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Leave
the car park on Leamington Road (off the A44 bypass), and walk along
the path behind the toilet block.
This
path leads across a narrow road and to another path through to the
main road in the village.
Turning
left here, we saw our first reminder of WW2, an old milestone (London
90 miles, Worcester 21).
The
stone bore the sentence "Defaced under Defence Regulations
1939" - no doubt to avoid giving information to enemy agents.
Cross
over the road to turn right along the driveway signed Public Footpath
The Cotswold Way and Fish Hill Picnic Place.
Walk
along the drive, through a wooden gate and a small metal kissing
gate, then along the left side of the field.
Cross
over a small stream and begin to climb, up to another metal kissing
gate and turn slightly left and head up the middle of the field
to a marker post.
There
are good views looking back over Broadway and through a gap in the
trees towards the church with Bredon Hill in the distance.
Pass
through another metal gate and continue the climb - which is fairly
gentle.
Head
towards the top right corner of the field, to pass the National
Trust sign for Clump Farm.
Go
on over a modern wooden stile, by the old iron gate, and walk with
a fine dry stone wall on the left.
Continue
along the left side of the field, passing a small group of magnificent
old beech trees on up to another stile and the tower is now in sight.
As
we walked along here the wind blew in the trees and there was an
invigorating shower of rain to keep us going.
Walk
on up the next field to a wooden stile and along a fenced track
to pass to the left of Broadway tower.
Turn
right through the tall gate to enter Broadway Country Park to reach
the tower.
Walk
along the middle of the field looking for the red deer which live
around here, and pass our second WW2 reminder.
Reach
another tall gate, go on to the drive way and turn right.
Walk
to the right of the restaurant building to reach a small wooden
kissing gate to the left of a large gate and proceed across an area
of grass, heading slightly downhill now to a stile by a large wooden
gate and on to the driveway.
Turn
right and walk down here to pass The Rookery, and fork right as
the drive divides.
It
soon splits again and we keep straight ahead along a grassy track
while the surfaced drive goes right to a house.
This
leads us down hill to a stony drive and into a small woodland area
to reach a T junction where we turn right - on the left are the
gate posts and entrance route to Knap Bank.
We
walk along a fairly level stretch now with a small wood to the right,
and good views down to the valley on our left and over towards Broadway.
Just
after passing The Ledges we bear slightly left and downhill across
the field and into the woods.
Just
before reaching a large gate we turn left along the track, Coneygree
Lane down the valley.
Descending
gradually we reach the lodge house which is surrounded by a wonderful
display of snowdrops.
When we reach Snowshill Road we turn right, and immediately on our
left is the very old St. Eadburgh's church, the original church
for Broadway, dating from the 12th century.
Mounting
steps are positioned just outside the churchyard gate.
This
ancient church is well worth a visit before walking along the road,
to pass another fine building on the left - Broadway Court.
Broadway
Mill House is also on the left, and on our right is a modernised
farm complex.
Just
past these buildings on the right is the drive to Lybrook Farm and
the footpath sign points us to the right.
Walk
away from the road for about 40 metres as far as a hedge then turn
left.
Stay
close to this hedge until it turns sharp right then keep straight
ahead across the open field to reach a wooden kissing gate.
Continue
straight ahead across the next field to more kissing gates, with
good views to the newer Victorian Broadway Church of St. Michael.
Keep
on to reach a picnic and playground area.
The
path leads between fruit trees and out on to the main street in
Broadway, directly opposite the Horse and Hounds.
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