Lifetime of Walks by Derek Harwood

Parked at Tesco Warwick for a breakfast with Ken, before taking the bus to Crackley, a north east suburb of Kenilworth. Very short walk from the bus stop to the start of the 'Greenway', an old railway track, recently converted into a motor free gravel track for walkers, cyclists and horse riding. Long slope from the road (A429) to the flat and recently laid gravel track. We were surprised to see a new wooden horse mounting steps and detailed 'Coventry Way' information board at the top of the slope. Pity the steps are not wider, to allow the structure to double as a walkers seat or bench, ideal for eating the sandwiches. Easy stroll past the Nature Reserve at Crackley Wood, to Burton Green and the bridge carrying Hob Lane. The newly laid hard core soon ended after Crackley Lane overbridge. Just before Hob Lane bridge we passed a piece of wreckage. Close inspection revealed part of a vintage car sub-frame. The exposed electrical wiring was in remarkably good condition. Between Hob Lane and Waste Lane bridges, we came across the only evidence of the former railway route. A railway incline indicator opposite a very new kissing gate and a National Grid Sign, reminding the public to keep to the designated path and away form the electrical equipment. Soon after Waste Lane Bridge, the footpath turn sharp right down the embankment to the fields alongside the Birmingham - Coventry main railway line at Beechwood Village. Surprised to see a red telephone box at Beechwood Farm. Wonder if it still works. The footpath didn't pass the box so we will never know. Walked down Hodgetts Lane, passing the railway tunnel entrance, to Carol Green Village. Continued on the Coventry Way to Benton Green Village. Way sign unusually located at ground level on a twin planked bridge across a short ditch. Benton Green Farmhouse chimney under repair as we passed. Crossed Broad Lane to Hill House Farm, with no hill in sight. Perhaps the house was once owned by Mr Hill. Just after the farmhouse and a few small ponds, we came across a low bank with numerous holes. Swallow nesting holes perhaps? As the Coventry Way turned right (North), we continued ahead (West) passing Blind Hall Farmhouse, to the Meriden Road just north of Berkswell. Here we followed the 'Heart of England Way' to St John Baptist Church and the unusual 'walk-in' War Memorial. Passed the Berkswell Well, Village Stocks and Village Store to the bus stop. Quick rest on Jack Schatz's bench before the wait for the 192 bus service to Coventry. Thought the impressive electronic bus information was faulty when the bus arrived ten minutes late. Weather held good for another fine walk with Ken in the Warwickshire Countryside.

Location:
www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start from Crackley, Kenilworth 429610/273400 , - Finish at Berkswell Village 424560/279105, - via Carol Green Village 425875/278030. (Click on location and use Zoom).

Hazards:
Don't be tempted to stray from the public footpath around Electricity Sub Statons. These places can be very dangerous if recently vandalised.
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	LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD Derek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

	WARWICKSHIRE RAMBLE CRACKLEY to BERKSWELL Thursday 10th April 2008 .........................................Walk No. 712
	Warwickshire Ramble No 17 Total 158 miles Time Taken: 3.5 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Dull & Cloudy 10:15 am - 13:45 pm 6.5 miles 80% Mild Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Horses 11^oC 100% 1% Poor Very Muddy Bank Swallow Nests Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1027.5 mls 931.5 mls 1887 mls 162 mls 1178.5 mls 5186.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Ken Powers Points of Interest and LINKS: Kenilworth Kenilworth Greenway Crackley Wood Burton Green Coventry Way Berkswell Berkswell Village Berkswell Cheese Description: Parked at Tesco Warwick for a breakfast with Ken, before taking the bus to Crackley, a north east suburb of Kenilworth. Very short walk from the bus stop to the start of the 'Greenway', an old railway track, recently converted into a motor free gravel track for walkers, cyclists and horse riding. Long slope from the road (A429) to the flat and recently laid gravel track. We were surprised to see a new wooden horse mounting steps and detailed 'Coventry Way' information board at the top of the slope. Pity the steps are not wider, to allow the structure to double as a walkers seat or bench, ideal for eating the sandwiches. Easy stroll past the Nature Reserve at Crackley Wood, to Burton Green and the bridge carrying Hob Lane. The newly laid hard core soon ended after Crackley Lane overbridge. Just before Hob Lane bridge we passed a piece of wreckage. Close inspection revealed part of a vintage car sub-frame. The exposed electrical wiring was in remarkably good condition. Between Hob Lane and Waste Lane bridges, we came across the only evidence of the former railway route. A railway incline indicator opposite a very new kissing gate and a National Grid Sign, reminding the public to keep to the designated path and away form the electrical equipment. Soon after Waste Lane Bridge, the footpath turn sharp right down the embankment to the fields alongside the Birmingham - Coventry main railway line at Beechwood Village. Surprised to see a red telephone box at Beechwood Farm. Wonder if it still works. The footpath didn't pass the box so we will never know. Walked down Hodgetts Lane, passing the railway tunnel entrance, to Carol Green Village. Continued on the Coventry Way to Benton Green Village. Way sign unusually located at ground level on a twin planked bridge across a short ditch. Benton Green Farmhouse chimney under repair as we passed. Crossed Broad Lane to Hill House Farm, with no hill in sight. Perhaps the house was once owned by Mr Hill. Just after the farmhouse and a few small ponds, we came across a low bank with numerous holes. Swallow nesting holes perhaps? As the Coventry Way turned right (North), we continued ahead (West) passing Blind Hall Farmhouse, to the Meriden Road just north of Berkswell. Here we followed the 'Heart of England Way' to St John Baptist Church and the unusual 'walk-in' War Memorial. Passed the Berkswell Well, Village Stocks and Village Store to the bus stop. Quick rest on Jack Schatz's bench before the wait for the 192 bus service to Coventry. Thought the impressive electronic bus information was faulty when the bus arrived ten minutes late. Weather held good for another fine walk with Ken in the Warwickshire Countryside. Location: www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start from Crackley, Kenilworth 429610/273400 , - Finish at Berkswell Village 424560/279105, - via Carol Green Village 425875/278030. (Click on location and use Zoom). Hazards: Don't be tempted to stray from the public footpath around Electricity Sub Statons. These places can be very dangerous if recently vandalised. Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage

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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2008 Devised: April 2008