Aston Cantlow brings together historical connections to John and Mary Shakespeare and several routes of varying lengths. The differences are specific and useful for planning: a 4.5-mile circular walk from the church takes two to three hours; another circular route is about 6 miles long. The Arden Way runs for 26 miles through the parish. This lets you focus your choice on the route type and time required, rather than treating the walks as interchangeable strolls.
Shakespeare history and historic buildings
According to documented local tradition, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden married in 1557 at Aston Cantlow church. John and Mary signed the legal documents confirming their marriage at Aston Cantlow Guild Hall. St John’s Church, where the wedding is said to have taken place, is opposite the hall. The two buildings therefore represent different connections to the same story.
Aston Cantlow Village Hall also has a historic connection: its front is a 16th-century guild hall. The King’s Head Inn is also a 16th-century building; it was partly rebuilt and extended in the 19th century. Together, the church, Guild Hall, Village Hall and inn offer different points of reference for understanding village life and its architectural history. When considering their history, it is worth distinguishing between the individual places and their different stories.
Circular walks and longer routes
The “Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare” route links Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow and Billesley. Its two circular walks run mostly along public footpaths. One 4.5-mile loop starts and ends at Aston Cantlow church; it is estimated to take two to three hours. A second 4.5-mile loop starts at Island Meadow Caravan Park in Aston Cantlow and goes through the surrounding area. The routes are the same length but have different starting points.
The circular walk of about 6 miles starts and ends at The King’s Head. From there, it goes via Newnham, along the canal to Wootton Wawen, then returns to Aston Cantlow along the river. Compared with the 4.5-mile loops, this route is longer and has its own clearly described sequence of places and route sections. Check the path conditions before setting out on the walks.
The 26-mile Arden Way, which runs through the parish of Aston Cantlow, offers a different scale. It is not described as a circular route; its scale differs considerably from that of the shorter local loops. At parish level, Aston Cantlow is bounded by the Rough Hils on one side and the River Alne on the other. These landscape features define the parish’s setting.
Getting there and finding your way
Buses run between Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow and Stratford-Upon-Avon. If you plan to combine your journey with a walk or a visit to the places mentioned, check the timetable before travelling. This is especially useful if you are planning around specific departure times. The village’s history and walking routes can thus be considered as different focuses for your stay: the historic buildings bring the Shakespeare connections to the fore, while the circular walks let you choose according to route length, starting point and route.
Discover more destinations: Little Packington, Ansty, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Wroxall, Halford, Tanworth-In-Arden, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Shustoke
For the main travel guide: Warwickshire.
