Walk 5: Churchill Moat

3.9 miles / 6.3 km (approx  1¼ - 1¾  hours)

Map Walk Five

A walk to the lovely hamlet of Churchill.  The short section of road- walking is along a pretty lane which is usually quiet and has good views in all directions.  The walk passes through a moat which surrounded Churchill Court.  There are no visible remains of the court apart from the moat which is fortunately now dry.  On a clear day there can be wonderful, expansive views from this field.

The remains of the medieval village of Churchill are close to this lane.  Permissive open access has been granted to one of the fields (Cobweb Cottage in the middle), L of the road. Sneachill Farm, Natural England 

Access can be gained via the footpath by the Old Rectory opposite the church.

Old trackway down to the Coventry Arms

1. From the Village Hall go down Church Lane towards the school, L into School Lane then R into Chapel Lane.  Take the footpath L where the road bends R into Owl’s End Lane.
2. After the gate follow the footpath R, round the edge of the field, round L, past the pond then R, over the stile in the corner then straight along the R of the field to Peopleton Road.
3. Cross the road and follow the Bridleway on the R of a field into the next field.  After approx 200m turn L across the field, (the track is not always apparent) towards a small gate in the hedge opposite.  Turn R at the hedge and walk along L of the field to the gate onto Edward’s 
4. Turn R and follow the track to Edward’s Bridge and cross Bow Brook.  Follow the footpath along the R edge of 4 fields.  In the fifth field go through the small gate on the R behind the third garden, follow the footpath behind the garden and R and through another gate onto Edward’s Lane.  Turn L and walk to the end of the lane at the junction between the White Ladies Aston Lane.
5. Turn R and walk along the lane, past Upper Townsend Farm and Cobweb Cottage on the L, round the corners towards St Michael’s church.
6. Go past the Church then R over the stile to join a footpath starting in the moat.  Go up L then along the moat embankment, down the field, over a stile onto a rough track.  It is possible to bypass this field and avoid the stiles by walking along the lane to attractive Churchill Farm, following the road as it bends R-L to a gated track R.  Turn R down the track to meet up with the route described above after a few metres.
7. Follow a Bridleway through the gate L at the end of the track, along the L side of the field. About half way along the field go R (NE) down a slope to cross a bridge over Bow Brook by Churchill Mill.
8. Go straight up the slope, following the footpath to the R of the old hedge line then branch slightly R across the field through a gate in the middle of the field boundary.  After the gate go diagonally up the slope and through a gate in the top R corner to join a track.  Cross over Peopleton Road, go along Holy Oak Farm drive, through the farmyard, over a stile into a field and head towards the school.  Walk along The Furlong and School Lane back to the Village Hall. 

Follow this link to download a PDF of the route with sketch map:    Walk Five Route

 © Hilary Williams