The Llangollen Walk

The Pontyscyttle aqueduct which carries the Llangollen canal & towpath 1000 feet over the River Dee 120 feet below in a narrow iron trough and is both the longest & highest navigable aqueduct in the world.

Kennet & Avon Walk

The lady's pool is a particularly broad stretch of the Kennet and Avon canal designed to look like a lake and forms part of our Kennet and Avon Walk.

Lancaster Canal

The partially restored Lancaster follows an interesting route into the Lake District & passes close to the sea as it provides excellent views of the Cumbrian hills.

Banbury to Stratford on Avon

From a fine market town into the heart of Stratford via the historic towns of Leamington and Warwick

A pleasant walk which takes in attractive countryside, the elegant town of Leamington Spa and historic Warwick and Stratford on Avon

The route can be followed in either direction.  Starting in the market town of Banbury the route travels north along the Oxford canal.

 

North of Banbury the canal reaches Cropredy a pretty village and the home of Fairport Convention before you encounter some spectacular meanders in the route which means you travel 3 miles to cover 1 mile as the crow flies!  The Oxford canal is a contour canal - built to follow the curves of the land thereby cutting the cost of expensive engineering such as locks and tunnels.

 

At Napton you leave the Oxford canal and join the Grand Union to travel to the neighbouring historic towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick.  Leamington is an elegant riverside spa town with excellent shopping and beautiful architecture, while Warwick is a historical town with a fine castle sitting high above the River Avon.

 

After Warwick the route continues west dropping through the Hatton flight of 21 locks and passing through the Shrewley tunnel.  before reaching its junction with the Stratford on Avon canal.  This takes you through rural Warwickshire over England's longest aqueduct before taking you right into the heart of Stratford.  The canal is beneath road level in the town meaning you emerge at the canal basin right next to the theatre and river at the heart of this historic town.

 

This is a lengthy route but sections of the route are also available as individual walks in our Midlands walk section.

The Oxford canal is a contour canal and north of Banbury displays a distinct lack of purpose as it meanders through the countryside. 

 

At Napton you leave the Oxford canal and join the Grand Union to travel to the neighbouring historic towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick.  Leamington is an elegant riverside spa town with excellent shopping, while Warwick is a historical town with a fine castle sitting on the River Avon.

 

After Warwick the route continues West to its junction with the Stratford on Avon canal which takes you into the heart of the historic town famous as Shakespeares birthplace with a wealth of things to see.

Walk Options

6 nights/5 walking days.  Banbury to Stratford on Avon via Leamington Spa and Warwick

£400 per person.  Single supplement £20 per night

56 miles


‘Rest and Exploration Days’

Stratford on Avon provides an ideal base to spend an extra day exploring the history of this fine town.  Alternativeley why not spend some time relaxing and exploring the neighbouring towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick which offer a good mix of history, shopping and relaxation.

Each additional night £40