A Ramble with Character

A scenic circular wander beginning and ending at The Denbigh Arms in Monks Kirby, linking the historic villages of Pailton and Willey via farm tracks, quiet bridleways, and open fields. It’s just under 8 miles, gently undulating, and mercifully light on stiles — ideal for stretching the legs without testing the knees.

A Pub with Pedigree

With prior arrangement, park at The Denbigh Arms (///widen.poker.sway). This rustic, stone-built pub opened in 1769, back when George III was still new to the throne and trousers buttoned at the knee. It sits opposite St Edith’s Church and takes its name from the Earls of Denbigh — the Feilding family — who have owned the surrounding Newnham Paddox estate since the 1400s. The pub still oozes old-world charm: open fires, historic photos, and a dog-friendly welcome.

Unusual fact: The Feildings once claimed descent from the Habsburgs — yes, the Holy Roman Emperors — thanks to a genealogical “misunderstanding” that lasted for centuries. It was quietly dropped when historians pointed out the family tree had more imagination than evidence.

The Walk

Monks Kirby to Coventry Road

Head down Miller’s Lane, then on to Bell Lane. Eventually the tarmac gives up and the lane becomes concrete. Where the lane bends sharply left, take the bridleway straight ahead — unless you fancy an unexpected tour of the sewage works.

The bridleway leads to Coventry Road. Cross carefully and rummage in the hedgerow until you locate the footpath. Some of the stiles and footbridges along this stretch are shy, retiring types — not well signposted and seemingly ignored by both walkers and councils. A shame, but part of the adventure.

Yews Farm to Pailton

The footpath heads south past Yews Farm and eventually pops out onto the B4112. Cross over and go through the large wooden gates opposite (or the small metal one if the big gates are feeling antisocial). This section is poorly signposted but easy enough to follow.

Continue down the track until you reach a sort of crossroads. Look left for a gap in the hedge (///blurs.suitable.workouts). Slip through, cross the field, and keep an eye out for the exit gate — the waymarks here favour subtle white discs over helpful yellow posts.

Beyond the gate, three fields open up before you, each one larger than the last. At the far end, look for a jitty beside a house. This leads you onto Lutterworth Road at the eastern edge of Pailton. Cross over and head through the obvious gateway onto a friendly, well-walked footpath.

Unusual fact: Pailton once had a windmill that doubled as a signalling point during the Napoleonic Wars. Villagers claimed you could see all the way to Coventry from the top — though this may have depended on how much ale had been consumed beforehand.

Pailton to Willey

The path meanders through fields and skirts Newnham Paddox Park, where it becomes a bridleway. Just after The Kennels (map recommended), you can either continue straight or turn right onto a footpath. Both options eventually cross Coal Pit Lane and enter the tiny village of Willey.

For clarity: Willey rhymes with silly. Insert your own jokes responsibly.

Willey’s Curiosities

Willey boasts St Leonard’s Church, a Grade II listed gem with 14th‑century roots, and the Sarah Mansfield pub. Originally The Plough, it was renamed in the 1970s after the landlord’s grandmother — a rare honour, and one she probably didn’t expect.

More recently, the pub made headlines in 2020 when new owners (of the famously wonky Crooked House pub) gutted the interior without planning permission. Rugby Borough Council intervened, and the village lost yet another local.

Unusual fact: Willey once had a railway halt used almost exclusively by estate workers and foxhunters. Trains would stop only if someone waved a red flag — a wonderfully low-tech request system.

Willey to Brockhurst Lane

The original route heads northwest out of Willey over a rotten footbridge (passable with care), then into a maize field with no obvious path, followed by an unmarked open field. These obstacles are precisely why recces exist.

The path arcs around and meets Coal Pit Lane. Alternatively, you can simply walk along Coal Pit Lane from Willey and arrive at the same point — the junction with Brockhurst Lane.

Fun Fact: Why We Call It a “Leg”

When sailing against the wind, ships must zig-zag — a manoeuvre called tacking. Each straight stretch is a leg. By the early 20th century, the term had wandered ashore and became a general word for any stage of a journey. So yes, you are now on the next leg of your walk — without needing a mast or a stiff breeze.

Brockhurst Lane to Monks Kirby

Brockhurst Lane offers excellent views — this is the highest point of the walk. It leads to Brockhurst, a tiny hamlet northeast of Monks Kirby, then continues into the village itself. Follow the lane until it meets Main Street, keep going straight (resist the temptation to veer off at Bond End), and soon The Denbigh Arms comes into view.

Unusual fact: Monks Kirby was once home to a medieval priory whose monks brewed ale so strong it was said to “fell a man faster than prayer could raise him”. Sadly, the recipe has been lost to time — or possibly hidden in a very smug monk’s diary.