Baddesley Clinton Heart of England Way countryside walk
An easy walk along country lanes and field paths, taking in Baddesley Clinton, Rowington Church and the Heart of England Way.
Home with history
Baddesley Clinton was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years. The moated manor house includes three priest holes and a wealth of paintings by one of its Victorian residents, Rebecca Dering.
Map
Start:
Baddesley Clinton, start of Church Walk, grid ref: SP201715
1
The walk starts at Church Walk. Opposite the entrance to Visitor Reception, follow the path through the churchyard, go through the kissing gate and follow the gravel drive to the road.
St Michael's Church, Baddesley Clinton
Built of Arden Sandstone from the same quarry as the house at Baddesley Clinton, the church dates from 1305. Many owners of Baddesley are buried here, including Nicholas Brome (d.1517) who is buried standing up just inside the door, as penance for murdering the local priest.
2
Turn right along the road, with Hay Wood on your left. At a junction, turn right along Rowington Green.
3
Take the footpath on your left at a sign for the Heart of England Way and walk across the field to a kissing gate. Head straight across the next field and at the hedge corner look for a way-marked post. Follow the field edge to the right and go through a metal gate. Head uphill, going through a kissing gate at the top and follow a line of mature trees downhill, turning left at the bottom into St Lawrence's Churchyard, Rowington.
Hilltop views
Along the Heart of England Way there are panoramic views of the countryside, which look particularly beautiful in the late afternoon sun (between points 3 and 4 on the map).
4
Follow the path through the churchyard to the road and turn right. Walk along the pavement through the village to reach a lane on your right, signed Queen's Drive. Follow this past Glebe Farm to reach the road.
St Lawrence's Church, Rowington
The church dates from the early 12th century and the top course of red sandstone on the tower came from Kenilworth Priory as a gift from Mary I. The church has six bells, the oldest of which is from 1609.
5
Turn right along the road and then immediately left, along a way-marked bridleway past Lyons Farm. Follow the bridleway, crossing a small wooden bridge, to return to Church Walk and Baddesley Clinton.
End:
Baddesley Clinton, start of Church Walk, grid ref: SP201715
