I set off down Magpie Lane past a couple of nice houses, one brick and one lovely timber framed, black and white farm and then across fields, which were rather flat and boring but pleasant enough. A constant succession of planes went overhead on their final approach to Birmingham airport. Eventually I came to a small lane at Fen End and crossed this to walk along a long concrete farm drive. Again this was fairly flat and boring with not a lot to see in the near distance. Eventually I arrived at another lane and crossing this went down hill across another couple of fields to cross a bridge and planks over a boggy area at the valley bottom.

Lovely oak tree near a ruined cottage before crossing the second lane.

View from bridge over boggy area.

This crossed, it was uphill again slightly and then down to cross a small brook and then a couple of fields to cut diagonally across to some woods. I got lost in these and had to retrace my steps as the path wasn't very marked on the ground. The second time I tried it, I emerged in the right place and crossed another small field to cross a stile to a path running along the back of a housing estate in Chadwick End. After going by garages I emerged onto the main road almost opposite the Orange Tree pub. I decided I didn't really have time to stop for a pint. I seemed to be very tired and dawdling a lot today, not really helped by the lack of interesting features to look at. So I crossed the road and followed more field paths to eventually emerge onto another small lane through some stables. I turned right and then took a lane off to the left eventually taking a stile on the right. This path was quite pleasant and led me alongside narrow strips of woodland to the driveway of Baddesley Clinton Manor. I was hoping to get some good views of the moated house because of the dirth of photographs so far today, but it was hidden mainly in the trees and against the low sunlight anyway so I didn't bother. The house is said to be one of the last perfect Medieval manor houses and has been owned by the National Trust since 1940. It was first built in the 13th century, but much of the present building dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. For 500 years it belonged to the Ferrers family who were staunch catholics. Because of this it has some very ingenious Priest holes, invaluable for catholics in the 16th century.

Autumn clours of the trees surrounding the Manor House.

From Baddesley Clinton I had a choice to make. John Robert's Book suggests an alternative route to the 'proper' route which involves lane walking and is spoiled by the M40 these days. So I decided to take the alternative route and set off around the edge of the Baddesley Clinton Estate on field paths. I eventually came to a stables and walked down the drive to a road. Turning right along this I went as far as The Navigation pub in Lapworth and decided I would stop for a quick pint and to find out the time. It was 1.40 by the time I finished my pint and so crossed the canal bridge and joined the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. This canal was quite a late development and links London with Leicester, Nottingham and Birmingham.

The Navigation Pub in Lapworth.

This section leaves Birmingham via Solihull and after the junction with the Stratford Canal carries on down Hatton Locks into Warwick. It wasn't long before I came to the spur canal which runs between the Grand Union and the Stratford Canals, at Kingswood Junction. I crossed the bridge and walked along towards the busy basins around the Stratford Canal. After taking some photos I started making my way southwards along the Stratford Canal, past numerous locks and unusual white drawbridges and barrel roofed lock keepers cottages. This canal was an early one and starts at Kings Norton in Birmingham, where it leaves the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and has 55 locks on its winding way to Stratford.

One of the unusual barrel roofed cottages found all along the Stratford Canal.

One of the white drawbridges seen all along the Stratford Canal.

Same bridge at the basin, looking North.

More locks on my walk south.

Beyond the M40.

I followed the towpath under the M40 all the way to lock number 30 and bridge number 40 at Lowsonford where I left the canal behind. This small hamlet was pleasant and I took a lane and then field paths uphill towards some more woodland. From this point onwards the countryside started to become a little more interesting and gently undulating. I entered the woods and walked through the thick gloomy rows of pines emerging near a farm. Following the farm track and then a lane and another farm track and more field paths I eventually arrived at the edge of an escarpment overlooking the valley of the River Alne and Henley in Arden, my destination for the day. I followed an old track around the edge of this escarpment and then down and up and over 'The Mount' a Motte and Bailey for the old castle of Beaudesert. The earthworks are attributed to Thurstan De Montford in the 11th century, but were probably constructed in the iron age much earlier.

 

Through the pine woodland after Lowsonford.

Emerging onto the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Alne Valley and Henley in Arden.

Further around the rim of the escarpment approaching the Bailey of Beaudesert Castle above Henley in Arden.

Originally Henley in Arden was two separate settlements. One was called Beaudesert and centred around the old Motte and Bailey castle, and the other, Henley, lay across the small river Alne. This helps to explain the presence of two parish churches. The first one I came to was St Nicholas's, at the base of the Bailey and this is the oldest, founded by the De Montfords in 1170. It still seems to have a Norman arch doorway. Continuing down Beaudesert Lane, I crossed over the river and walked by the other beautiful church of St John the Baptist to emerge on the High Street. St John's church is 15th century and built in the Perpendicular style. Next door to the church is the Guildhall. This was built by Ralph de Boteler in 1448 and is still home of the Court Leet (revived in 1915), a medieval court that was concerned with civil actions within the town, but also ensured that local services ran smoothly. Today it only has symbolic powers, but still appoints a Butter Weigher, an Ale Taster and two Brook Lookers amongst other interesting positions!?

 

St Nicholas's Church, the oldest church in Henley, at the base of the old castle hill.

The Church of St John the Baptist, Henley.

Henley High Street.

Pretty Old Swan pub opposite the church and guildhall.

The guildhall and St John the Baptist church .

I wandered about the High Street looking at the other nice buildings while I waited for my mum to come and collect me and take me back to the car at Balsall Common. I had been a bit disappointed with today's walk on the whole. The early part was flat and boring, just a long series of flat winter sown fields and pastureland. I think my mood wasn't helped by firstly being alone for this section, and secondly being very tired from a late night and too much booze the night before! The canal walk was pleasant enough and the last bit of the walk, as the landscape became more undulating, was more picturesque and pleasing. I am looking forward to the next section, though I'm not sure when that will be? I have managed to walk 60 miles of the 100 mile total all in October!