Exploring the estate at Packwood

Winter gardens glimpsed through the gates at Packwood, Warwickshire — Winter gardens glimpsed through the gates of Packwood | © National Trust/John Bayley

There’s plenty to explore beyond the boundaries of Packwood House. Miles of public footpaths in the surrounding estate take in fields, woodland and canals. Find out more about the places to discover at Packwood and the flora and fauna that you might see along the way.

Walking around the estate

Pull on your walking boots and discover the Warwickshire countryside surrounding Packwood. Take a gentle stroll up to St Giles Church, or head out on a longer walk through the Arden countryside and along the Stratford-upon-Avon canal to neighbouring Baddesley Clinton.

St Giles Church

This village church dates from the late thirteenth century. The tower was built at the expense of Nicholas Brome, Lord of Baddesley Clinton Manor, who discovered the priest ‘chockinge his wife under ye chinne’ and murdered him on the spot. As a penance, after pardons from the Pope and the King, he financed the towers at Packwood and Baddesley churches.

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal

The nearby canal runs from Birmingham’s suburbs to Shakespeare’s Stratford in 25 picturesque miles. The canal is split into a northern and a southern section, the latter restored by the National Trust between 1961 and 1964. The revived canal was re-opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1964.

Walk maps are available to pick up from the new-build on arrival.

Autumn and winter highlights

Flora and fauna

As the nights start to draw in, the leaves crunch underfoot and the evenings get colder, the wildlife is starting to hunker down for autumn and winter. When you are walking around Packwood see if you can spot some of the many species on the estate.

Fantastic fungi

If you are planning on visiting the welly walk, see if you can see any fungi growing on the dead wood and trees. You can also find them growing in the lawns and in the dung of the sheep. 

Have fun seeing what fungi you can spot. Just remember not to touch any of them as some fungi can be toxic.

Winter wildlife

Winter is a brilliant time to look out for roosting birds hiding in the trees on the estate and snuggling up in our outbuildings. Have a look out for our favourite winter friends like the robin who will be feeding on the winter berries in the garden and estate. 

If we are lucky enough to get a light dusting of snow it will be a great time to take to one of the circular walks around Packwood and look out for footprints of the foxes and badgers that live around here.

Spider webs

If you fancy an early morning walk you will really see how many spiders there are. In the woodlands you will see silk spun between trees, in the hedgerows and on the outside panes of the house windows, all beautifully outlined with the dew of the morning.

Bountiful berries

In the winter, holly, ivy and mistletoe bring much needed colour to the otherwise bare trees this time of year. The distinct white berries of mistletoe have been used by pagan druids and recognised for their fertility properties.

Other sights

Across in the woodland nuthatches are a regular sight and can often be spotted climbing up the trees. They are beautifully coloured birds with a little black stripe across their eyes.

Grey herons are often seen standing motionless down by the lake, searching for small fish and amphibians. They look almost prehistoric when they take off and once in the air they are often mistaken for birds of prey.

Look out for squirrels in the woodland, running up and down trees and hiding their nuts for the winter ahead.

View across the lake at Packwood House, Warwickshire, on a winter's day. The trees surrounding the lake are leafless and the sun breaks through the clouds. — View across the lake at Packwood House | © National Trust Images/Abi Cole

Family fun

Ideal for families, don your wellies and set off on an adventure along Packwood’s Welly Walk. There's den building, wildlife spotting, music making and more along the way. The route gets very muddy so, as the walk's name suggests, wellies are a must. The welcome team can point you in the right direction.