[1] Outside the Ramphal Building (according to the plaque near the entrance, it was opened in 1996 by The Hon Sir Shrideth Ramphal OE AC GCMG QC) turn left to walk down Library Road to the T junction, and then cross over University Road at the pedestrian lights. Walk over the footbridge immediately ahead and continue forwards with the large pool with fountains on your left and the Digital Laboratory building on your right. At the end of the building turn to your right and follow the path to arrive at the security barrier. Turn immediately left (note cycle route sign, and take care as this is used by university traffic) and continue past the Halls of Residence on your right.
(A) The University of Warwick (informally known as Warwick University) is a public research university founded in 1965 as part of a government initiative to expand access to higher education. Warwick Medical School opened in 2000.
Using the footpaths available, continue until you reach another security barrier across the road. Turn right and follow this road to the mini roundabout.
[2] At the mini roundabout, cross the road and continue forwards on the footpath, with the large car park on your left. At the corner of the car park turn left and then immediately right. Continue forwards along the lane ahead; Shultern Lane.
(B) Ivy Farm Lane, Cannocks Lane and Shultern Lane are all shown on maps dating from as early as 1597. The area once formed the old hamlet of Canley, and was based on a number of separate farms.
At the end of the lane turn left continuing onto Ivy Farm Lane. Continue forwards past Cannock Lane on the right, until the junction with Cannon Hill Road. Turn left and continue, passing the entrance to Canley Cemetery.
(C) Canley Cemetery was founded in 1943. It is the largest in the city and is home to the crematorium.
Just before the mini roundabout cross the road to your right to walk along a short footpath and then turn right into the road which runs parallel with the dual carriageway. Walk about 50 metres along this and then cross the dual carriageway at the Toucan crossing. Extreme care needed as this is a very busy main road.
[3] Once you have crossed the road, continue forwards with the petrol station on your left to enter a path on your right, WMP Canley Ford.
If it is wet underfoot, you may wish to avoid the path through Canley Ford. Once you have crossed the A45, turn right and continue along the shared footpath/cyclepath by the A45 to the traffic lights. Turn left at the lights into Kenilworth Rd. Continue towards the War memorial Park as in the main route.
Follow this path, past Canley Ford.
(D) This lane was the route to Allesley but is now closed to traffic. In the 1960s it was still possible to use it instead of the A45. The woodland through which this goes was part of the Forest of Arden. Canley Meadows is managed as a local conservation area and there is an impressive metal sculpture of a kestrel in the meadow to your right although you can't see this from the main path.
At the path junction turn right to continue until you reach the A429, Kenilworth Road. Turn left and walk along Kenilworth Road, noting the large depression in the ground on your left.
(E) Coventry was once within the Forest of Arden. The woodland on either side of the Kenilworth Road is part of Styvechale (Stivichall) Common. Now part of a Conservation Area, designated in 1968, the woodlands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. There is a deep depression on the corner of Beechwood Avenue and Kenilworth Road (locally known as the Devil's Dungeon) which is the remains of an old stone pit.
Cross the road at the 2nd set of lights, just before you reach Beechwood Road. Turn left and then right to enter the War Memorial Park. via the large Park and Ride Car park.
(F) The War Memorial Park was opened in July 1921 on land which Coventry Council bought from the Lords of Styvechale Manor. The park was opened as a tribute to the 2,587 Coventrians who died between 1914 and 1918 fighting in the First World War. The War Memorial Park is approximately 48.5 hectares in size and consists of two distinct areas; the formal garden dominated by stately Copper Beech trees, which was planted in memory of the military servicemen who died during the war; and the large-scale ornamental flower borders, rockeries and water gardens which make the park extremely popular to all visitors.
As you enter the park, turn left (care is needed as you cross the vehicular entrance due to buses and cars entering and leaving the park). Follow the path along the edge of the park, passing the Poppy Sculpture on your left and the cafe and toilets on your right.
(G) In the 1990s, after heavy snowfall, many of the Atlantic Cedar trees in the park were damaged. The poppy sculpture is formed from one of the trees whose branches snapped under the weight of the dense snow.
Continue past the German Peace Garden on your right to the park gates.
[4] Leave the park through the gates. Turn left and cross the road at the lights. Turn right and after about 20 metres, walk up the steps on your left to the small formal park, Top Green Park.
(H) Top Green is a small mature formal park. A key feature is the display of Crocus and Daffodils in the spring.
Walk along the path through this park which runs parallel to the main road. At the end of this park cross Spencer Road, before continuing on to cross Warwick Road at the pedestrian lights by King Henry VIII school.
(I) Henry VIII school is an independent school, founded in 1545, now run by the Coventry School Foundation.
Continue in the same direction along Warwick Road. Just after the road crosses the railway line there is a flight of steps on your right. Walk down these and follow the path which runs parallel to the station platform, turning left and then right to enter the station through a side entrance.