The Route
Take Ettington Road south west and after 0.25 mile turn left into Walton Road and continue straight on for 4 miles. Cross over the ‘Fosse Way’ and shortly after take the right fork where the road splits.
After 1 mile you enter the village of Pillerton Priors where you turn left onto the Kineton road at the village hall. After 1 mile you enter Pillerton Hersey village and after a bend in the road turn left at the war memorial. Follow this road for 1 mile where you meet the fork in the road again and then the ‘Fosse Way’. Cross back over the ‘Fosse Way’ and continue back towards Wellesbourne.
After 1.5 miles turn right when you see the stone gate pillars (signposted Walton Hall and Hotel) and enter the grounds of Walton Hall. When you enter the hall grounds you will first go on a stone bridge over the lake and then you must keep left and follow the road around a large lawn. Once you are on the tree lined ‘Jubilee Drive’ follow it for 1.5 miles where you turn left into the Kineton Road at a T-junction. Continue for 0.5 mile into Wellesbourne and when in the village turn left into Bridge Street (after the pedestrian crossing) and a further 0.25 mile brings you back to Chestnut Square.
Topography
A steep climb, 4 miles from Wellesbourne takes you out of the Dene Valley and up and over the ‘Fosse Way’. 0.5 mile later there is a steady climb up into Pillerton Priors. Otherwise the route is gently graded with some descending on the return.
Advisory
A hill start is needed to cross the ‘Fosse Way’, traffic on this road travels fast so less experienced riders should consider dismounting and walking across.
Points of Interest:
· The estate village of Walton and the picturesque Dene Valley.
· Walton Hall and the styled grounds including ‘Jubilee Drive’ and Bath Hill
· St Mary the Virgin’s parish church in Pillerton Hersey.
· Extensive views of rolling Warwickshire country side.
This ride takes you through the classically styled estate village of Walton along the Dene Valley. The route follows the River Dene for nearly 4 miles south of Wellesbourne before the river heads off to its source beyond Kineton in the Burton Dassett Hills. Overall you encounter a very picturesque route through pasture, arable and the styled grounds of Walton Hall. The current Walton Hall dates back to the mid 19th century and was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival style.
You will pass under an arched bridge of the long closed Stratford Midland Junction railway which once ran from Broom near Alcester to Towcester and beyond. There was once a station at nearby Ettington and British Rail closed the route here in 1965.
Since Pillerton Priors lost its church in a fire in 1672 the Pillertons have been a single parish with St Mary the Virgin’s in Pillerton Hersey being the parish church for both villages. Built of local stone it typifies the parish churches of the area.
Distant views of the Edge Hill escarpment and the greater Avon valley can be seen from the lane between Pillerton Hersey and the ‘Fosse Way’. Wildlife is also ever present with hares frequently seen between Walton and Pillerton Priors and through the winter months south of Walton Hall look out for flocks of Fieldfare.
After passing Walton Hall you enter the tree lined ‘Jubilee Drive’ originally planted by Sir Charles Maudaunt in 1897 and named in honour of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. On your right, up on the hillside known as Bath Hill amongst the trees look out for the restored octagonal Bath House, formerly a retreat of the Maudaunt family where they would picnic and bathe in the icy waters of a Roman style bath. It dates back to the mid eighteenth century and is now operated by the Landmark Trust.
Refreshments
Pillerton Hersey church (Sunday afternoons in August and other occasional times).
Bars and restaurants in Walton Hall.
Library of routes to download as .pdf maps or .gpx GPS files
