RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandWest Midlands RegionWarwickshireStratford-On-AvonNapton on the Hill CP
Napton Windmill – Napton Junction Marina loop from Napton on the Hill CP
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomEnglandWest Midlands RegionWarwickshireStratford-On-AvonNapton on the Hill CP
Napton Windmill – Napton Junction Marina loop from Napton on the Hill CP
Moderate
5.0
(3)
22
hikers
Napton Windmill – Napton Junction Marina loop from Napton on the Hill CP
03:19
12.2km
170m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 15, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
607 m
Napton Windmill
Highlight • Monument
Napton Windmill is a red brick tower mill that was built around 1835. It was designated a Grade II-listed building on 7th January 1952.
The mill lay derelict until about 1972 when it was restored, converted into a house and fitted with four patent sails. In January 1976, two of the sails blew off in a gale and were later restored.
The mill lay derelict until about 1972 when it was restored, converted into a house and fitted with four patent sails. In January 1976, two of the sails blew off in a gale and were later restored.
Tip by
2
615 m
Napton-on-the-Hill WWII Observer Post
Highlight • Monument
Commemorative plaque at the side of the lane about 150 metres from the mill.
Inscription on the Plaque reads
“You are welcome to use the seat on this private property at you own risk. This seat and Rowan tree are on the site of the WWII Observer Post operated by the Royal Observer Corps. It was part of a network of observer towers built for the purpose of providing a system for detecting and tracking aircraft. The Blitz on Coventry (to the north of this spot) in November 1940 would have been observed from the tower. Villagers also witnessed the event from the fields. The Tree was planted on the 50th anniversary.
The Oxford Canal is close by and also played a part in the defences of the area in WWII.
Following the fall of France in 1940 a German invasion was considered imminent and part of Britain’s defence system was a network of Inland Stop Lines. The canal around Napton was part of Western Command’s Napton to Coventry Stop Line.
Evidence of these defences can still be found along the canal to the south of this spot. There are still Stent pillboxes on the side of the canal and anti-tank blocks just off the canal.
The support to this country in its desperate hours by such people as the Observer Corps, The Home Guard, The Women’s Land Army and the Agricultural and Horticultural workers who fed and protected this Nation is not always adequately remembered.
So, please take time to sit and reflect on the freedom we have today.”
The Observer Corps
The Corps was awarded the title ‘Royal’ by His Majesty King George VI in April 1941. During the Second World War the Royal Observer Corps undertook the long range tracking and reporting of enemy aircraft.
Inscription on the Plaque reads
“You are welcome to use the seat on this private property at you own risk. This seat and Rowan tree are on the site of the WWII Observer Post operated by the Royal Observer Corps. It was part of a network of observer towers built for the purpose of providing a system for detecting and tracking aircraft. The Blitz on Coventry (to the north of this spot) in November 1940 would have been observed from the tower. Villagers also witnessed the event from the fields. The Tree was planted on the 50th anniversary.
The Oxford Canal is close by and also played a part in the defences of the area in WWII.
Following the fall of France in 1940 a German invasion was considered imminent and part of Britain’s defence system was a network of Inland Stop Lines. The canal around Napton was part of Western Command’s Napton to Coventry Stop Line.
Evidence of these defences can still be found along the canal to the south of this spot. There are still Stent pillboxes on the side of the canal and anti-tank blocks just off the canal.
The support to this country in its desperate hours by such people as the Observer Corps, The Home Guard, The Women’s Land Army and the Agricultural and Horticultural workers who fed and protected this Nation is not always adequately remembered.
So, please take time to sit and reflect on the freedom we have today.”
The Observer Corps
The Corps was awarded the title ‘Royal’ by His Majesty King George VI in April 1941. During the Second World War the Royal Observer Corps undertook the long range tracking and reporting of enemy aircraft.
Tip by
3
1.52 km
Napton Brickyard Bridge No. 112
Highlight • Bridge
Napton Brickyard Bridge No 112 is a minor waterways place on the Oxford Canal (Southern Section - Main Line) between Old Engine House Arm Junction (1 mile and 7 furlongs and 7 locks to the south) and Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (1 mile and 2¼ furlongs to the northeast).
The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Winding Hole below Napton Locks; 4¼ furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is Napton Bridge No 111; 3½ furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Winding Hole below Napton Locks; 4¼ furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is Napton Bridge No 111; 3½ furlongs away.
