The Route

Take Bridge Street north east and after 0.25 mile follow the gyratory by going left along Church Street and then left into Warwick Road (after the sharp right hand bend).  Continue straight on and the road becomes Charlecote Road. 

Cross over the A429 by-pass at the roundabout and continue for 1 mile to the Charlecote Pheasant where you turn left at the T-junction. 0.5 mile later, cross over the Stratford Road onto Loxley Lane and follow it as it runs alongside the airfield.  When you have passed the airfield turn right at the Wellesbourne Road.

Continue for 2.5 mile passing Loxley church on your right.  After passing The Croft School turn right at the second cross roads and head down into Tiddington.  In the village you will come to a T-Junction where you turn right.  Continue through Tiddington and after the allotments (on your right hand side) take the left fork into Alveston Lane at the war memorial.  Follow the lane through the village and when you get to the Ferry public house follow the road round to the right and then turn right when you get to the T-junction with Kissing Tree Lane.  Take the next left and continue to the church.  At the church T-junction, turn left and then cross over the Stratford to Wellesbourne Road onto Pimlico Lane.  Just after 0.75 miles you reach the Loxley Road again where you turn left.  Continue straight on for 3 miles back into Wellesbourne. On entering the village take the second right turn into Dovehouse Drive immediately before the Sainsbury’s Store.  Continue past the sports field and turn left into Valletta Way.  At the end of this cul-de-sac the road splits and opposite you on the left side is a footway (you must dismount for this section) leading to an underpass of the A429 ring road which brings you out onto Loxley Close where turning right brings you to Ettington Road.  Turn left to head back to Chestnut Square.

As a diversion on the return to Wellesbourne and if your legs are warm enough turn right in Loxley just before the church (signposted ‘Village Centre’) and go up a very steep climb) and pass through the village.  Just over 1 mile you come to the summit of Long Hill and view point.

Topography

Except for a notable climb each side of Loxley Church (and into the village if taking the option) this is a gently graded ride.

Advisory

Care is needed crossing the roundabouts on the Wellesbourne bypass.

Points of Interest:

You will already be familiar with Charlecote Park and Wellesbourne Airfield however there are plenty of other things to look out for:

·         St Nicholas church in Loxley dating back to 1286 in a prominent position with extensive views beyond.
·         The pretty villages of Alveston and Tiddington.
·         If you do the option, the attractive village of Loxley and at the summit of Long Hill with extensive views out over the Vale of Evesham, Stour Valley, Ilmington and Meon Hills.
·         Long Hill is good for watching the sun set on those long summer evenings.

St Nicholas church in Loxley dates back to 1286 with some earlier Saxon stonework remaining in the north wall.  It sits in a commanding position above the valley below and you get a good view of it as you cycle by.

In the pretty village of Alveston there is no longer a hand pulled ferry over The Avon, however a reminder remains in the pub name which makes a suitable stopping point!

On the return to Wellesbourne and if your legs are warm enough turn right in Loxley (a very steep climb) and pass through the village, at about 1 mile you come to the summit of Long Hill.  From here there are extensive views out over the Vale of Evesham, Stour Valley, Ilmington and Meon Hills.  Watch out for the sun set on those long summer evenings.

Refreshments

Touchdown Cafe (airfield)
Charlecote Garden Centre
Hemingford’s (YHA, Alveston)
The Ferry, Alveston
Connolly’s Deli (Tapas Bar), Tiddington

Library of routes to download as .pdf maps or .gpx GPS files