Warwick Waterways Walk with Optional Tower Climb & Canal Side Lunch
Overview
This is an interesting walk around this historic town which includes the opportunity to visit the beautiful St Mary's Church and climb it's tower (this is weather dependent and cost is £5 on the day if you wish to go up). There's also a great canal-side pub at the end where those who wish can have a spot of lunch.
We are meeting at Warwick Parkway Railway Station which has regular services to Birmingham Moor Street. There is also lots of car parking.
From there we take paths right across the race course to the town centre, where we will stop to admire the sights and visit St Mary's Church with the option to climb it. We will also make a detour to get views of the impressive Castle before we join the River. We follow the bank of the River Avon on the lovely Riverside Walk all the way to the Aqueduct of the Grand Union Canal. Here we take the steps up onto the Aqueduct and turn left to join the Grand Union Canal. Along the canal we pass the wharfs and boatyards that remind us of the days when this was a crucial link between Birmingham and London.
Towards the end of the walk we will stop at a very traditional canal side pub, “The Cape of Good Hope” that is full of Victorian charm and history. We will have tables reserved for you to order snacks, meals or just drinks as you wish. From the pub it is only a short stroll back to the railway station.
The whole route is around 6 – 7 miles and we should complete it in around 3 hours, depending on the stops we make to admire the famous landmarks.
Extras
Parking, option of lunch at The Cape of Good Hope and option of Tower Climb
Chiltern Line trains headed for London leave regularly from Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street Stations for Warwick Parkway. Stops in between depend on the train you choose but usually include Solihull.
If you wish to drive, there’s lots of parking at around £6 per day (at time of writing) at Warwick Parkway Station or £3 per day in the nearby Canal & River Trust Car Park.