There are approximately 12 miles (20 kilometres) of public footpaths within the Long Itchington Parish boundary. These are recorded on a map (the ‘Definitive Map’) that is kept by Warwickshire County Council.
All public footpaths in the area are marked on the Ordnance Survey ‘Explorer’ series (maps 221 and 222).
For information about how to buy copies of these and other maps visit: shop.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk
In addition, you may like a copy of the pictorial map of Long Itchington created by a village artist to show local footpaths and other features. High quality A3 prints are available from local pubs, shops and the Community Centre. Alternatively ask Brian Smith, the Volunteer Footpath Group Leader, (see Contacts and Information section below) for your copy. Prints are free thanks to generous support from CEMEX.
Each footpath on the Definitive Map has a code (SM2, SM3, SM5 etc.) and brief descriptions of some of the main routes are given below:
Jubilee Way (SM2) passing through allotments in the heart of the village.
SM2
Runs between The Limes Croft, Church Road through the heart of the village and on to Stonebridge Lane via Short Lane and Whitehall Farm. In 2011 part of the footpath in the village centre was named ‘Jubilee Way’ to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
SM3
Runs between The Green at Church Road near the Pond towards the end of Thorn Way and then through open fields, across a timber footbridge over a stream. The footpath ends at the Southam Road bridge over the Grand Union Canal (linking with the towpath) by the Two Boats Public House.
SM5
Runs through beautiful pastureland between Bascote Road (just over the roadbridge) to Stonebridge Lane following the river. A branch (SM5a) runs up the hill, away from the village towards Bascote and crosses the disused railway line (part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network) before heading off across open fields to rejoin Bascote Road close to the canal bridge.
SM8
This footpath starts by the entrance to Marton Road Farm on the main A423 and heads towards Birdingbury. It crosses open fields before leaving our Parish (where it becomes R220 on the Definitive Map) and going through the middle of Allotment Gardens. It then joins the road between the A423 and Birdingbury about 200m from the edge of the village.
SM9 and 9a
SM9 links Marton Road to Collingham Lane to the east. Start along SM9a that runs from Brakeley Cottages, opposite the Pond. Heading up the hill SM9 branches to the right towards Collingham Lane whilst SM9 continues across open fields before it ends at Debdale Wood (there is no through route beyond this point).
SM10
From the Allotment Gardens on Collingham Lane this footpath crosses open fields and then follows three sides of Fox Covert Spinney before coming to an end (there is no through route beyond this point).
SM19 and 19a
Starting in Ufton village, SM19 heads east towards Southam following the southern edge of Long Itchington Wood before crossing the Long Itchington parish boundary at the edge of Bascote Heath. Crossing Bascote Heath Road the footpath continues over open fields towards Stoney Thorpe Hall. Just before the Hall the footpath is crossed by SM24 which runs north to Bascote and south to Harbury. Continuing on towards Southam and leaving Long Itchington parish again, SM19 branches into two: the northern path (SM19) travels on to the western edge of Southam linking to Welsh Road West via SM180 whilst the southern branch (SM19a) passes the ancient Holy Well (for more information visit southamcouncil-warks.gov.uk/pdfs/walk-holywell.pdf ) before ending at Warwick Road.