Enjoy a walk along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, Leamington.

Crowds flock to Warwick, drawn by the castle and the attractive town centre, but far fewer visitors make their way to Warwick's close neighbour Leamington Spa, not realising how full of interest and character it is.

And, unlike Warwick, it is not completely encircled by busy roads, so pedestrian access to the countryside remains quick, easy, safe and pleasant. This walk makes use of the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, together with an ancient track known as Ridgeway Lane, to visit the brick-and-thatch village of Offchurch, which claims connections with King Offa of Mercia, who ruled from 757 to 796. If you visit St Gregory's Church you can discover the details of the story and see what may be part of Offa's coffin.

Newbold Comyn, on the edge of Leamington, is a former farm turned country park, with nature reserves, picnic areas, riverside walks, children's playgrounds and much more. A short stretch of the Centenary Way (a 100-mile walk through Warwickshire) links Newbold Comyn to Leamington's most famous attraction, the multi-award-winning Jephson Gardens, with mature trees, riverside walks, pools, fountains and a sub-tropical glasshouse. However, there is much more to see in Leamington, including the Royal Pump Rooms and a host of elegant Regency terraces, squares and crescents.

FACT FILE

Start: Leamington Station, grid ref SP317652.

Length: 11 miles/18km.

Maps: OS Explorer 221, OS Landranger 151.

Terrain: Canal towpath, tracks and field paths, mostly flat.

Footpaths: Mostly excellent, with the exception of one obstructed path (see point two). This can be avoided, if necessary, by using the road instead.

Stiles: Ten.

Parking: If you go by car, park at Newbold Comyn (at leisure centre or country park) and start at point six in the route description.

Public transport: Daily trains, changing at Stourbridge Junction or Birmingham; also possible by bus, most easily via Evesham and Stratford; www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.traveline.info or Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 or Traveline 0871 200 2233.

Refreshments: The Stag's Head at Offchurch; excellent choice at Leamington, including a café and restaurant in Jephson Gardens, a café at the Pump Rooms, a café at Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre and the Newbold Comyn Arms.

DIRECTIONS

1 Go left out of the station on to Old Warwick Road and cross to Tachbrook Road. Turn right after about 50m to join the canal towpath at bridge 41. Turn left on the towpath, going under the bridge. Follow the towpath for about four miles, passing under numerous bridges (not shown on the map).

2 Leave the canal just after bridge 31, turning right on a track (Ridgeway Lane) and following it for nearly two miles, crossing three roads. Turn right on a fourth road, at Hill Dene. Turn left at a crossroads then join a footpath after about 100m at a stile on the left. At the time of writing, it's so overgrown that it's hard to find but it's just after a telegraph pole. Go diagonally right down a long narrow field and cross another overgrown stile in the far hedge, about 50m from the left corner. Continue across the next field, past a hedge corner, then straight on towards a lane.

3 Meet the lane at a hedge gap. Turn left, then immediately right and first left into a field. Walk along the right-hand edge and cross a stile in the corner. Turn left in the next field, then cross into the adjoining field and follow the left-hand edge. Keep left in the next field, then straight on through another. Go through a gap into the next and diagonally left to the far corner. Turn left in the next field and pass to the right of a farm. Proceed along the edge of another field then through a wood, soon forking left at a muddy junction and fording a small stream. Go into a field and keep straight on, to the left of a hedge. Pass Manor Farm and proceed into Offchurch.

4 Make two right turns then take a path on the left. Walk along the left-hand edge of a field then keep straight on at a hedge corner. The path is easily followed now, through fields and parkland, until you reach an unsigned junction. Go straight on to the River Leam. Turn right, soon crossing the river. Follow a track at first, which soon bends right, after which the footpath runs through trees to its left.

5 Cross a cast-iron footbridge and turn right, then veer away from the river, heading towards a mast on the skyline, and you'll soon join a track which leads to a gate in the right-hand hedge. Join a field-edge track, go through a hedge gap and diagonally across the next field towards a wood - this is part of Newbold Comyn Park. Cross a footbridge to the corner of the wood and turn left on a track, which eventually turns right after passing a golf course. Turn right at a nature reserve sign, walking through woodland, then left at a junction. Choose any route through the park (straight on is most direct but there are numerous options) to Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre.

6 Leave the leisure centre using a path/cycleway beside the access road, then fork left to walk through a nature reserve. Keep left, close to the River Leam where possible, before crossing a road to Jephson Gardens, where a sign indicates a riverside walk. Follow it through the gardens to The Parade. The riverside walk continues almost opposite, to the right of the Royal Pump Rooms. Cross the river at a footbridge, and turn left to find Station Approach. Cross over and go straight on along a footpath/cycleway. Turn left at a junction, going through a subway to the station.

9:22am Monday 17th December 2007

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