GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Draycote Water

5 miles (8.5 km)

Enjoy a circular waterside cycle or walk around the delightful Draycote Water Country Park near Rugby. There is a flat 5 mile path surrounding the park's reservoir which ideal for cycling and walking (a section of the path is part of National Cycle Route 41). You can also climb Hensborough Hill for fabulous views of the surrounding area. The park has a visitor centre and a restaurant.
The park is popular with bird watchers and includes a hide and feeding station. Look out for birds including the great northern diver during the winter months, along with kittiwake and small numbers of Mediterranean and little gulls.
To continue your walking in the area you can head east to pick up our Circular Walk Around Rugby. This will take you along the Great Central Walk Nature Reserve and the Oxford Canal.

Postcode

CV23 8AB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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Draycote Water OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Draycote Water Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The park includes a lovely Waterside Restaurant where you can enjoy refreshments after your exercise. There's nice views over the lake from the elevated outdoor seating area.

Dog Walking

Dogs aren't permitted around the reservoir because of the nesting birds and the cyclists. They are allowed in the adjacent country park though. 

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head a few miles south of the park and you can pick up the Grand Union Canal and enjoy another waterside stroll along the towpath. Near here you can also find the attractive market town of Southam. You can try the circular Southam Walk which visits the River Stowe, the River Itchen and the Ufton Fields Nature Reserve. There's also the picturesque village of Harbury where there's a 16th century timber framed pub and a 13th century church to see.
A few miles to the south there's the worthy village of Napton on the Hill. Here you'll find a 12th century church and nice walks along Napton Reservoir and the Oxford Canal Walk. There's also a fine canalside pub for rest and refreshment after your exercise.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Warwickshire Walks page.

Photos

Draycote Water - panoramio (5)

Draycote Water 1

Draycote Water - panoramio

Draycote Water 2

Draycote Water - panoramio (1)

Draycote Water 3

Draycote Water - panoramio (2)

Draycote Water 4

Dracote Water - Toft Bay walkway (1) - geograph.org.uk - 1297476

Toft Bay walkway. A wooden walkway in the north-east corner of Draycote water reservoir, an area described in the guide leaflet as Toft Bay.

Alpaca herd on Toft Hill overlooking Draycote - geograph.org.uk - 671178

Alpaca herd on Toft Hill overlooking Draycote

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Draycote Water.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Draycote Water.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)