Coughton Court and Kinwarton Dovecote
Extend a visit to Coughton Court with a gentle walk through the Warwickshire countryside to Kinwarton Dovecote, a rare survival of a 14th-century dovecote.
Map
Start:
Coughton Court Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP083606
1
With visitor reception behind you walk along the drive in front of the house, passing the 16th-century gatehouse and the Church of England Church next to the Court.
Parish Church of Coughton
Church of St Peter built by Sir Robert Throckmorton between 1486 and 1518. This is still the parish church for Coughton and Sambourne.
2
At the end of the drive you will see the Roman Catholic Church of Saints Peter, Paul and Elizabeth on your left. Cross the road into the field and walk diagonally left across two fields to a footbridge and rejoin the lane.
Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church of Saints Peter, Paul and Elizabeth was built in 1853 following the Catholic Emancipation Acts, when the Throckmorton family were free to worship as they wished.
3
Follow the lane for 300 metres and turn right into Church Farm.
4
Pass through the farm and carry straight on until you reach a fork and take the right hand fork leading to a farm building.
5
At farm building turn left along the edge of the field and then turn right, walking along the field edge leading to a left turn into the Industrial Estate.
6
Coming to Estate Road, cross straight over, walk to the end of the road and into the field.
7
Walk up the field hill to join the Arden Way at the top and go through the hedge to turn right.
8
Follow the path keeping to the left and come out on the Alcester/Great Alne road.
9
Turn left and follow road to Great Alne until you come to a right turn sign posted Kinwarton and the Dovecote. Take this road down to farm bearing left towards the Church. The Dovecote is straight ahead.
Kinwarton Church
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Kinwarton built in 1216 and consecrated in 1361, the church was extensively re-built by Reverend Richard Seymour between 1847 and 1850.
10
A small door gives access into the Dovecote, given to the National Trust in 1958.
Kinwarton Dovecote
This rare survival of a 14th-century circular dovecote has metre thick walls, hundreds of nesting holes and its original rotating ladder. It is the only relic of a moated grange once belonging to the Abbey of Evesham. Only the Lord of the Manor was allowed to own a dovecote, and enjoy eating them at a time of year when fresh meat was scarce. But the pigeons would often eat the crops of the Lord and tenants alike, causing much resentment.
11
Retrace your steps to the main road, turn right along the road and back up Coughton Fields Lane on the left.
12
After a farm on the right, climb a stile on the right and follow the Monarchs Way, climbing gently across the fields until you meet a road.
13
Turn left along the road, and after some houses, left again along a track now following the Arden Way.
14
Follow this track for 2 miles, passing newly planted woodland, a private venture to re-plant the Forest of Arden, and Windmill Hill. The track then joins Coughton Fields Lane, turn right along the lane, and right again along the drive back to Coughton Court.
End:
Coughton Court Visitor Centre, grid ref: SP083606
