Henstr three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Reasonable public transport links both at Henley in Arden and Stratford upon Avon (bus and train)Good direct route with no access issues,mainly canal towpath features some interesting viaducts bridges etc(walked on 10th dec 2022)Small sections of towpath muddy generally a good walk taking one almost to the centre of Stratford upon Avon.

This pleasant and tranquil walk involved walking a small section of the route through fields, followed by the rest of it along a canal.

The canal towpath was unsurfaced, but surfaced closer to Stratford-upon-Avon. The muddy section of the towpath was frozen due to cold weather so I found it easy and fast to walk on.

The towpath had a couple of steep and slippery descents closer to Stratford-upon-Avon so approach these with care.

Overall, I would recommend this delightful walk!.

I don't have much to add to the reviews below! I walked this Slow Way with Mary. It was a lovely, scenic and easy to follow route. It cuts across fields and follows the canal for the most part before ending in Stratford upon Avon. I enjoyed seeing aquaducts, quirky houseboats and wildlife on the way (and of course, I enjoyed Mary's company!)

As Ingrina mentioned there were some narrow, and slippery sections when going under bridges to be aware of. Note: if you plan to end your walk with a meal in Stratford - book ahead! It can get very busy.

A very pretty and easy route. I walked this in a group (see other reviews) on a crisp, wintry day and found it peaceful and relaxing. The route is easy to follow and goes through fields and mostly along a canal. It's mostly wide paths so great for chatting.

We started in Henley-in-Arden, which took us first through fields of long-ish grass, so that's where your feet might get a bit wet/cold (depending on time of year/weather). Some of it is muddy (for us, it was frozen so we luckily had no issues), but they usually come in small batches rather than long stretches.

A few stiles that wouldn't work for wheeling or prams, as well as some narrow, steep and slippery sections when going under bridges to be aware of.

I walked this route with Saira, one hour behind the rest of the group due to train delays. We started at Henley on a beautiful crisp, sunny winter’s day. My walking trainers coped with the muddy sections okay because the ground was mostly frozen, but there were quite a few muddy sections, including on the towpath.
It was mostly a very rural route, picturesque through the fields at the start as well as the canal, and there were lovely bridges and aqueducts along the canal. There were a couple of gates, and there were steps at the aqueducts. The towpath going into Stratford was a bit narrow under the bridges, and a bit steep next to some of the locks, and at the roving/changeline bridge, which wasn’t so good in icy weather. So I imagine the route would be difficult with wheels.
We were “followed” by a heron for a while, who kept flying off in front of us, and we also saw moorhens.
It was a very lovely route, and for 80% of the way it was a doddle to navigate.

A really direct and easy route to follow. The largest part is following the Stratford Canal which takes you all the way into the centre of the town. The first sections across fields were easy follow with just a couple of points to check where the path is marked. Nearly all offroad, definitely one to wear boots for. Step access in parts and on the frosty day we walked it, the towpath ramp needed care in parts to avoid slipping. A very pleasant walk with lots of beauty and some interesting history along the canal and at either end of the walk.

I did the walk from Henley to Stratford two weeks ago on 26/11/22. My walk differed slightly from the one given here in that I used the route given in Henstr one to get to the river Alne and the canal.

I did however join the route given here at photo 1 next to the river Alne, and then stuck to the route of the canal into Stratford as is given here. I would definitely recommend this route over Henstr one, even though technically I didn't follow the first section. I'm not sure why Henstr two exists, as it's identical to Henstr one. I can only assume Henstr two is an error.

This route wasn't frozen or dry when I did it, so the muddy paths provided some fun hopping over the worst of the mud. After leaving the Alne before the canal the route takes you through to Pettiford Lane for a very short section of road walking before taking a path (photo 2) to the canal (photo 3).

There are a few steps on the tow path on the aqueduct by Wootton Wawen (photo 6), and the Edstone aqueduct is quite high up, but nothing too bad depending on your head for heights. The Navigation Inn at Wootton Wawen doesn't open till midday, so time your walk accordingly if you want refreshments there.

Walked as a group (with Ken, David, Ingrina, Sumaiya and John; Mary and Saira followed an hour later due to train delays) from Henley to Stratford on a clear crisp wintry Saturday. A direct and pretty walk, mostly on the canal but none the worse for that. The towpath is largely unsurfaced, and consequently a little muddy in places - we were lucky that most of the mud was hard-frozen yesterday.

Leaving the meeting point on Henley's High Street, we walk east down Beaudesert Lane then follow the road right into Alma Close to an area of parkland by the river, which we cross on a bridge and follow the surfaced path onto Prince Henry Road, which leads us to Warwick Road where we go left, following the pavement on the north side. Just beyond the junction with Arden Road we cross the road and take the field path right. Note that at the first farm buildings the path goes through an unwaymarked kissing gate between the farm buildings and the hedge/fence. Beyond the farm we cross fields on an obvious marked line, then follow the river rather more closely than the right of way line - this involves a little detour round a small meander in the river. We eventually reach a large pasture where the route crosses diagonally - there are traces of paths here but there is no danger of damaging crops by picking a direct line across.

At Pettiford Lane we turn right and cross a bridge, then take the unmarked footpath left along the tree-lined edge of a field to reach the Stratford Canal, where we join the towpath (which is mostly unsurfaced and has some muddy sections) and follow it all the way into Stratford. There is a pub just off route by the small aqueduct at Wootton Wawen, Beyond this we cross to the east bank of the canal, cross a longer aqueduct over the river and the railway and pass Wilmcote (which has a pub and a railway station).

On the approach to Stratford the towpath becomes a well surfaced track. In the town a couple of the descents under the road bridges were a little slippery in the icy conditions, and just beyond Warwick Road the towpath crosses to the west/south bank. Just before the basin where the canal joins the Avon we leave it to turn left onto Bridge Street to reach the bench at the Stratford meeting point.

I walked Henley to Stratford on a frosty day. The exit from Henley is good alongside the river away from the busy road. The section of field walking is easy and follows the river edge just off the mapped line. Once on the towpath there is no navigational issue, some sections could be muddy. Safe but perhaps narrow underpasses of busy roads. Wilmcote Village Store would offer requests if required, a five minute walk, turn right at Mary Arden Pub.

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