate onto the stone road. Head straight over the stone road and through the next kissing gate. Cross the field and go through the gate, then keep to the right-hand side of the field. Look carefully for a path down to a kissing gate in the corner of the field. Be advised that the grass is 'sometimes long' and can be difficult to find the gate. An alternative is to turn right along the stone road. This can flood at any time of the year, so be cautious.

Go through the gate and turn right onto the road. Once you reach the Ford, cross the bridge, continue along the road, and turn right back into Coughton Court. Pass both churches and the house, then head back over the bridge into the car park.

For more information about the walking route, visit the National Trust website.

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