Warwickshire

Arden Way and River Arrow dog walk

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

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.

Near to

Coughton Court

Start point

Car park, Coughton Court, grid ref: SP083606

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*A gentle walk, mostly flat but with some marshy sections in wet weather. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Uneven ground; some fields accessed via kissing gates. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome on public footpaths, but not in property. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

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 stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Car park, Coughton Court, grid ref: SP083606
Stage 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.
Coughton Court
Coughton Court has been home to the Throckmorton family for 600 years. This Tudor house stands testament to a family's courage in maintaining their Catholic beliefs during a time of great religious upheaval. From a position of high favour to one of fear and oppression post-Reformation, the Throckmortons were leaders in a dangerous age, helping to bring about Catholic emancipation in the 19th century.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Heart of England Forest
The Heart of England Forest Project was recently assisted to make its first purchase of existing woodland – 186 acres of mainly conifer trees called Coughton Park Wood. These conifers are being felled in stages and the plantation will be transformed into native broadleaf woodland. The aim of the partnership between the project and the late Felix Dennis is to plant and preserve a large native broadleaf forest in the heart of England. Look at the progress as you pass by.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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 | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Visitors on a summer walk with their dog in the ground of Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire

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.