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

Coleshill green walk

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.

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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.

All Saints Church

You can discover many of the trials and tribulations of Coleshill's Pleydell-Bouverie family within this handsome medieval church, a part of which is late Norman. The family tombs and memorials offer a snapshot of their lives through the ages: the wrath of Cromwell's men, who are thought to have removed one tomb and defaced another; there's a moving tribute to a much loved mother lost in childbirth aged just 26; and there's a stained glass window of St George, in memory of Jacob Edward, or 'Ted', who died during the Second World War.

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.

Coleshill Park

In 1748, Sir Mark Pleydell's only daughter, Harriet, married William Bouverie. Despite owning numerous estates, the couple decided to make Coleshill their home and the parkland was planted to complement the house. Harriet tragically died in childbirth, but William, who was now Lord Pleydell-Bouverie of Coleshill, was created Earl of Radnor in 1765. Later that century, the parkland was refashioned in the style of Capability Brown.

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.

The Guard House

Only a few clues remain in the village of its vital role during the Second World War. Coleshill House, which was the secret headquarters of the British Resistance, or Auxiliary Unit, was lost to fire in 1952, but the restored Guard House offers a sneak peak of what life was like living under the threat of invasion. Find out about Churchill's secret army, their training and bravery, and listen to the memories of some of the courageous men who trained here.

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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Coleshill, near Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7PT

01793762209

buscotandcoleshill@nationaltrust.org.uk

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