Warwickshire’s country parks and greenways
Warwickshire is home to a remarkable network of country parks, National Trust properties and great estates that between them offer over a thousand acres of open countryside to explore - and the good news is that most of them are free or very low cost to enter. It's amazing just how refreshing time spent in the Warwickshire countryside can be: reinvigorating mind, body and spirit in hills and woodlands or beside rivers, lakes and canals.
Whether you're drawn to the rugged ironstone hilltops of Burton Dassett, the ancient woodland of Hartshill Hayes or the atmospheric grounds of a National Trust manor house, the county's country parks and great open spaces offer something genuinely different at every turn. These are places to breathe deeply, to slow down, to let the children run, and to remember that some of the best things in Warwickshire cost nothing at all.
Dogs are welcome at most sites; facilities vary from full visitor centres and cafés to quiet, undisturbed countryside - check individual sites before you travel.
Greenways
Former railway lines converted to car-free green corridors and accessible to cyclists, walkers, wheelchair users and pushchairs, Warwickshire’s four fabulous Greenways are perfect for exploring by foot or on two wheels.
Kenilworth Greenway
Location: Kenilworth to Burton Green
Car parks available in Kenilworth town centre
Following the old railway branch line from Berkswell to Kenilworth Junction, this is now a six mile long peaceful wildlife corridor connecting Kenilworth town centre with Burton Green and the University of Warwick. The fully surfaced, level route passes through a pleasing mix of woodland edges and open countryside.
Today wildlife abounds making this greenway a perfect way to spend an afternoon, whether on foot or wheels. Keep your eyes peeled for birds, mammals, insects and wild flowers typical of the English countryside. Abbey park and Kenilworth are just a stones throw away - you could spend a whole day exploring the castle and town.
Please note, sections of the Greenway are unavailable during HS2 works.
Good for: Cycling, walking, accessible routes, dog walking, connecting to wider cycling networks.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer; lovely in autumn as the leaves turn along the old railway cutting.
Discover more: at Kenilworth Greenway.
Lias Line Greenway
Location: Between Offchurch Greenway and Marton
Car park postcode: CV47 8LJ (Long Itchington end)
The Lias Line passes pretty villages, wildlife reserves, reservoirs and canals following the branch line of the old Lias Line railway route, which closed in 1985 after 134 years of operation. The result is Warwickshire's longest traffic-free greenway running through open countryside, alongside the Grand Union Canal and through the heart of the village of Long Itchington, with its duck pond and welcoming canalside pubs and the delightful Majic Barn Cafe at Tinywood Homes..
As part of rejuvenating the old line, wetland areas have been created and habitats improved to encourage more wildlife. The route also passes Wildlife Trust sites at Ashlawn Cutting and Cock Robin Wood, both havens for rare plants and butterflies. The line connects with Offchurch Greenway, creating a growing corridor of traffic-free riding.
Good for: Cycling, walking, accessible flat routes, wildlife spotting, canal-side riding, family days out
Best time to visit: Late spring and summer for butterflies, wildflowers and the full green corridor; the Grand Union Canal section is lovely in all seasons
Discover more: about the Lias Line
Offchurch Greenway
Location: East of Royal Leamington Spa, between Radford Semele and Offchurch Car park postcode: CV33 9AH (Offchurch crossroads midpoint)
Formerly part of the Leamington to Rugby railway line, while only one and a half miles long, it offers exceptional views across South Warwickshire. Short it may be, but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in character - the elevated former railway embankment puts you above the surrounding landscape, and on a clear day the views across the gently rolling farmland of south Warwickshire are beautiful. Access from Leamington Spa is possible via the canal towpath at Radford Semele, making it easy to combine a waterside ride along the Grand Union Canal with the open views of the greenway itself.
Offchurch greenway provides much-needed routes for connecting wildlife habitats and gives those who travel along it the chance to see a wide variety of local species. The village of Offchurch at the eastern end is a quietly attractive spot with an ancient church, and the surrounding countryside has a peaceful, unhurried quality that makes even a short visit feel like a proper escape. The greenway connects westward into the Lias Line Greenway.
Please note, sections of the Greenway are unavailable during HS2 works.
Good for: Cycling, walking, accessible flat routes, wildlife spotting, connecting to the Lias Line and canal towpath.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer for wildflowers and open views; clear autumn days for long visibility across the county.
Discover more: at Offchurch Greenway
Stratford Greenway
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon to Long Marston, south Warwickshire
Car park postcode: CV37 6GR (Seven Meadows Road, Stratford end) / CV37 8JW (Milcote, midway)
Following the course of the old Honeybourne railway line - a single-track line built in 1859 - this popular greenway covers just over five miles between Stratford and the village of Long Marston. There’s several interesting points on route, from crossing the river Avon at Stannals Bridge, to fine views over Stratford racecourse before bringing you right into the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Greenway provides a corridor welcoming a variety of wildlife. As you follow the route you can spot wild plants and hedgerow - loving creatures. Listen for beautiful bird songs as you walk. It’s a popular commutable route between Long Marston and Stratford for locals as well as visitors enjoying a stroll.
Two much-loved railway carriage cafés sit along the route - Bobby's Café near the Stratford end and Milcote Café towards the midpoint, both of which have been on the greenway for around two decades and are popular with locals and visitors alike.
Bike hire is available at the Stratford end of the route, making it accessible even if you haven't brought your own wheels.
Good for: Cycling, walking, wheelchair and pushchair access, family days out, wildlife spotting, café stops.
