Trains to Birmingham The King’s Head Pub The Village Hall St John the Baptist Church Things to see in Aston Cantlow www.ardenway.org Photographs © Sarah McCarthy 2011 McCarthy Sarah © Photographs © Crown copyright and database right 2011 right database and copyright Crown © Association who maintain the Arden Way Arden the maintain who Association Contains Ordnance Survey data Survey Ordnance Contains With thanks to the Heart of England Way Way England of Heart the to thanks With Registered Charity No: 258612 No: Charity Registered T. 020 7213 0660 7213 020 T. S Shop 1 West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9EE EC1A London, Smithfield, West 1 visitchurches.org.uk A46 Stratford A46 Refreshments Steep slope Steep Parking Trains to Sites of interest of Sites Birmingham Arden Way Arden National Cycle Route 5 Route Cycle National Billesley A46 Worcester A46 Cycle & road trail road & Cycle The King’s Head Pub (Hotel) The Village Hall Walking trail Walking Village Manor Manor Medieval Medieval St John Billesley Deserted Deserted the Baptist Church Things to see in All Saints’ Church Saints’ All Things to see in Aston Cantlow Mary Wilmcote Arden’s Farm Withycombe Wood Withycombe S Aston Grove St Mary St Andrew’s and Church All Saints’ Church Stratford/London Trains to to Trains Stocks their communities. their open and in use – living once again at the heart of of heart the at again once living – use in and open Haselor our help and with your support they are kept are they support your with and help our Stocks attract more than 2 million visitors a year. With With year. a visitors million 2 than more attract TrainsChurch toSaints’ All We’ve saved over 340 beautiful buildings which which buildings beautiful 340 over saved We’ve and Church Stratford/London St Mary St St Andrew’s St historic churches at risk. at churches historic is the national charity protecting charity national the is Aston Grove Aston The Churches Conservation Trust Conservation Churches The Trains to S Birmingham Walcote Farm Arden’s Withycombe Wood Mary Mary Wilmcote Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare A note on the walking route corn. of field a trampling for Things to see in The King’s Head Pub boys punish to 1841 in used Mary Canal towpaths, open countryside, ancient woodlands, cosy The terrain is relatively flat but uneven. There are some steep last stocks, three-person of Wilmcote Arden’s All Saints’ Church The Village Hall walk in the set a is there road the Down pubs and unusual churches. This trail links the villages of parts, which are slippery when wet (these are marked on the Farm Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow, and Billesley - each claiming its own map). Please make sure you are appropriately equipped. St John special connection to William Shakespeare. Stout walking shoes or boots are recommended. The route is Billesley Deserted the Baptist wondrous! S footsteps of not suitable for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs. Manor Medieval Church Things to see inare here from views The There are two circular routes – a walking route mainly on public Haselor. of village the in (Hotel) Village Aston Grove footpaths, and a road-based route for cyclists and those with The route takes you through open farmland and fields where Aston Cantlow Church Saints’ All and limited mobility (though please be aware the country roads are livestock may be grazing. Please act accordingly and abide by Mary’s St century 12th the St Mary St Andrew’s shakespeare visit time, the have you If often narrowA46 and withoutWorcester pavements). Both routes are about 8 the Countryside Code: and Things to see in Church miles long, but can be explored in sections. detour optional An A guided trail around Billesley, Wilmcote • Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs All Saints’ Church Billesley and Aston Cantlow. Below you will find more detailed maps of each section of the • Leave gates and property as you find them trail: Wilmcote to Billesley, Billesley to Aston Cantlow, • ProtectCanal plants and animals,Stratford-Upon-Avon and take your litter home and Aston Cantlow to Wilmcote • Keep dogs under close control Places of interest that you may wish to visit have been highlighted. • Consider other people Stocks Opening times are seasonal – please check before you visit. We recommend this trail be used in conjunction with the Trains to Getting here Ordnance Survey’s Explorer maps (205 and 220) Stratford/London at 1:25 000 scale. These show alternative public paths Public transport: as well as longer signed routes and other useful information. Wilmcote train station is served by trains from Birmingham, Stratford-Upon-Avon and London. Buses run between Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow and Stratford-Upon-Avon. The little church Cantlow Aston A46 Stratford Church Bike: Baptist the at the heart of the trail Withycombe Wood The long distance Route 5 of the National Cycle Network All Saints’ Church St JohnJohn St the Baptist Church The Village