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ROUTE 2

Shipston-on-Stour Loop via Halford

Start/Finish	The White Bear Inn, Shipston-on-Stour (SP 258 405)
Distance	24km (15 miles)
Total ascent/descent	255m
Grade	Easy
Terrain	81% roads, 19% off-road
Refreshments	On route: several in Shipston; Farm Shop Bakery (Talton Mill) Short detour: The Halford PH
Parking	Car parks in Shipston (free)
Cycle hire	Chipping Campden or TY Cycles (mobile)
Road bikes?	Will require two detours to avoid off-road sections – the first via Ilmington, the second involving short sections of major roads (A3400 and A429) through Newbold to Halford.
Connecting routes	Routes 1 and 11
Note	Includes one section of bridleway that may be challenging for those new to off-road riding, but it is very short and provides an alternative to busy A-roads, so is worth persevering with.

This is a lovely route in classic Cotswolds territory with some attractive bridleways through fields. The only potentially awkward section of off-road is short-lived, and the A-road crossing between Crimscote and Ettington is straightforward. The historic pub at Halford is within spitting distance of the route partway round.

Head S from the pub, then turn right onto West Street (a two-way road here). Rise uphill then turn right towards Ilmington on Darlingscott Road, rising moderately steeply past a school and out of town (following NCN5).

Cross the A429 and continue along a wide but twisty lane to Darlingscott. In the village, turn right to Blackwell (now leaving NCN5), bending right past some pretty, old buildings.

The quiet country lane junction opposite Blackwell Grange

After roughly 1.6km turn left towards Ilmington at an unusual junction from one minor road to another. Turn left at a crossroads, and left again at an oblique junction opposite Blackwell Grange (a thatched roof barn in some disrepair). This barn may well be redeveloped in the lifetime of this guidebook – at the time of writing a planning application had been submitted to build a wedding venue in its place.

Once out of the village, take a minor road to the right. Shortly after a sharp bend left, cross a road, taking a dead-end lane towards Berryfield Farm. To stay on road, turn left here to Ilmington (see dashed line on map) and then follow signs to Admington and Crimscote. This lane twists and turns until you reach the farm driveway on a left-hand bend. Continue straight ahead along a dirt/grassy track for roughly 1.5km. The track rises up beside fields to pass near a large barn before descending to a country lane.

Turn right here and undulate gently through Crimscote Fields to reach the main village of Crimscote, some distance after the village sign. Bend sharp right and go up a short but steep hill. Bend left past a large estate (Talton House) and keep following iron railings round to the left at a triangular grassy junction. To stay on road, carry straight on here to Newbold-on-Stour (see dashed line on map) and then follow signs to Armscote and Halford. Continue past a farm shop to reach the A3400. Dog-leg left then right over this road towards Ettington village. (Don’t go straight ahead – it’s a hotel driveway.)

Ettington holds claim to fame as the village with the longest connection to one single family, with the Shirleys having owned the manor since at least 1086 (they appear in the Domesday Book). The current Ettington Manor (now the hotel whose driveway you’ve just passed) is thought to stand near the site of a Roman villa, and is reputed to be haunted. Local legend also claims that William Shakespeare often stayed here while hunting with the Shirleys.

Continue past Ettington Business Park and through a wooded area towards the top of the hill. As the road begins to descend turn right onto a bridleway, descending on a wide vehicle track. This off-road section continues for just over 2.5km to Halford village. At a clearing, bend right then left and enjoy a continuing descent on a reasonable vehicle track. This fades somewhat after a dip; continue straight ahead through the fields, heading between two sets of oak trees to a slight summit.

The bridleway to Halford runs between a couple of pairs of oaks

Shortly after this, cross a faint field boundary and descend rightwards. An awkward rut appears on the descent; this section to the bottom of the dip may prove challenging, even in dry conditions, to those new to off-road riding. Should you need to dismount, don’t despair – this doesn’t last at all long! You may have to fight, very briefly, through the sometimes-overgrown vegetation in the bottom of the dip; the way then eases as you rise back to the general field level. Once up this rise, bend left, following the edge of fields. (Do not go straight ahead to descend steeply towards the river.)

Eventually the path splits; bear left and go through a small wooden gate. Bear diagonally right across this grassy meadow, aiming just right of building roofs until you can see a small gate. Go through this and over a bridge across a small stream, now heading just right of a thin shrubby hedge.

Pass through a gate to the left of a white house and turn right onto a residential road in Halford.

Halford has been a major crossing point on the Fosse Way over the River Stour since Roman times. Some sources say the name was originally Aldford – as in ‘old ford’ – suggesting its ancient origins as a Roman fording point. The pub here, now called The Halford, dates from the 16th century, presumably as a staging post for travellers along the Fosse Way.

Continue past the church then go left at the next junction to reach a major road (A429). Cross this into Idlicote Road. Where the road bends sharp left, turn right onto a minor (gated) road to Granby. Stay on this road past an old rusty windmill to reach the edge of Honington village.

Turn right at the T-junction towards Shipston, then take the next left towards Barcheston (by a small green with a very old ‘Best kept village’ wooden sign). Ignore a minor road to the left and rise gently uphill. Pass the entrance to a sewage works and then turn right onto a minor road.

Rise initially, then descend gently to a T-junction on the edge of Shipston. Turn right and continue over the narrow bridge. Continue past a car park to reach the one-way system. Give way to traffic on the right – there is a cycle lane to help you. Turn right onto New Street, and a dog-leg left then right takes you back to your start point.