Covbed one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route southwards from Bedworth yesterday. I tagged Bednun one onto it to make a good 10 mile walk, so the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction was a great halfway point on the two walks. Even if you only do this walk, the Greyhound at Sutton Stop is still a great place for a pint or a meal.

The walk is predominantly along the tow path of the Coventry Canal, with sections of residential street walking at either end. There are some art installations as some interesting places to sit (photos 6, 9 & 10). Just one bridge with wide steps (photo 12), but apart from that I thought it was a very straightforward and easy route. The city centre in Coventry is reached via Swanswell Park, and has a few points of historical interest as you reach the end. A good route which can be recommended.

A lovely route along the canal, and the change to explore the art and sculpture trail along the way.
Potentially enhanced by starting at the canal basin, although this will add distance to the journey.

Walked 6th May 2021. Dry, cool breeze with intermittent sun. As previously reviewed there is a good tarmac path alongside the canal all the way to Hawkesbury Junction where Oxford Canal and Coventry Canal join. After track changes to gravel but then becomes increasingly rutted although fine for walking. Not so easy for push chair and wheel chair users. There are two bridges (series of shallow steps) to navigate - one in the Stoke Heath area and one at Hawkesbury Junction.

The scenery is varied, a mix of old and new industries, old and new housing developments interspersed with areas of urban vegetation, hedges/trees/rough grassland through the Coventry section of the walk. Some of this was pleasant and interesting but inevitably, given its urban situation, both the canal and canalside were blighted in parts by litter particularly beer cans. However there have been efforts by the Canal and River Trust to give this section an uplift. It is a designated conservation area and there are several areas of access from the local housing estates which are new and well looked after. Several artworks/sculptures have been installed (see uploaded photo). This section was used by quite a few people, walkers, cyclists and scooter users. The only downside was a speeding motorbike which had no right to be on a narrow canal path.

Beyond Hawkesbury Junction the surroundings become more rural. Here the walk feels more like a country footpath ramble, albeit beside a canal.

Overall I think a suitable route for Slow Ways.

This route is mainly along the Coventry Canal towpath. I have walked it many times (during the day - I don't think its suitable for night walking), and it gradually gets more beautiful as you reach the outskirts of Coventry. The section beyond Sutton Stop is particularly lovely. Most of the towpath has recently been resurfaced from the centre of Coventry until Sutton Stop. The photo is from the section just before Bedworth that is potentially muddy depending on the weather. I'm going to do a full survey as soon as I can.

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