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Wondered if any Warwickshire residents can help here as my map skills have failed me.
Looked for a running route from Leamington Spa station to just outside Stratford. I don't really want to run alongside the main roads, and also don't want to be running along single track roads.
Ideally looking for a combination of off road paths and the odd quiet road.
Any suggestions?
How far do you want to run? It's out of the way, but canal to Rowington, then across to Lowsonford and down the canal to Stratford is the easiest/most quiet. (Or all the way up to Lapworth for 100% canal towpath.)
Non-singletrack or main roads is tricky. At first glance I don't see anything decent really based on my riding (road/bridleways) knowledge of the area.
I live in Warwick, but I'm not a runner. As far as I know, there isn't a route that satisfies your conditions. The riverside walk or the canal towpath will get you from Leamington to Warwick, and if it's dry it should be runnable. From Warwick to Stratford you don't have a lot of options, the river tends to get in the way. The single track roads are pretty quiet though, and drivers are pretty used to cyclists and runners.
How far do you want to run? It’s out of the way, but canal to Rowington, then across to Lowsonford and down the canal to Stratford is the easiest/most quiet. (Or all the way up to Lapworth for 100% canal towpath.)
This 100% is completely traffic free if you go to lapworth junction then down the south Stratford canal. Uphill to lapworth then downhill to SoA
Where just outside Stratford do you need to get to?
Several options, including canal, or through Warwick, past the castle, wide pavement to Nat Longbridge, over the m40 on the m40 then out towards Hatton Rock.
You're going to have to go on some quiet roads at some point though I'm afraid.
As above, it depends on distance, following the canal will be super quiet but it's quite a long way around.
Try cyclestreets.net to give you a quiet, semi offroad starter for 10 route?
Where just outside Stratford do you need to get to?
Tiddington.
Happy for it to be a good length of run, ideally less than 15 miles though.
Member of the Leamington Spa massive here.
As submarined says, Hatton Rock way.
I'd go out the bottom of Leamington, Bishops Tachbrook, along through Oakley Wood, over into Ashorne, take the paths/bridleways to Newbold Pacey, through Charlecote to Hampton Lucy, to Hatton Rock then down the road to Tiddington.
Otherwise, out the back of Warwick, to Barford, down a bit of main road to Wasperton where there is a bridleway to Charlecote, then on to Hampton Lucy, then as above.
It's unfortunately a bit convoluted to get to Stratford. The canal is the most straightforward for sure, but might add a fair bit of mileage.
Actually, you may have to go right into Stratford in order to cross the Avon and come back to Tiddington, unless you fancy a swim to cool off.
I could probably do a gpx of the route I would go personally, if that's any help.
Tiddington is awkward to get to because of the lack of places to cross the Avon.
From the station, I'd cross the road and get onto the canal towpath. Stay on the towpath until you get to the aqueduct over the Avon, then take a right down some steps onto the riverside path. Take this to St Nicholas Park, through the park and then right onto the Banbury Road, left onto Castle Lane, left onto the Stratford Road. Follow this all the way south out of town, wave as you pass my house, left on the shared use path just before McDonalds and take the footbridge over the M40 then continue towards Barford. Turn right down Fulbrook Lane towards Hampton Lucy, after Hampton Wood take the bridleway to just by the bridge in Hampton Lucy. Left towards Charlcote, right at the T-junction and stay on that lane past Charlecote House. Pass the parked Vulcan Bomber on your left and turn right opposite the airfield down the lane and follow the footpaths to Tiddington. Not simple but it's about as direct as you can get.
*waves at Warwickshire folks 👋
*waves back 👋
@onewheelgood, I think you may have it.
https://www.strava.com/routes/3005883169974243122
The end is a mess, I think the other option is go right at Hampton Lucy towards Hatton Rock, down the Warwick road and cross the river near the Welcombe Golf club.
and cross the river near the Welcombe Golf club
Only if you are swimming across 😁. There are no bridges between Hampton Lucy and the centre of Stratford. There are a few places where it looks like there ought to be a bridge because a right of way leads straight to the river, but I think they are historical hangovers, maybe from a time when there was a ferryboat. Also, you really wouldn't want to run down that bit of the Warwick Road - I avoid cycling along it. Seriously unfriendly to non-motorised traffic.
Instead of hatton rock and along the Warwick Road, I'd try and follow that footpath that skirts the river just before Hatton Rock, cross the Warwick Road, up Ingon Manor direction then left past the Welcombe hills obelisk and into Stratford.
@onewheelgood, isn’t there one by the caravan park, Googlemaps reckons there is.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JjPkCyeFuaKjbcudA?g_st=ic
Just came here to say yes there is
As above, it links the Caravan park, down from the the Riverside bar or whatever it's called.
Not sure it's technically a right of way or what barriers there are, but I've seen golf carts and people go over it when I've been paddling under.
*Waves up the Avon to other Warwickshire folk*
isn’t there one by the caravan park,
Surely you mean luxury lodge park? But so there is. Don't think it's public but shouldn't think anyone would challenge a runner.
It'll still be fairly unpleasant along the main road for that distance. Not sure there's a footpath for much of it but yeah, I remember that footbridge now from paddling under it.
Pass the parked Vulcan Bomber on your left and turn right opposite the airfield down the lane
Pass the parked Vulcan Bomber on your left and stop at the Touchdown Cafe, turn right opposite the airfield down the lane...
and stop at the Touchdown Cafe,
On that subject Warwickshire people - is it any good in there? Ridden past it many times heading for a flapjack+coffee in the Garden Shed cafe.
On the route subject - there are bridleways & footpaths to Snitterfield, where you can hit the Monarch's way, then there seems to be a route through the golf course across the A46 to a caravan park with footbridge over the river that I think is referenced further up? Edit: roughly what kayak23 said.
Pass the parked Vulcan Bomber on your left and stop at the Touchdown Cafe, turn right opposite the airfield down the lane…
As of yesterday, the Vulcan is a bit closer to the main road than it was after over-running the runway during a fast taxi run. Bit of a brown-trouser moment for all concerned !
and stop at the Touchdown Cafe,
On that subject Warwickshire people – is it any good in there? Ridden past it many times heading for a flapjack+coffee in the Garden Shed cafe.
It's like a proper greasy spoon. Not really the sort of place you'd get artisan sourdough toast and a mochafrappaskinnychino
Full Englishville.
I'm a veggie so it's wasted on me, although they do, do a veggie breakfast too.
But yeah, it's great to sit outside and watch the small planes come and go.
I've never actually been on my bike, but often thought that i might not bother seeing as there is a sign saying not to take your bikes around the airfield side(where you can keep an eye on them) .
Many do cycle there though and lock them up together at the front of the building.
I very rarely cycle in Stratford direction purely because its difficult to put together a good circular route due to the river and fewer bridleways.
Re: Touchdown Café. No frills, not somewhere Mrs B would appreciate. Outside tables within a few metres of the taxiway, which is nice on a warm day. Inside tables have air charts for tablecloths