Tip by
4
2.20 km
Napton Bridge No. 111 (Oxford Canal)
Highlight • Bridge
Napton Bridge No 111 is a place on the waterways on the Oxford Canal (Southern Section - Main Line) between Old Engine House Arm Junction (2 miles and 2½ furlongs and 7 locks to the south) and Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (7 furlongs to the east).
The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Napton Brickyard Bridge No 112; 3½ furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is The Bridge PH (Napton) (Closed May 2016); a few yards away.
The nearest place in the direction of Old Engine House Arm Junction is Napton Brickyard Bridge No 112; 3½ furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Napton Junction is The Bridge PH (Napton) (Closed May 2016); a few yards away.
Tip by
5
3.01 km
Napton Junction Marina
Highlight • Rest Area
This is a pleasant marina that serves the village of Napton-on-the-Hill. The village offers splendid views of the Oxford Canal, as it bends around the hill. It is worth taking a look at Napton Windmill and St Lawrence Church, both beautiful buildings. Close to the marina, The Kings Head is a relaxed and family friendly pub that serves good food.
Tip by
6
3.58 km
Wigrams Turn Marina on the Grand Union Canal
Highlight • Structure
Wigrams Bridge No 17 is a minor waterways place on the Grand Union Canal (Warwick and Napton Canal) between Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) (a few yards to the southwest) and Budbrooke Junction (Junction of Saltisford Arm and Grand Union Main Line) (14 miles and ¾ furlongs and 25 locks to the west).
The nearest place in the direction of Budbrooke Junction is Winding Hole above Calcutt Top Lock; 4 furlongs away.
The nearest place in the direction of Budbrooke Junction is Winding Hole above Calcutt Top Lock; 4 furlongs away.
Tip by
5.10 km
Calcutt Spinney
Forest
8
7.18 km
Lower Shuckburgh War Memorial
Highlight • Monument
War memorial in form of obelisk unveiled in 1921 at gate of St John the Baptist Church, Lower Shuckburgh.
Hornton Stone war memorial in form of obelisk unveiled by Lt-Gen Sir John Keir KCB on Saturday 19th November 1921. (Report in the Rugby Advertiser 25/11/1921 p2). Detailed description of dedication service at the church and of the unveiling ceremony. Obelisk stands on 3 bases. 15ft high and decoarated on the face, towards the top, with a small bronze wreath of laurels. An inscription records the names of the fallen.
Obelisk of Hornton Stone on square plinth and four-stepped base. Bronze laurel wreath on 6 o’clock face. Height 4500mm. Unveiled on 19th November 1921 by Lt Gen Sir John Keir KCB. Inscription: THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ THEIR/ NAME/ LIVETH/ FOR/ EVERMORE/ (NAMES)
8 names are recorded.
Hornton Stone war memorial in form of obelisk unveiled by Lt-Gen Sir John Keir KCB on Saturday 19th November 1921. (Report in the Rugby Advertiser 25/11/1921 p2). Detailed description of dedication service at the church and of the unveiling ceremony. Obelisk stands on 3 bases. 15ft high and decoarated on the face, towards the top, with a small bronze wreath of laurels. An inscription records the names of the fallen.
Obelisk of Hornton Stone on square plinth and four-stepped base. Bronze laurel wreath on 6 o’clock face. Height 4500mm. Unveiled on 19th November 1921 by Lt Gen Sir John Keir KCB. Inscription: THE/ GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1918/ THEIR/ NAME/ LIVETH/ FOR/ EVERMORE/ (NAMES)
8 names are recorded.
Tip by
9
7.20 km
Church of Saint John the Baptist, Lower Shuckburgh
Highlight • Monument
Lower Shuckburgh is a lovely little village just of the Oxford Canal in rural Warwickshire. Its biggest attraction is the Church of Saint John the Baptist and its gothic stylings. Built in 1864, the church is now Grade II-listed. Particularly poignant is the 15-foot (5 m) war memorial, built in 1921 of Hornton stone.
Tip by
B
12.2 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.11 km
3.32 km
1.88 km
536 m
331 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
9.39 km
1.73 km
703 m
306 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Highest point (200 m)
Lowest point (90 m)
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Weather
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Monday 25 May
32°C
16°C
60 %
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Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h
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