Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Green walk: Cuckoo Pen

A view over a wheatfield towards Coleshill village, Oxfordshire, on a summer's evening — A view over a wheatfield towards Coleshill village | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Delve into the family history of Coleshill's former first family, the Pleydell-Bouverie's, during this gentle stroll through the heart of the Coleshill estate. Soak up traditional rural life crossing farmland, before returning through the Capability Brown-styled parkland. Finally, catch a glimpse of the village's secret Second World War history. Follow the green waymarkers on this route.

Near to

Buscot and Coleshill Estates

Start point

The estate yard car park at Coleshill, grid ref: SU235935

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4.0 (km: 6.4)

Duration1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours

Dog friendly***

*A flat walk along lanes, footpaths and farm tracks. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Uneven footpaths with some stiles and gates. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Buscot and Coleshill Estate Office, Coleshill, Swindon, SN6 7PT
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Swindon train station is 10 miles away.
By bus
Take the Swindon to Carterton bus (passing close Swindon train station) to Highworth, which is 2.9 miles from Coleshill.
Cycling
NCN45, 10 miles. Regional Route 40: Oxfordshire Cycleway
For further details, see the National Cycle Network website
By road
Coleshill village is on the B4019 between Faringdon and Highworth.
Dogs
The route goes through two farmyards and fields, where there may be livestock, so dogs must be kept under control at all times.
Car park
Car parking limited, but free, in Coleshill's estate yard. Please note that this car park closes at 4.45pm daily.
Toilet
Public toilet available in the estate yard.
Café
Cakes, tea and sandwiches available at the Carpenters Canteen (not National Trust).
Pub
Pub food available at the Radnor Arms (not National Trust)
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
The estate yard car park at Coleshill, grid ref: SU235935
Stage 1
Park in the car park at Coleshill Estate Office/Carpenters Yard (please note that this closes at 4.45pm). Turn left out of the car park and walk towards the village. Cross the main road and walk down the lane opposite, on the left of the green with the church on your right.
All Saints Church
You can discover many of the trials and tribulations of Coleshill's Pleydell-Bouverie family within this handsome medieval church, a part of which is late Norman. The family tombs and memorials offer a snapshot of their lives through the ages: the wrath of Cromwell's men, who are thought to have removed one tomb and defaced another; there's a moving tribute to a much loved mother lost in childbirth aged just 26; and there's a stained glass window of St George, in memory of Jacob Edward, or 'Ted', who died during the Second World War.
All Saints Church, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller
Stage 2
Go through the gate into a field and turn immediately right and continue straight on.
Stage 3
Cross the stile out of the field, cross the road and continue straight on through the gateway. Follow the footpath along the hedge line down to Fern Copse.
Stage 4
From exiting the woodland follow the footpath up the hill and over the bridge. Then turn left and take the stile about 30 yards along the hedge on the left. This takes you on a diagonal route across the field to a stile in the copse by Brimstone Farm.
Stage 5
Turn right on the track and right again onto the farm drive.
Stage 6
A short cut can be taken after the double bend in the drive, by turning right and passing Fern Copse again and heading to Cuckoopen Plantation, where you turn right to skirt the woods, then enter and return to the village by a woodland track.
Stage 7
Cross the road to Colleymore Farm. Walk through the farm and bear right.
Stage 8
Turn right opposite a cottage and walk up to Ashen Copse Farm. Keep to the edge of the field and bear right to a stile. Continue past with the farm buildings on your left.
Stage 9
Go onto the farm drive and cross the road with the wood to your left. Pass Flamborough Woods to your right.
Stage 10
At the corner of Flamborough Woods, go through a gate and cut diagonally across the field. Go through a kissing gate into a grass field. Cross the field and into Coleshill Park. Continue across the parkland through several more kissing gates.
Coleshill Park
In 1748, Sir Mark Pleydell's only daughter, Harriet, married William Bouverie. Despite owning numerous estates, the couple decided to make Coleshill their home and the parkland was planted to complement the house. Harriet tragically died in childbirth, but William, who was now Lord Pleydell-Bouverie of Coleshill, was created Earl of Radnor in 1765. Later that century, the parkland was refashioned in the style of Capability Brown.
Stage 11
Return to Coleshill through two more gates beside Courtleaze. The site of Coleshill House was above to your right as you leave the park. At the crossroads, turn right and head up the road to the Guard House, before returning straight back downhill to car park.
The Guard House
Only a few clues remain in the village of its vital role during the Second World War. Coleshill House, which was the secret headquarters of the British Resistance, or Auxiliary Unit, was lost to fire in 1952, but the restored Guard House offers a sneak peak of what life was like living under the threat of invasion. Find out about Churchill's secret army, their training and bravery, and listen to the memories of some of the courageous men who trained here.
The Guard House, Coleshill, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller
End point
The estate yard car park at Coleshill, grid ref: SU235935
Trail map
Coleshill green walk, Oxfordshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Coleshill Park in May, The Buscot and Coleshill Estates Oxfordshire

Trail

Red walk: Coleshill

Coleshill's red walk is a great way to get some gentle exercise, starting at the estate yard, formerly a Victorian model farm, then onto a 'Capability' Brown-style 18th century parkland.

Great Coxwell Barn seen in the distance with a blue sky and vivid green grass in the foreground.

Trail

Orange walk: Badbury and Great Coxwell Barn

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