Tradition holds that the path was used to carry the dead from Stretton-on-Dunsmore to St. Mary’s Priory in Princethorpe for burial. At a time when local parishes sometimes lacked consecrated ground or facilities, such cross-faith routes were essential. Today, although the solemn processions are long gone, echoes of history remain for those who follow the trail.

The Coffin Walk offers a rich mix of landscapes that make it a route worth walking in any season. Walkers cross open fields, follow established footpaths, and at points join stretches of the historic Fosse Way, a Roman road that has cut across the Warwickshire countryside for nearly two millennia. Some sections have an option to walk on the road, so care and awareness are advised, but the blend of terrains keeps the route engaging.

Starting Point

A convenient place to begin is the village green at Stretton-on-Dunsmore. From here, the walk sets out into farmland and gently undulating countryside, connecting you with the rhythms of rural life.

A convenient alternative starting point for the Coffin Walk is from Sheep Dip Lane in Princethorpe. This quiet lane quickly leads you out into open countryside, where the path picks up field tracks and hedgerow-lined footpaths.

Beginning here offers a gentle introduction to the route and provides walkers with the chance to trace the historic procession in reverse, heading toward Stretton-on-Dunsmore while enjoying sweeping views across the Warwickshire landscape.

While there is no single “official” published Princethorpe-to-Stretton route, local Ramblers groups often feature versions of the walk, and their websites are a helpful resource for maps and details.

https://www.rugbyramblers.org.uk

Though its origins are solemn, today the Coffin Walk is enjoyed by ramblers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a peaceful countryside experience. It is not only a path through fields and lanes, but also a path through time, linking the present with the lives and customs of past generations.

Whether under winter skies, amongst spring blossoms, in the golden glow of summer, or framed by autumn leaves, the Coffin Walk rewards its travellers with a landscape that is always changing yet rooted in history.

For those who enjoy discovering stories woven into the landscape, this quiet corner of Warwickshire has a walk well worth exploring.

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A Landscape of Mystery and Inspiration

From Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles to Agatha Christie’s crime plots, Dartmoor’s untamed wilderness has long inspired writers, artists, and storytellers. With its brooding granite tors, windswept heather moorland, and shifting mists, it’s easy to see why. Dartmoor feels like a place where mysteries live just beneath the surface.

But beyond the gothic atmosphere, the moors also reveal a softer, more serene side. Rivers thread their way through open valleys, oak woodlands hum with birdsong, and quiet spots invite visitors to watch the clouds drift across a landscape that hasn’t changed for millennia.

A Landscape Carved by Time

Dartmoor is a land written in stone. Towering granite outcrops rise like natural fortresses, their surfaces painted with vivid lichens that have clung for centuries. Bronze Age burial mounds and standing stones speak of human presence stretching back over 10,000 years. Every track, tor, and circle is layered with history, showing how people and nature have shaped each other for millennia.

The Contrasts of Dartmoor

What makes Dartmoor so captivating are its contrasts. One moment, it’s wild and windswept, shrouded in mist. The next, it’s bathed in golden sunlight, with rivers sparkling as they wind through deep valleys. Dartmoor is both harsh and gentle, eerie and peaceful—a place where mysteries and tranquillity coexist.

A Haven for Wildlife

Dartmoor isn’t just a dramatic landscape—it’s also one of Britain’s most precious natural treasures. Much of the moor is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its blanket bogs, high-altitude heathlands, and ancient oak woodlands provide habitats for rare wildlife, from ground-nesting birds to delicate wildflowers. Dartmoor ponies graze freely, adding to the sense of timelessness and natural wonder.

The Spirit of Dartmoor

To walk Dartmoor is to step into a place of contrasts—wild yet tranquil, ancient yet ever-changing. The weather can shift in a heartbeat, with mists rolling in to transform sunny slopes into shadowy mysteries. When the sun breaks through, wide horizons, purple moorland, and sparkling rivers remind visitors why Dartmoor is considered one of the UK’s most beautiful and cherished landscapes.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning of our journey across Dartmoor. There is so much more to explore—from winding roads with ever-changing views, to villages, historic sites, and natural landmarks that give the moor its unique character.

In the next article, we’ll highlight some of the best driving routes and must-see stops, whether you’re planning a short scenic drive or a full day of exploration.

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