Trail to Spernal and the Heart of England Forest
This gentle circular walk starting from Coughton Court will lead you through the surrounding countryside. Follow the River Arrow and stop off at the former Church of St. Leonard's. Explore the area and views around Studley Castle and Spernal Park. It's the perfect trail for all the family to enjoy time outdoors together.
Total steps: 9
Total steps: 9
Start point
Welcome Centre at Coughton Court. Grid ref: SP083606
Step 1
With the house behind you, cross over the bridge and continue straight across the car park. Once onto the grass, bear right along a well-worn path. Follow the path towards a metal gate with a National Trust sign beside it. Go through the kissing gate and on to the Arden Way.
Step 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 metal gate.
Step 3
Follow the path which soon runs close to the river. Where the paths diverge, always bear right keeping the river on your right. Look for the footbridge and cross over. Walk ahead towards the former church of St Leonard’s in Spernal.
Step 4
From the church walk along the track towards a road. Turn right along the road. Look out for a footpath on the left and go through two kissing gates. Follow the enclosed path uphill along the edge of fields through plantations of new trees, with a view of Studley Castle on the left. Go downhill to reach a lane with St Giles Farm on your left.
Step 5
Go straight across the lane through a gate and across the edge of a garden. Continue through a metal gate keeping the hedge row on your right. Cross a field towards a wooden gate which has a footpath sign on it. Go through the gate, across a bridge and follow the path on the right. Continue straight on with the hedge row to your right until you reach the road.
Step 6
Go straight across the road and through a gate. Follow the footpath straight on, and across a foot bridge. After the footbridge, bear to the right, heading towards the woods at Spernal Park. Keep the woods on your left and follow the clear path. Stay tight against the woods, including at what appears to be a footpath junction. Keep bearing to the left around the edge of the woods until you see a footpath sign on a post across the path. Go straight ahead along this footpath, and through a kissing gate into a field. Cross this field to another kissing gate and then follow the path over the brow of the field. After crossing another field boundary, head right on a path that will take you down some steps to another road.
Step 7
At the road, turn left. At the farm gate on the left, turn sharp right through a gate into a field and turn left to follow the field edge. As you enter the wood, bear left and then turn immediately right to emerge into a field again with newly planted trees. Keep the hedge on your right and walk along the field edge to a gate leading to an enclosed path and a track.
Step 8
Turn right, following it downhill to a lane, and turn right along it. Follow the lane to a T-junction. Turn right along the road, looking out for a footpath on your left which is almost opposite.
Step 9
You are now on the Arden Way. Follow the route all the way back to Coughton Fields Lane. Turn right along the lane, taking the foot bridge over the river at the ford. Turn right along the drive back to Coughton Court.
End point
Coughton Court, grid ref: SP083606
Trail map
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