Skip to content
White haired dog standing in river shallows amidst reeds
Dog on the Arden Way and River Arrow Walk, Warwickshire | © Alan Green
Warwickshire

Arden Way and River Arrow dog walk

This gentle walk, starting from Coughton Court car park, is perfect for both dogs and their walkers. It runs alongside a stretch of the River Arrow, a tributary of the Avon, and goes through part of the Heart of England Forest – a charity project aimed at regenerating English woodland after centuries of decline.

Flooding

Much of this trail runs beside a river, and is therefore prone to flooding in wet weather. Sensible footwear is advised. Please exercise caution near the water.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Car park, Coughton Court, grid ref: SP083606

Step 1

From the welcome centre, walk back to the overflow car park across the bridge. Turn right and walk halfway through the car park until you see a wide gate on the left. Go through the gate and bear left across the field towards a wide metal gate with a National Trust signpost beside it. Go through the kissing gate and onto the Arden Way.

Step 2

With the hedge on your left, walk along the edge of the field to the corner, turn right and after a few metres go through a metal gate on your left. Continue diagonally across the field to another kissing gate. You'll see an Arden Way signpost.

Step 3

Enter Haydon Way Wood, part of the Heart of England Forest, and take the right-hand fork past the bench which will be on your right side. Continue until you reach the gate and then cross the bridge. At the end of the bridge turn right, go through the gate and follow the river downstream. A large farmhouse will be on your left.

Step 4

Go through the gate and up the steps to the next gate. Follow the river to another gate, go through and continue to follow the river. At the fork, go right nearest to the river and follow it round. On the right there will be a small wooden plank bridge to cross in to the next field. At the fork, go right and cross over the next wooden bridge and continue straight ahead.

Step 5

Go through the next gate, turn left and continue towards the wood. Once in Timm's Grove (a bluebell wood) turn right and continue on a circular route until you arrive back at the entrance gate.

Step 6

Go through the gate, turn left and head diagonally across the field towards the bridge. Once you reach the bridge you can either go across the bridge into Coughton or, for those who would like a longer walk or who have a dog, turn left at the bridge, keeping the river on your right until you reach a gate.

Step 7

Go across the field and through the kissing gate onto the stone road. Head straight over the stone road and through the next kissing gate. Cross the field and go through the gate, then keep to the right-hand side of the field. Look carefully for a path down to a kissing gate in the corner of the field. The grass is sometimes long here and the gate difficult to find. An alternative is to turn right along the stone road. This can flood at any time of the year so be cautious.

Step 8

Go through the gate and turn right onto the road. Once you reach the ford cross the bridge, continue along the road and turn right back into Coughton Court. Pass both churches and the house, then head back over the bridge into the car park.

End point

Car park, Coughton Court, grid ref: SP083606

Trail map

Arden Way and River Arrow dog walk, Warwickshire trail map
Arden Way and River Arrow dog walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Visitors starting a walk from Coughton Court, Warwickshire
Trail
Trail

Trail to Spernal and the Heart of England Forest 

This gentle circular walk starting from Coughton Court will lead you through the surrounding countryside taking in views around Studley Castle and Spernal Park. It's the perfect trail for all the family to enjoy time outdoors together.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)
Nesting holes at Kinwarton Dovecote, Warwickshire.jpg
Trail
Trail

Coughton Court and Kinwarton Dovecote trail 

Discover a rare surviving 14th-century dovecote and three historic churches on this moderate circular walk.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)

Get in touch

Coughton Court, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5JA

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Display of daffodils with Catholic Church in background, Coughton Court, Warwickshire
Article
Article

Explore the garden at Coughton Court 

The Throckmorton family created and manages the award-winning garden at Coughton. Highlights include the walled garden, lake, knot garden, vegetable garden, orchard and bog garden.

Close-up of a girl holding a sandwich close to her mouth
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Coughton Court 

A trip to Coughton wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the café and shop. Indulge in a delicious cream tea, pick up a souvenir, or grab your next read from the second-hand bookshop.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

Two young children, one in a pink dress and another in a brown coat and yellow wellie boots splashing in muddy puddles on a footpath, on a sunny day with bright yellow daffodils on either side of the path which seem to glow in the sunshine

Walking in Warwickshire 

From ancient woodland at Coughton Court to parkland packed with wildlife at Charlecote Park, these are some of the best places to enjoy a walk in Warwickshire.

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.