We are the Castle Bromwich Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Brian H
This figure of eight walk begins on the edge of the Compton Verney estate, whose majestic 18th century mansion was rescued from dereliction in 1993 and beautifully restored and relaunched as an art gallery and venue in 2004 by Sir Peter Moores.
From it’s entrance and car park, we cross the busy B4086 into woodland adjacent to the Combrook Leys, a meadow now acquired by the community of this picture-perfect Estate village. Some road walking is followed by progress through lush Warwickshire farmland where we will encounter the river Dene, a butterfly-rich SSSI, and the heavily overgrown trackbed of the long-abandoned Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Junction Railway. Pay close attention and you will notice all these features twice!
As we complete the return middle section of our ‘figure of eight’, we will pass Fossedene Manor and Combrook House, located on the western edge of the village, before re-entering the Compton Verney parkland at the Lower Pool. We will walk beside the B4086, before crossing it to the path that leads through Home Farm, and eventually returns us to the Lighthorne Road and our cars.
There are 2 stiles and 2 barred footbridges to negotiate. Toilets are strictly rural throughout - the toilets and cafe at Compton Verney are sadly inaccessible behind a (£21) paywall. Please pay close attention to the instructions which will lead you to the permissive gate and roadside parking by the Lighthorne Road, that mark the start of the walk.
Meet for car sharing on the service road opposite Aldi on Chester Road, Castle Bromwich B36 0JG leaving at 9am
On Lighthorne Road, descend into a valley, then 100 metres uphill after a bridge, park at the right hand verge, marked by a tree and a permissive gated entrance to the Compton Verney parkland. If needed, there is further (concreted) verge parking a further 100 metres along the road, on the right, marked by another tree and a metal farm gate. If parking here, make your way back to the start of the walk for the leader briefing.
