This is an excellent walk taking in the villages of Great Alne and Kinwarton; passes the National Trust’s Kinwarton Dovecot and crosses meadows along the River Alne. But please note there is little by way of refreshment stops en-route so please take a drink with you.
As with all my Alcester walks this one begins at St Nicholas’ Church in Alcester. Adequate free parking is provided close by but please note that parking time is limited in the Waitrose area of The Bulls Head Yard car park. Also note that Alcester abounds with cafes, pubs and shops so please take time to browse on your return.
- Take historic and picturesque Butter St, adjacent to the church. Walk through, out the other side and continue down the hill. Cross the junction, over the river bridge and continue along Kinwarton Rd, pass the parade of shops. Beyond the mini round about you will find a footpath entrance on left into a small wood. You are now on a walkers super-highway, following The Monarchs Way, Ardern Way and The Heart of England Way. Continue through the wood and up the slope beyond. This will lead you to a Trig Point (66m) affording a fabulous view over Alcester and beyond.
- Follow the path through the kissing gate and on over the old railway bridge and into a field. Follow until you reach a lane. Turn left and quickly right. Through the field to the little pond and into the wood. The footpaths go straight on. You turn right on a wide dirt track. Continue up a short rise and descend gently until reaching another lane (Spernal Lane). Turn right and follow the lane to Great Alne. At the road junction go straight on.
- Where the road turns sharp left a couple of welcome chairs are located. Take a break. The house opposite used to be the Great Alne railway station.
- Refreshed, time to move on. To the right of the station house is a lane. There is a hump in the road. This is the old track bed. Go through the kissing gate on the right and follow the path. This is the old railway line following the River Alne to its left. After a few hundred yards the path opens out onto fields. A tall hedge contuse ahead. Turn through the field opening and follow the path across the field heading for the small copse opposite. There is a pond on the left and a couple of gates that open onto a field with a circular building within. This is 14th century Kinwarton Dovecote.
- After checking out the dovecote continue, exiting the field and into the lane. The pretty and medieval church of St Mary the Virgin is to your left. Ignoring the lane to the right continue. The lane narrows slightly downhill. Pass through the gate into a field. Cross the field to a footbridge over the River Alne. Follow the path to a lane. At the top turn right onto a main road. Carefully now, follow the footpath back into Alcester (circa 1m).
- Cross the river bridge into Alcester. At the park on the right, turn right and follow the path. On exiting the park turn right into Malt Mill Lane. This is a medieval street. The houses are all retirement properties managed by Orbit Housing. At the top of the lane, look left and there is the church. Welcome back. Please browse around before you go.
If you check out my blog on this site you will find out why the walk is called “The Emergency Call”. There are also more photos and information.
The Hermit's Cave 