The Shenington Round from Upton House
Enjoy huge vistas, big skies and the frisson of a historic battle on this 7-mile circular walk through beautiful Warwickshire countryside.
Near to
Upton House and GardensStart point
National Trust car park at Upton House and Gardens. OX15 6HTTrail information
Opening times and local land
All walks start at the car park, which is only open during Upton House and Gardens' usual hours – please check our website for details. The surrounding land is not in the care of the National Trust. Please follow the Countryside Code.
Total stages: 14
Total stages: 14
Start point
National Trust car park at Upton House and Gardens. OX15 6HT
Stage 1
From the main car park, pick up the arrowed footpath by walking towards the pedestrian exit point. Just before the gate, turn right and walk along the wide verge inside the car park, with the fence on your left-hand side. Aim for the fence line and go through the kissing gate set in the fence. Pass through two metal gates on to a wooden stile. Keep the farm buildings to your immediate left-hand side and cross to another kissing gate.
Stage 2
Take the straight path over two fields to Sugarswell Lane.
Stage 3
Cross the lane, take the field gate and proceed diagonally to the left to the far corner next to the field gate. Turn left and follow the track along the woodland edge until you reach a narrow road. Turn left and walk up the road to the boundary, crossing back over Sugarswell Lane, down the track immediately ahead and through the gate.
Stage 4
Continue on down the pastureland following the arrows through Upton Estate. At the field gate turn right and follow the boundary hedgerow along the bottom of the arable field and past the old stone barns.
Stage 5
Picking up the track to the north of the barns and below the woodland turn right to the iron gate. Carry straight on following the obvious field tracks through the gate and slightly heading off to the right past the field jump and upwards to the iron gate on the right at the bottom of the steep hill. Follow the field track along the woodland boundary to the next field gate. Proceed through the gate and head slightly right; keep the metal chimney stack to your left, before heading down to the bottom right-hand corner of the field and through the gate. This area can be very boggy. Go over the narrow bridge and back up the field and through the kissing gate at the top.
Stage 6
Turn right, heading for Shenington, and walk up the road for 300m. You can turn off right when you see the Bell Inn.
Stage 7
After refreshments, carry on down through the cottages to the field gate.
Stage 8
Continue along the stone track, looking to your right at a field bearing the regular ridges and furrows that can sometimes be found on ancient fields. They were created by a system of ploughing associated with the open field system. You may glimpse Upton House in the distance. Continue on to the first of the old airfield runways. You can sometimes see gliders taking off or looking for thermals to lift them higher into the sky. Cross over with caution and proceed along the boundary fence passing over the next runway to the iron gateway at the end of the track.
Stage 9
Follow the track diagonally down the arable land and around the headland to the right of the next field to the gateway. Turn left passing by the stone yard and Sugarswell Business Park on the right to Sugarswell Lane some 400m ahead. Stop for refreshments at Sugarswell Business Park. The Money Bean café is open Tuesday–Saturday. Please check their website for opening hours.
Stage 10
Cross over the road and follow the track to the woodland.
Stage 11
Turn right at the woodland to follow the undulating track along the top of the woodland boundary to the narrow road and cross over. Follow the woodland track all the way to the end and through the iron gate. Note that although this section is not a public right of way, it is open to walkers by permission of the Upton Estate.
Stage 12
You are at the escarpment of Edgehill, 700 feet (215 metres) above sea level and the most north-easterly outcrop of the Cotswolds. A little further on a rewarding view of south Warwickshire unfolds and, if you are lucky, the Malvern Hills some 40 miles away. Look out for gliders from the local club or birds soaring on the updraughts caused by the escarpment. You are also looking down on the site of the Battle of Edgehill. Proceed along the escarpment to the next iron gate and through the woodland passing the paddocks on the right.
Stage 13
At the farm, turn right on to the metalled lane. Viscount Bearsted chose this property for his hunting retreat in the area until he purchased Upton House, which in due course was vested to the National Trust. Notice the old kitchen garden over the road with the interesting but now derelict glasshouses. Follow the metalled lane, turn left at the T junction and at the main road turn right.
Stage 14
Caution: there is no footway so take care to keep on the wide grass verge (you do not need to cross the road). Follow the verge and cross Sugarswell Lane on the corner until you reach the next green and white topped gate on the left with the arrow. Walk along the boundary wall and through the gate. Proceed down across the fields and at the farm you will recognise the perimeter fence of the compound. From there, continue on to the left, back to the car park at Upton House.
End point
National Trust car park at Upton House and Gardens
Trail map
Map route for The Shennington Round walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Edge Hill views walk from Upton House
Amble through arable land for spectacular views across Warwickshire and down to the site of the historic first battle of the English Civil War.
Upton House ley line walk
Trace the ley lines first discovered by an amateur archaeologist in 1921 in this history-packed circular trail from Upton House.
Parkland walk at Charlecote Park
Walk through the parkland at Charlecote Park and take in the scenery, history and wildlife in this tranquil corner of Warwickshire.
Heart of England Way countryside walk
Take in some panoramic views over the Warwickshire countryside on this easy walk, which encompasses Baddesley Clinton, Rowington Church and the Heart of England Way.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Eating and shopping at Upton
Stop by the Pavilion Café on your visit to Upton House and grab a bite to eat, a hot or cold drink and a slice of cake. Buy a souvenir of your visit in the shop, or pop into the second-hand bookshop for a new read.
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.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.
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.
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.
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.