Hall St Andrew’s Church Grade 1 Listed All Saints’ Church was built in the 11th century (between Reading and Holyhead) passes through the area. Dating from the 11th century, it is said that William Shakespeare This 13th century parish church is where Formerly the medieval Guild Hall, Built in 1841 to serve the growing population drawn to work to serve the village of Billesley. In the 14th century, Billesley Hall Village The married Anne Hathaway here. Evidence indicates that this is William Shakespeare’s parents, Mary Arden and John it was once also used as the local jail. in the quarry, its design by William Butterfield is admired as a Car: suffered a run of bad harvests and plague epidemics. The Pub Head King’s The where their granddaughter, Elizabeth, wed. Shakespeare, married in 1557. pure specimen of the Gothic Revival. The area lies north west of Stratford and is reached via the church fellTrains into to disrepair, but was saved when remodelled in the Birmingham ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................ A46 (Stratford - Worcester). 17th century to become the estate church of Billesley Manor. All Saints’ Church There is free parking at: In 1976, All Saints’ future was secured when it passed into Deserted The King’s Head Pub • The Mary Arden Inn and Mary Arden’s Farm, Wilmcote the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Assisted Billesley The Village Hall Birmingham Medieval • The Kings Head, Aston Cantlow by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and with support from local Manor St John to Trains Village Things to see in the Baptist communities, the Trust is working to preserve the church, (Hotel) Church • Billesley Manor Hotel along with its links to one of England’s most famous writers. Mary Aston Cantlow Wilmcote Arden’s Food & facilities This pamphlet has been created in collaboration with the A46 Worcester Things to see in Farm Aston Cantlow and District Local History Society. We hope All three villages have places to stop, rest and eat: the Mary you enjoy the trail. Billesley S Arden Inn and the Mason’s Arms, both in Wilmcote; The Kings Head, Aston Cantlow; and the Billesley Manor Hotel. Aston Grove Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal Mary Arden’s Farm, Wilmcote, also has a cafe and picnic area. Billesley ManorSt Mary The King’s Head Pub Mary Arden’s Farm St Andrew’s The Wilmcote Store is a handy place (and the only one on A new manor house andwas built in the 17th century. Reportedly where Shakespeare’s parents Once the home of Shakespeare’s mother, Church visitchurches.org.uk /shakespeare the route!) to pick up supplies for the journey. It is nowAll a Saints’ hotel. Church celebrated their wedding. now a living history museum and working farm. Trains to Birmingham Stocks Wilmcote Mary A46 Stratford Arden’s Trains to Walcote Farm S The King’s Head Pub Stratford/London The Village Hall Aston Grove Trail highlights: Trains to St John Birmingham the Baptist St Andrew’s Trail highlights: St Mary Church and Church All Saints’ Church Billesley - Aston Cantlow Aston Cantlow Haselor Wilmcote - Billesley (3 miles) (2.1 miles) The King’s Head Pub The Village Hall Stocks The trail takes you through an area of ancient woodland, This sectionTrains of to the trail will reward you with glorious St John Withycombe Wood Stratford/London the Baptist home to several protected species of trees and plants. It is a panoramas of the Warwickshire countryside, alongside Church Aston Cantlow designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. glimpses into life in this area – past and present. Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal At one point the walking route passes straight over a training Withycombe Wood ‘gallop’ for racehorses, demarcated by high white fences, with Trail highlights:All Saints’ Church sand underfoot. All Saints’ Church Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal Aston Cantlow - Wilmcote Billesley Deserted Billesley Deserted (3.2 miles) Medieval Manor Medieval Manor (Hotel) Village Village Leaving the (Hotel)village, you will find yourself wandering through A46 Worcester wild meadows between vast fields of wheat, oats and grazing Billesley Wilmcote livestock. Many species of plants, wild animals and insects Mary A46 Worcester Arden’s Walcote flourish here: you may be surprised Thingsby a deer bounding to see across in Farm S the field in front of you; a host of butterfliesBillesley wafting their way past; or the electric blue of the cornflower. Aston Grove Aston Grove St Mary St Andrew’s and Church ........................................................................................Wilmcote Mary Part of the walking route follows the Stratford-upon-Avon All Saints’ Church Arden’s Walcote Farm Canal. Completed in 1816, the canal became vitally important A46 Stratford Haselor The names of the plants evoke a wonderful senseS of for transporting limestone and lime cement from the local Shakespearean magic: wych elm, downy birch, goat willow, Aston Grove Stocks quarries.