Distance - 6 Miles
Pub - Cottage of Content, Barton
Geocaches - 7
Previous Stages -
Stage 1,
Stage 2,
Stage 3,
Stage 4,
Stage 5,
Stage 6,
Stage 7,
Stage 8,
Stage 9,
Stage 10,
Stage 11,
Stage 12,
Stage 13,
Stage 14,
Stage 15,
Stage 16,
Stage 17,
Stage 18,
Stage 19,
Stage 20,
Stage 21,
Stage 22
The Heart of England Way takes in the Shakespearean villages/hamlets of Marlcliffe, Bickmarsh and Barton and encounters a new type of terrain. For the first time, we have river walking.
Over the Bridge - narrow enough that pedestrians can use traffic lights to request access to cross and along the river bank to Marlcliffe.
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| Bidford C15th Bridge. Yes, Charles I did demolish it in the Civil War |
Snowdrops are out in Marlcliffe, the first indication of Winter's end and the houses may have been around in Shakespeare's time but some alterations have been made.
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| Unsure as to whether planning permission has always been a thing |
From here it's to Bickmarsh - where the only thing present is a huge pig farm - and a circle of the new forest plantations. Occasional views, new Heart of England Way signage and a number of new caches to keep the interest levels high.
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| Heart of England Way - New Signs |
The aim is to arrive at Barton's pub at opening time. The Cottage of Content has
visited relatively recently and I'm delighted to report that its still as lovely as ever. Only change for this years visit was to swap the Old Hooky for a Timothy Taylor Landlord.
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| Guest Ales and a chance to be content in a cottage |
A short walk across Bidford's Hams back along the river and this month's outing on the Heart of England Way is over.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.
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| Bidford Hams |
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| The View from the Bridge |
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