Short walk via Burmington
A short walk into the delightful countryside near the town of Shipston on Stour
Exit the car park onto the B4035 Road and turn left to walk its
pavement for about 175 yards. Cross over the road with care and pass
through the metal kissing gate opposite to join the well defined
Shakespeare’s Way.
The Shakespeare's Way is a 146 mile long-distance footpath between
Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare's Globe, London – the route was
opened on the 19th April 2006.
Walk the ‘Way’ for just over half a mile with the River Stour down to
your right. When you arrive near to Barcheston – you will see the
church of St. Martins up to your left. Once over the stile at the
village entrance bear slight left passing the brick barn conversion and
then turn right through another metal gate. Follow the clear Way
markers through the village of Barcheston and continue to follow the
waymarkers into Willington. In Willington bear slight right along the
surfaced road keeping to the immediate right of a stone house with a
projecting bread oven. Pass by the more modern houses on the right and
left before bearing left on road behind Old Brook Cottages on the
right. Where the road bends left you leave the Shakespeare’s Way and
continue ahead along a clear footpath. This easy to follow footpath
continues southwards over a series of fields. You pass to the left of
Manor farm and in about 400 yards cross over a footbridge then continue
ahead gently ascending a large field to reach the field corner on edge
of Burmington Village. Bear slight left and walk the back of gardens to
arrive on the road in the hamlet of Burmington.
Turn right and then go right again to walk a footpath across
pastureland. This soon reaches the main A3400 road. Turn right and
stroll along the pavement of the major road and you will pass by
Tidmington Church building.
Tidmington church dates from c.1200. It consists of an early 13th C
nave, an early 16th C. chancel and a modern porch. Romanesque sculpture
is found on the font
In a further 100 yards cross over the A3400 with great care and go over
the stile opposite into pastureland. Bear right and follow the clear
waymarkers over some five fields. After half a mile of delightful
Warwickshire countryside the footpath arcs right and you exit via a
stile onto the pavement of the A3400 road once again. Cross over the
road with care and turn left along the pavement to enter the town of
Shipston on Stour. You will pass by the Cemetery Church and descend
Furze Hill into the town. After passing the entrance to Furlong Meadow
on the right you soon reach the main part of the town and veer right
into New Street. At the junction of roads turn right and proceed back
to Bridge Car park to complete your short walk.
Shipston on Stour is a former market town situated on the edge of the
Cotswolds and for a long time was an important sheep market town. After
the demand for local wool began to diminish the town continued to
flourish due to the opening in 1836 of a branch line from the
horse-powered tramway built to link Stratford with Moreton-in-Marsh.
The line became a modern railway in 1889. The town was an important
coaching town and many of the old inns survive. The town’s name derives
from being known in ancient times as 'Sheep-wash-Town.
By: Roger Noyce
Map of the walk:
