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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
Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Green walk: Cuckoo Pen

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.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

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

Step 1

Park in the car park at Home Farm. 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.

View of old stone church from graveyard
All Saints Church, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Step 2

Go through the gate into a field and turn immediately right and continue straight on.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 5

Turn right on the track and right again onto the farm drive.

Step 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.

Step 7

Cross the road to Colleymore Farm. Walk through the farm and bear right.

Step 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.

Step 9

Go onto the farm drive and cross the road with the wood to your left. Pass Flamborough Woods to your right.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Grey cinderblock hut covered in graffiti and surrounded by trees and shrubs
The Guard House, Coleshill, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/John Miller

End point

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

Trail map

Map of Coleshill green walk, Oxfordshire
Coleshill green walk, Oxfordshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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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.

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Get in touch

Coleshill, near Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7PT

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