This route crosses low lying areas by the River Leam and should not be attempted if there are flood warnings in force for the Offchurch area.
[1] From the car park entrance turn left and walk a short distance east along Radford Road to reach a crossing point at a traffic island. You are following route 41 in the National Cycle Network which is waymarked with blue signs. Continue east along Radford Road to reach steps on the right up the canal towpath on the right. Go up the steps and turn left onto the towpath.
(A) The Warwick and Napton canal opened to traffic in 1800, forming part of a route between Birmingham and London. It became part of the Grand Union Canal in 1929. You will be walking as far as Radford Bottom Lock, the end of a five mile level section along the Avon and Leam valleys. Beyond Radford the canal climbs to reach its junction with the Oxford canal at Napton.
Just past the old railway bridge, number 33A, turn left onto a tarmac path which is the start of the Offchurch Greenway. The path climbs up to join the formation of the disused railway from Leamington to Rugby.
(B) The London and North Western Railway opened a branch line from Rugby to Leamington in 1851. This was a year before the Great Western Railway line reached Leamington from Oxford. Regular passenger services between Leamington and Rugby ceased in 1959.
[2] At a fork in the Greenway the main cycle route carries on under a bridge. You should take the track on the left which climbs up the side of the cutting. When you reach the bridge turn left onto a footpath. Cross a field to reach a road.
Cross the road with care as there can be fast moving traffic at this point.
Go straight across and walk along Village Street towards Offchurch Church.
(C) The nave and chancel of Offchurch Church appear to date from the 11th or 12th centuries. The tower is of 15th century date and the whole building was restored in the 19th century. It would be nice to think that the church was founded by King Offa, or even that he is buried here, as is sometimes claimed, but the evidence for this is slight.
Turn right into School Hill and walk downhill.
[3] On reaching the junction with Welsh Road, turn left and after 50 metres go over a stile beside a gate on the left.
Care is needed as there is no footway on this section of the Welsh Road.
(D) The Welsh Road was a drove road used to walk Welsh cattle to the London markets. Its route can be traced from Brownhills to Buckingham.
Walk diagonally across a field above the river to reach another stile. Follow the waymarked path through the parkland of the Offchurch Bury estate. When you reach the tarmac estate road turn right and walk along it.
(E) Offchurch Bury was a substantial country house but most of it was demolished in 1954. It is now best known as an equestrian centre.
[4] At a gateway on the estate road the footpath leaves the road to the left just before the gateway, crosses a small stream and turns sharp left to follow a hedgerow. Continue straight on over another estate road and through part of a cross country course for horses.
Look out for horse riders who may not have noticed your presence.
At a point where you gain a good view of the River Leam ahead the footpath turns right and joins a track down to cross a former millrace. The path keeps left of the equestrian track, alongside the river, to reach a footbridge over the River Leam, (known as the White Bridge).
[5] On the far side of the bridge turn right and walk diagonally across a field to reach a stile. Once over the stile walk alongside the hedge to reach a gateway and then take your direction from a yellow footpath waymark pointing diagonally across a field. Disregard the equestrian track which is marked with black arrows. On reaching the junction with a gravel track, turn left and walk down the track with a golf course on your right. Follow the track as it makes a sharp turn to the right to run along the edge of a large meadow.
(F) Newbold Comyn park was purchased in 1943 by Leamington Corporation and is now administered by Warwick District Council. A broad strip in the south of the park, along the river, has been set aside as the Leam Valley local nature reserve.
At the western edge of the meadow the track forks, one branch going straight on, the other turning right. Take neither branch but instead follow the edge of the meadow round to the left for 25 metres to reach a gate leading into a wooded area.
[6] Once through the gate follow a track straight ahead, with a line of ponds on your right. Look out for a kissing gate on your right. Go through this gate, crossing a small stream and immediately turn left to enter a wooded strip which borders playing fields. You immediately reach a path crossing. Turn right onto a path that runs the length of the wooded strip.
Alternatively go straight ahead to reach a path along the riverbank. This path is, however, often waterlogged.
When you reach a tarmac path turn left and follow this path alongside the Leam and over a footbridge to return to your starting point.