Best time to visit: Spring for wildflowers and birdsong; summer for the full café experience; any time for a flat, traffic-free ride or walk.
Discover more: at Stratford Greenway.
Country Parks in Warwickshire
Country Parks offer great expanses of open space, often with views over neighbouring counties - perfect for blowing away the cobwebs
Burton Dassett Hills
Location: Near Southam, south Warwickshire
Car park postcode: CV47 2AB
Burton Dassett Hills are a series of rolling hills rewarding those who visit with spectacular views spanning several counties at just over 200 meters above sea level. With open land, woodland and 100 acres to explore, this is free-roaming walking at its best. Interesting features include the prominent beacon, quarry remains and the nearby 12th century All Saints Church.
Good for: Walking, kite flying, picnics, winter sledging, wide open views, photography.
Best time to visit: Clear days in any season for the views; winter after snowfall for sledging; spring for wildflowers on the grassland.
Discover more: at Burton Dassett Hills.
Hartshill Hayes Country Park
Location: Hartshill, near Nuneaton Car park postcode: CV10 0TE
Hartshill Hayes extends to 137 acres offering woodlands, open hilltop meadows, and panoramic views over the Anker Valley. The woods are ancient and species rich, making it an ideal place for learning about wildlife, nature, and history. Several colour-coded walking trails wind through the site, from gentle strolls to more demanding routes through dense woodland. The hilltop location means the views across north Warwickshire and Leicestershire are among the finest in the county, and the bluebell displays in spring draw visitors from across the region.
Good for: Woodland walking, dog walking, family outings, wildlife spotting, bluebells in spring
Best time to visit: Late April to May for bluebells; autumn for stunning colour in the canopy
Discover more: at Hartshill Hayes Country Park
Kingsbury Water Park
Location: Bodymoor Heath, near Sutton Coldfield Car park postcode: B76 0DY
Kingsbury Water Park has 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of country park created from former gravel workings. The park is now one of the most important wildlife sites in the Midlands, with an extraordinary range of birdlife across its lakes and reed beds throughout the year. Stop in one of the several bird hides to quietly observe the wildlife.
The park has several surfaced paths to walk or cycle (you can hire a bike at the centre). There’s also plenty for children with a miniature railway, café, play areas. Sitting alongside the Coventry Canal, you can extend your visit with a walk along the towpath.
Perfect for families, there are two well-equipped play areas at Kingsbury Water Park. Located by the main car park is Lake View Play Area, which has multiple sections for children of different ages, and a wheelchair swing (please ask at the visitor centre if you require a key for this). Visitors who take the short walk or miniature train trip to Far Leys will find a charming wooden play area in a lovely serene location.
For those who love fishing, Kingsbury Fishery offers 12 landscaped fishing lakes with stock of Carp to over 44lbs, Pike to 25lbs, Bream to 11lbs, and Tench to 8lbs. Day and annual permits are available to selected lakes.
Good for: Families, cycling, birdwatching, dog walking, wildlife photography, miniature railway
Best time to visit: Year-round - winter for wildfowl, spring and summer for nesting birds and family activities
Discover more: at Kingsbury Water Park.
Pooley Country Park
Location: Polesworth, North Warwickshire Car park postcode: B78 1JA
Situated on the Coventry Canal, this 62.5 hectare park contains several pools caused by mining subsidence and woodland habitats. Over one third is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, perfect for nature lovers. The park's industrial heritage is woven into the landscape - the Pooley Hall Colliery became the North Warwickshire Colliery in 1951 and was the first mine to generate its own electricity in the early 1920s, and also the first to have pit head baths, which were opened in 1928.
Today a children's play area, the Pit Stop Coffee Shop and a waymarked trail make it a rewarding family destination with a genuinely fascinating backstory beneath its feet. Younger visitors can enjoy exploring the park through the free Child Friendly Warwickshire Trail. Pick up a trail sheet from the coffee shop and hunt for the clues and colourful paws to reveal a secret word.
Good for: Dog walking, family days out, canal-side strolling, wildlife watching, industrial history
Best time to visit: Spring and summer for wildflowers and birdlife; the canal is beautiful in all seasons
Discover more: about the park and facilities at Pooley Country Park.
Programme of events
There is always something going on across Warwickshire's country parks beyond the simple pleasure of a walk. The ranger teams who look after the sites run a full and varied programme of events throughout the year, from wellbeing walks and toddler nature trails to evening moth surveys, willow weaving workshops and campfire cooking sessions.
School holiday programmes are particularly popular, with rangers leading children through hands-on activities - pond dipping, den building, minibeast hunts and boat making among them - designed to build confidence outdoors and spark a genuine interest in the natural world.
Regular weekly events such as the Wednesday Walks at Kingsbury Water Park offer a gentler, more social experience for adults, combining exercise with wildlife spotting and a friendly chat with the park team.
Booking for most events is through the Warwickshire Country Parks events page, and it is always worth checking individual park Facebook pages for the latest additions to the programme. Full details, including upcoming events and how to book, can be found at countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk.
Discover Warwickshire Country Parks
Warwickshire's country parks are open throughout the year, and each season brings its own rewards - from bluebell woodland in spring to wide skies and long views in winter. Parking charges apply at most Warwickshire County Council sites; check the individual park pages for the latest details on charges, opening times and events programmes.
If it's town parks, formal gardens and hidden green spaces you're after, don't miss our companion article on Warwickshire's Parks and Gardens - from the extraordinary Victorian hedged plots at Hill Close in Warwick to the elegant riverside lawns of Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa, there's a world of smaller green spaces waiting to be discovered.