If starting from Draycotte Water visitor centre, start walking anti clockwise around the reservoir along the top of the dam and continuing along the perimeter road to the cycle route sign mentioned below. Walking clockwise round the reservoir is also possible, but would add 3.75 miles to the route.
[1] From the parking spot on the A426 walk north-east for 100 metres to find a waymarked stile on the left hand side of the road. Look out for fast moving traffic. Walk ahead through the field, keeping the hedgerow on your right, to reach a stile by a gate in the far right corner. Continue in the same direction to the far right corner of the next field where you find a stile and footbridge leading to the right. Walk along a straight path though a wooded area. Where the path turns right there is a kissing gate on the left. Go through into Draycote Water country park and turn right to follow the path along the eastern side of the reservoir. (Or turn left to return to the visitor centre if you started from there.)
At the north-east corner of the reservoir take the exit indicated by a cycle route sign with distances to Dunchurch and Rugby. After 20 metres you should see a metal bridle gate on the right giving access to a grassy slope. Climb the slope, keeping parallel to the fence on your left, and aim for a slight dip in the ridge line ahead. The route runs alongside the Toft Alpaca Farm so you may see some of these distinctive South American grazers in the adjacent fields. When you reach a fence at the top of the slope go over a stile and turn left into Toft Lane. Follow the lane to its junction with the A426. Turn left and walk towards the motorway bridge.
[2] Just before the bridge, cross the road and go right down a track on the eastern side. You have reached the highest point on the walk on Toft Hill and this track runs along its eastern spur. A wide view opens out over the Warwickshire countryside. The most prominent hill is at Shuckburgh, with the microwave tower at Charwelton visible just to its left. Towards the south the cement factory chimney at Long Itchington can be seen. With the aid of binoculars, or very sharp eyesight, you can pick out more distant features such as the Burton Dassett Hills, Brailes Hill and Ilmington Downs.
Follow the track down the slope, keeping a hedge on your left. At the far corner of the field go over a stile and turn right. A line of stumps shows that this must once have been a tree lined track. Walking through grassy fields, keep the hedge on your right and continue in the same direction over a stile by a gate and then over a small stream. Cross a second stile and carry on along a grassy strip between ploughed fields. When you reach a farm drive turn left and walk along the drive, passing Whitehall Farm on your right.
[3] The drive crosses the Rains Brook to reach a junction. To continue to Grandborough carry straight on. If you opt for the shorter alternative route turn right following the sign for Toft Lakes and after 300 metres you cross the River Leam and reach waypoint 5. The main route continues along a rough track with fence and then a hedge on your left. After about a kilometre you reach a minor road by crossing a stile beside a field gate. Turn left and walk along the road for 50 metres to find a waymarked kissing gate on the right. Go through and walk across two paddocks keeping close to the right hand hedge. Turn right and walk along the road through the hamlet of Woolscott. It is thought that Woolscott was a more substantial settlement in the medieval period. It still has a variety of interesting houses. The timber framed Harrow House, alongside the paddocks, was once the Harrow Inn.
Where the road turns left take a footpath that carries straight on over a stile and beside a hedge. After 100 metres look out for a stile where the footpath crosses to the left hand side of the hedge. Walk along the left side of the hedge to a gateway into the next field and then head diagonally left over the grassy field towards the church spire. Go through a line of small trees and continue diagonally left to reach a kissing gate in the far left corner of the field. You have a view of Grandborough Mill, which operated until about 1920. It is now a private residence. Go out onto the road and turn right. Follow the road into Grandborough village. The road crosses two bridges, over the River Leam and a backwater. The low lying area is subject to flooding.
[4] Go through a gate into the churchyard and walk along an avenue of yew trees to the right of the church. The church of St Peter dates from the fourteenth century. Emerging at the main gates to the churchyard you carry straight on along the side road of a small triangle and turn left into Main Street. At the T junction, you can turn left to find the Shoulder Of Mutton pub if you require refreshments, but to follow the route, turn right along Hill Road and bear right again at the next junction. Follow the road for 400 metres as it continues in a steady direction. When the road makes a sharp turn to the left carry straight on along a farm track with a footpath waymark. This track is easy to follow as it continues in the same direction for a kilometre, gradually getting smaller and grassier. To your right you have a good view of earlier sections of the walk.
Eventually the track switches from the left to the right of the hedge and soon afterwards turns right to arrive at a junction with a more substantial farm drive. Continue straight ahead along the farm drive passing the Toft Fishing Lakes on your left. Looking to your right you should be able to make out the course of the River Leam.
[5] Just before the bridge over the Leam turn onto a footpath heading east along the riverbank. After an attractive section of 400 metres alongside the river you cross a footbridge and turn left to walk along the far bank. Cross a stile in the hedgerow just after the river bends left. Ignore the white arrow pointing straight on and turn right to follow the left side of the hedge alongside three fields. When you emerge into a grassy field head straight out, aiming for the far end of a line of trees growing in the hedgerow to your right. There is a stile at the far right corner, although this is initially out of sight in a dip. Go over the stile, through a strip of young woodland, over a second stile and along a path between a wire fence and the hedge. After walking alongside two fields you will be back at waypoint [1]. Take care as you emerge onto the road. Turn left back to the lay by if you parked there, or continue the instructions from waypoint [1] to return to the visitor centre.