Brirug two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Completed this walk from Brinklow today. A very easy and enjoyable walk which I can't fault. Like a previous review, I wondered why the route diverted away from the canal for a short section, but I agree it does add a little more variety.

The section along the road leaving Brinklow is probably the most dangerous section of the route and is the only reason why I don't give it 5 stars, although it is a very quiet section. I can imagine the towpath of the canal gets really boggy after periods of prolonged rain, so you should take this into account. There are no stiles or gates, although there are three staircases (two of which could be avoided by sticking to the canal at Cathiron), and a few bicycle barriers.

There are a couple of canal bridges to cross, and of course the Newbold Tunnel which only takes a couple of minutes to walk through. After leaving the canal, the route uses a short section of the dismantled Great Central Railway to lead you to a metal footbridge over the West Coast Main Line, and into Rugby town.

This slow way is easy to navigate. Once you are on the canal, you can remain there for almost all of the route, and the path is fairly firm in the summer months. There is only a short section on a road without a pavement in Brinklow which you need to take care on, but the rest of the route is away from roads or through a residential area (on the outskirts of Rugby). There are pubs at either end of the route and one on the canal towpath too.

The section of the Oxford Canal is very peaceful and attractive, generally a very enjoyable walk.

The route leaves Rugby centre via side streets, but takes you past the excellent public toilets before. Joining up with a cycle route, over the current railway and then along an old railway you soon find yourself on the Oxford Canal. The towpath was frozen and firm when I walked it, but it looked like it could get boggy at times. The canal itself is pleasant and popular with boaters. In Newbold there's a pub, which is about a third of the way into the walk. Having gone through the Newbold Tunnel, which I thought about, but didn't use my torch in (amazing acoustics!), you are into the Warwickshire countryside. The path leaves the canal for a section, which I questioned at the time, but it helps to add some variety to the walk, as you follow a track through woods, then have a very short section of lane before rejoining the canal. If you want to avoid the wooden steps and the road, you could just stay on the canal instead. Eventually, by All Oaks Wood the towpath runs parallel to a lane which you can either join or stay on the towpath. There is an exit to the canal at the point where the route definitely follows the lane. You need a certain amount of caution, as there is no pavement, but there is plenty of warning of approaching cars and plenty of space to step into. Finally you come into Brinklow with its stops and shops and a bus service. This route is direct, safe, interesting and easy to follow.

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