Introduction to walks around Upton Snodsbury

St.Kenelm's Church, Upton Snodsbury

There are some lovely walks through the countryside around Upton Snodsbury.  Walkers are often rewarded with expansive views alongside interesting evidence of ancient settlements, ridge and furrow, tracks, water mills, buzzards soaring, woodpeckers hammering and active badger setts.  The parish, particularly Bow Wood, is home to several different species of deer. Woodlands are a mass of colour in the spring; firstly primroses sprinkled over the ground which is then carpeted by bluebells, followed by orchids, wild garlic and many other wildflowers.  Later in the year the hedgerows are filled with colourful fruits and berries.

All walks described here are circular, starting and finishing at Upton Snodsbury Village Hall, an easy to find landmark with ample parking space.  They may of course be started at any convenient point.  Walks can be merged for longer outings or cut short if preferred.  Main roads are avoided where possible and road-walking kept to a minimum.

Because the countryside changes from time to time, route descriptions may not always reflect reality on the ground.  Old hedges may be grubbed up and fences removed, new fences installed where there were none, stiles replaced with gates etc.  Route descriptions were as accurate as possible at the time of writing.

All distances and timings are approximate.  All the routes have been mapped in Mapometer, an online mapping tool based on Google maps.  A link to each map can be found underneath each walk title.  The sketch maps, based on these online routes, are intended to illustrate the descriptions.  They should be used as a guide only, preferably in conjunction with the OS Explorer 204 1:25,000 OS map if you are unfamiliar with the area and its Public Rights of Way.

The described routes attempt to keep to the Public Rights of Way.  Please follow the Countryside Code and enjoy your walks.

Abbreviations used:

N: North, S: South, E: East, W: West R: Right, L: Left

The majority of the routes go through working farms and it is likely that livestock will be encountered; including cows protective of young calves, bulls, horses and sheep with new-born lambs.  The land and potential hazards will change over the seasons so some routes may need adjustment to avoid frisky livestock, walking over newly ploughed land or through the middle of fields during harvest.  Some routes cross watercourses which break their banks and become fast-flowing after prolonged rainfall.  At such times parts of these routes may become impassable. 

Since there are many alternative routes, these walks are intended as a guide to help you find your way around the local footpaths and to inspire you to devise your own routes.  Most of the walks are within or close to Upton Snodsbury parish.

Parish Footpaths

Map of the public rights of way in Upton Snodsbury parish:  Parish Map

Long distance paths:

Two long-distance paths go through the parish: 

   The Millennium Way, a 100 mile route roughly East-West 
   St.Kenelm’s Way, a 55 mile route roughly North- South

These paths cross in the centre of Upton Snodsbury, both passing along Church Lane. 

A few local routes

Walk 1:  Broughton Hackett & Froxmere (6.3 miles)
Walk 2:  Wolverton Hall & White Ladies Aston (7.6 miles)
Walk 3:  Hill Court, Huddington (4.9 miles)
Walk 4:  Over Edward’s Bridge & along Bow Brook (3.3 miles)
Walk 5:  Churchill Moat (3.9 miles)
Walk 6:  Libbery & Huddington Hill Farm (4.4 miles)
Walk 7:  A Ramble to Churchill Mill (3.5miles)
Walk 8:  Bow Wood via LIbbery (4.3 miles) 
Walk 9:  A Hike to Huddington Court (5 miles)

Written, researched and all photographs by Hilary Williams © 2016


With thanks to friends who helped with the project and walked the walks