Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Red walk: Coleshill

Coleshill Park in May, The Buscot and Coleshill Estates Oxfordshire — Spring in Coleshill Park | © National Trust / Sue Hicks

Soak up the history of Coleshill on this gentle stroll through park and farmland. Starting at the estate yard, formerly a Victorian model farm, then heading out across parkland refashioned in the late 18th century in the style of 'Capability' Brown, and enjoying the romance of a mock castle. Follow the red waymarkers on this walk.

Near to

Buscot and Coleshill Estates

Start point

The estate yard car park at Coleshill, SN6 7PT. Grid ref: SU235935.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)

Duration1 hour 30 mins to 2 hours

Dog friendly**

*A flat walk following farm tracks and footpaths across fields and parkland. For further information visit the section marked Terrain.
**Dogs must be kept under control at all times. For further information visit the section marked Facilities.

Address
Buscot and Coleshill estates office, Coleshill, Swindon, SN6 7PT
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Swindon station is 10 miles away.
By bus
Swindon to Carterton (passing close to Swindon train station), alight Highworth, 2 miles.
Cycling
NCN45, 10 miles. Regional Route 40: Oxfordshire Cycleway.
By road
Coleshill Estate office is in Coleshill village, on the B4019 between Faringdon and Highworth. From Highworth, enter the village and turn right after the bridge at the bottom of the hill. Follow the road around to the left and then turn left into the Estate Yard.
From Faringdon, enter Coleshill and pass the Radnor Arms on the right and take the first turning left. Follow the road around to the right and then turn into the estate yard.
Dogs
The route goes through a farmyard and fields, where there may be stock, so dogs must be kept under control at all times.
Car park
Car parking at Coleshill estate yard is limited, but free. Please note the car park closes at 4.45pm daily.
Toilet
Public toilets at the estate yard and in the old carpenters yard.
Café
Tea, cakes and sandwiches are available from the Carpenters Canteen (not National Trust).
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
The estate yard car park at Coleshill, SN6 7PT. Grid ref: SU235935.
Stage 1
Park in the estate yard at Coleshill village (please note, this closes at 4.45pm). Turn right out of the estate yard. Enter the park beside Lower Lodge through a gate beside a cattle grid.
Victorian Model Farm
This was once considered to be the height of innovation and efficiency, and greatly admired. Like most cottages in Coleshill, it dates to the mid 19th century – when the Earl of Radnor carried out a major re-modelling of the village. Known as Courtleaze, it was built in 1854, a time of relative agricultural prosperity, making use of the latest practices and technology both in building design and livestock management. Discover more about the Model Farm in our leaflet available from the estate office.
Stage 2
Follow the concrete track for 820yds (750m), turn right towards Waterloo Copse. Go through a kissing gate then straight ahead towards Waterloo Copse. Pass through a kissing gate and continue towards Waterloo Lodge. (Alternatively at the start of this step you can bear right and walk down to the River Cole, rejoining the main route at Waterloo Copse.)
Stage 3
Continue through the stile/gate past Park Lodge and through Waterloo Copse and past Waterloo Lodge on the left.
Stage 4
Continue up the track. When level with Strattenborough Castle, turn left along a permissive grass track path with the hedge to your right.
Stage 5
Follow the track and continue along the edge of the next field to woods until eventually you come to a junction. Turn left and walk through the avenue planted with young lime towards Ashen Copse Farm.
Stage 6
Continue on the track, past Ashencopse Cottage on the right and Ashen Copse woods on the left.
Stage 7
Walk past the farm and immediately turn left. Flamborough Woods are to your right.
Stage 8
At the corner of Flamborough Woods, go through a gate and cut diagonally across a field. Go through a kissing gate into a grass field. Cross the field and go through two gates into Coleshill Park. Return to Coleshill village across the park through two more kissing gates. The site of Coleshill House is above to your right, as you leave the park. (The site isn't open to the public, but can be seen on guided village walks). Turn left at the crossroads to walk back to the estate yard, or turn right and walk uphill 100m to visit the Guard House.
The site of Coleshill House
In about 1650 Roger Pratt designed Coleshill House for his cousin, Sir George. Influenced by Inigo Jones, the Palladian-style property had a lavish interior and ground-breaking design. During the Second World War, it was requisitioned to become the HQ of the British Resistance or Auxiliars. Tragically in 1952, it was so damaged by fire it had to be demolished. Find out more about Coleshill House on the interpretation boards in the car park.
End point
The estate yard car park at Coleshill, SN6 7PT. Grid ref: SU235935.
Trail map
Map route for Coleshill red walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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A view over a wheatfield towards Coleshill village, Oxfordshire, on a summer's evening

Trail

Green walk: Cuckoo Pen

Try this walk for a flat walk along lanes, footpaths through fields and parkland and farm tracks. Delve into the family history of the village's former first family, the Pleydell-Bouverie's, and catch a glimpse of its secret Second World War past.

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

Take a gentle circular walk along the orange route on the Coleshill Estate from Badbury to Great Coxwell Barn to spot wildlife and wander through two picturesque working farms.