There are places where the available path may be off line and strays from the plot or the plot does not follow what’s on the OS map. Here we encounter a large ploughed field and no sign of a path. The path enters a private garden which may be off putting in the opposite direction although a sign offers direction and assurance. Another large field but the path was evident and clear if a little off line. Crossing a minor road we enter another large field with undefined path so follow the plot to locate a short yellow post then continue to a humped bridge over the Ashby canal. As we approach journeys end the path is well walked so even off line it’s easy to follow....

Ken

The path had been made available across the cropped field and the increased elevation offered good views of the village and countryside. Crossing a road a gate leads onto the next path through the edge of a large garden and our path is used to dispose of the vast amount of grass cuttings. Crossing a private track the path should continue across paddocks but it has been illegally fenced along the field edge by the road so offers no short cut and is badly overgrown, I abandoned this and used the pavement which safely links Polesworth to Warton. Here we encounter a large ploughed field and no sign of a path. The path enters a private garden which may be off putting in the opposite direction although a sign offers direction and assurance. As the track turns our path enters and crosses a cropped field but locals walk around the edge so there is no path along the plotted route as we enter Sheepy Magna at the church. Crossing a minor road we enter another large field with undefined path so follow the plot to locate a short yellow post then continue to a humped bridge over the Ashby canal....

Ken

Nice route with plenty of road walking from Polesworth through Dordon, into an industrial park and then finally a nice country section before entering Wood End....

agtaylor123

Ignoring the diagonal path, we turn right along a lane that takes us to Bridge Street where we turn left (or alternatively take the prettier surfaced path left over the footbridges). Eventually we reach Amington Road, which crosses the canal slightly diagonally - we bear right just before the bridge and follow the path out to the pavement, then follow the road straight on (at the railway viaduct the pavement goes one arch further right than the road)....

Hugh Hudson

We need to cross at some point before the railway station, where we follow the side road under the railway then turn right down onto the canal towpath. We turn right onto Bridge Street (or take the path through the park over the footbridges) and right again onto High Street....

Hugh Hudson

There is a second route (Tampol One) which is virtually identical, however this route took me past the shops at the Polesworth end of the route....

Dan Phelan

A lovely SlowWays route which largely follows the Coventry Canal. Urban walking at both ends is very short and simple, and there are pubs, cafes, convenience shops and takeaways with plenty of opportunity for refreshments at the beginning or end of the route. I walked the route in August and the path was completely dry, however in the winter the towpath may become muddy....

Dan Phelan

Polesworth and Atherstone are both lovely towns, and all the middle of the walk is along the canal. I was really pleased with the countryside views afforded from the canal, though, and so I thought this route was particularly picturesque and pleasant for walking!...

mtormey

Coming from Tamworth, I left the canal towpath just before the M42 and crossed to the other side and navigated through the country park on the south side of the canal....

mtormey

A difficult single sleeper ditch crossing contrasts with the convenience of gates. A bridge provides a safe crossing of the A5 then it's urban through Dordon and St Helena to enter Polesworth across Abbey Green Park. The single sleeper ditch crossing has no handrail so in frosty conditions could be treacherous....

Ken

This is a simple easy walk to follow....

Ken

Having crossed the River Anker via the old bridge, there is a short section of pavement to walk before joining the towpath of the Coventry Canal. The surroundings have some variety in the short distance with North Warwickshire countryside around the River Anker and dotted villages....

David Sanderson

The route out of the quiet village of Wood End is straight forward and the footpath which leads down through the fields is easy to follow. Any sense of the countryside disappears as you pass the steel fence of a container yard and walk along the very well maintained footpath. The route into Polesworth is via a footpath and bridge past the Church of St Editha, but it's easy to divert via the stops and shops of the High Street if you need provisions....

David Sanderson

I could tweak the route at both ends using Abbey Park and the footbridge at Polesworth and underpasses and the Castle Park at Tamworth....

Ken

I could tweak the route at both ends using Abbey Park and the footbridge at Polesworth and underpasses and the Castle Park at Tamworth....

Ken

We did have to deviate slightly from the route just north of Wood End where the path was overgrown and again North of the Birch Coppice Business Park where the path was unmarked but we used a nearby track. One of my companions summed it up nicely by saying that the walk was so diverse the miles just flew by. Although she did say that it would be nice if the dog walkers kept their dogs on leads so that everyone could enjoy the walk, not just the dog walkers!...

John Johnson

While a gate at Delves Farm indicated the route of the footpath away from the farm track the enclosed path was seriously overgrown so I remained on the track and found a gate at the other end. Escaping from this, things improved with a walk down the field edge to cross the railway at Overhouse Farm from where a waymarked stile led to a wide clear track and into Birch Coppice Business Park. Crossing the A5 by a light controlled crossing the next footpath was unsigned and not apparent across the field but a short detour offered a track onto which the footpath linked....

Ken

Very nice route, nearly 100% on canal towpath. Easy to follow with pubs and shops on route....

agtaylor123

I started this route in Polesworth. The route through Polesworth is safe and relaxing....

David Sanderson

The first section is quite noisy but you are kept away from traffic before turning left into leafy lanes under the railway viaduct. The only problem I had with Tampol One was the route from the High Street to the meeting place which cuts down a side alley and follows a narrow dark overgrown footpath rather than the clearer footpath across the Green or even better stay on the High Street before turning right (as Tampol Two does)....

David Sanderson

The first section is quite noisy but you are kept away from traffic before turning left into leafy lanes under the railway viaduct. The next section is along relatively quiet side streets past many shops and pubs before reaching the Coventry Canal....

David Sanderson

In principle quite a sound Slow Way, however at SK 2454 0147, crossing the Staffordshire/ Warwickshire border it loses the path and directs you through an impassable hedge. Please use Fazpol Two...

David Sanderson