Attractions and Places To See around Spernall - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Spernall, located in Warwickshire, include a mix of historical sites and natural beauty. The area is known for its rural character, featuring historical landmarks like Spernall Park and being part of the Heart of England Forest. Walking trails are a popular way to explore the surrounding countryside and its historical settlements.
Best attractions and places to see around Spernall
- The most popular attractions is Wootton Wawen Aqueduct, a bridge that is an 1813 aqueduct with a cast-iron trough and towpath, crossing the Stratford Road. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II* listed structure, part of the Southern Stratford Canal.
- Another must-see spot is Edstone Aqueduct, a historical site. It is the longest canal aqueduct in England, built between 1793 and 1812. Visitors can expect to see a Grade II listed structure, navigated by narrow, purpose-built ships with hand-operated locks.
- Visitors also love Studley Parish Church, a religious building with a history dating back to a Saxon village. The church, listed as Grade 2*, has an exceptionally tranquil setting and features an unusual mixture of architectural styles.
- Spernall is known for historical sites, natural features, and family-friendly cultural sites. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient industrial activity to stately homes and extensive forest trails.
- The attractions around Spernall are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 upvotes and 40 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Wootton Wawen Aqueduct
Highlight • Bridge
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Edstone Aqueduct
Highlight • Historical Site
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Studley Parish Church
Highlight • Religious Site
From the Middle Ages the village of Studley gradually migrated to its present site around the Icknield Way, now the A435. There is no documentary evidence for why the population shifted. Theories include the Plague or flooding from the River Arrow.
In the 19th Century there was still an inn opposite the church, and a number of scattered cottages, all known as Church End. Now only the church and the manor (on the site of the Norman castle, seat of the Corbucion family) remain. This has given the church an exceptionally tranquil setting.
The church was restored in 1888 and again in 1935, when the 12th century window in the north wall was discovered.
The current Restoration began in 1990. So far the tower and all roofs have been renewed. The church has been completely rewired and redecorated. During the 1997 redecoration the wall paintings were surveyed. Considerable traces were found of medieval paintings, but were too fragile to leave exposed. The windows remain to be restored. The church is listed as Grade 2*. The building is an unusual mixture of styles, with many architectural puzzles.
for walkers there is an opportunity for tea/coffee/cake here while you take in the sights.
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Henley Ice Cream Parlour
Highlight • Cafe
The history of Tudor Dairies dates back to the early 1930’s when two brothers Harry & Arthur Fathers, purchased the Henley milk round and small grocers shop from Mrs Hewins, who had been trading under the Tudor Dairies name since 1893.
They continued to deliver milk in Henley using left over milk to make cream, which was sold in the shop, with butter being sold in the market behind the Nags Head.
In 1934 the brothers began experimenting with ice cream with the “know how” given to them by their mother who used to make ice cream for her shop in Rubery. Originally made by hand the ice cream was sold under the Henley Ice Cream brand.
Word soon spread of this delicious ice cream made only with the very best ingredients, culminating in 1937 when Henley Ice Cream won the premier award, being voted the best ice cream in the U.K.
The shop became ever more popular as the reputation of the ice cream grew and the shop was transformed into a Ice Cream Parlour. By 1938, the number of customers visiting the parlour brought the traffic in Henley to a standstill, requiring the introduction of a uniformed employee to direct traffic in the High Street.
ICE CREAM PRODUCTION CEASED DURING THE WAR YEARS DUE TO LACK OF INGREDIENTS, AND THE PARLOUR WAS USED AS AN AIR RAID POST.
After the war ice cream production continued on Wednesdays and Saturdays only, due to the shortage of Cornish cream, so goats milk was used.
When Arthur & Harry Fathers retired in 1959, the business was sold to Ross Foods, who changed the emphasis of the Company from a small family run business producing a high quality ice cream, to one of a large concern manufacturing bulk products for the Supermarket chains.
In February 1991 the Company changed hands when Ross Foods sold Tudor Dairies to a group of businessmen, but was placed into receivership in March 1997.
It was at this time that it was taken back into private ownership by Cindy and Steve Brittan, who have the ice cream made on midlands farms to traditional recipes using only quality ingredients.
OPENING TIMES
OCT - FEB
MON - FRI:8:30 A.M - 4:30 P.MSAT - SUN:8:30 A.M - 5:00 P.M
MARCH - MAY
MON - FRI:8:30 A.M - 5:00 P.MSAT - SUN:8:30 A.M - 5:30 P.M
JUNE - SEPT
MON - FRI:8:30 A.M - 6:30 P.MSAT - SUN:8:30 A.M - 7:30 P.M
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Coughton Court
Highlight • Historical Site
The house has a long crenelated façade directly facing the main road, at the centre of which is the Tudor Gatehouse, dating from 1530; this has hexagonal turrets and oriel windows in the English Renaissance style. The gatehouse is the oldest part of the house and is flanked by later wings, in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style, popularised by Horace Walpole.
The Coughton estate has been owned by the Throckmorton family since 1409. The estate was acquired through marriage to the De Spinney family.Coughton was rebuilt by Sir George Throckmorton, the first son of Sir Robert Throckmorton of Coughton Court by Catherine Marrow, daughter of William Marrow of London. The great gatehouse at Coughton was dedicated to King Henry VIII by Throckmorton, a favourite of the King. Throckmorton would become notorious due to his almost fatal involvement in the divorce between King Henry and his first wife Catherine of Aragon.Throckmorton favoured the queen and was against the Reformation. Throckmorton spent most of his life rebuilding Coughton. In 1549, when he was planning the windows in the great hall, he asked his son Nicholas to obtain from the heralds the correct tricking (colour abbreviations) of the arms of his ancestors' wives and his own cousin and niece by marriage Queen Catherine Parr (see gallery drawing). The costly recusancy (refusal to attend Anglican Church services) of Robert Throckmorton and his heirs restricted later rebuilding, so that much of the house still stands largely as he left it.
After Throckmorton's death in 1552, Coughton passed to his eldest son, Robert. Robert Throckmorton and his family were practicing Catholics therefore the house at one time contained a priest hole, a hiding place for priests during the period when Catholics were persecuted by law in England, from the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. The Hall also holds a place in English history for its roles in both the Throckmorton Plot of 1583 to murder Queen Elizabeth, and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, although the Throckmorton family were themselves only indirectly implicated in the latter, when some of the Gunpowder conspirators rode directly there after its discovery.
The house has been in the ownership of the National Trust since 1946. The family, however, hold a 300-year lease and previously managed the property on behalf of the Trust. In 2007, however, the house reverted to management by the National Trust. The management of the property is renewed every 10 years. The family tenant until recently was Clare McLaren-Throckmorton, known professionally as Clare Tritton QC, until she died on 31 October 2017.
The house, which is open to the public all year round, is set in extensive grounds including a walled formal garden, a river and a lake.
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Tips from the Community
Ice cream parlour and coffee/tea shop. Queues at busy times.
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The longest canal aqueduct in England is said to be 145m long and was built between 1793 and 1812. The iron canal is navigated by narrow, purpose-built ships and the locks are operated by hand. There is a small parking lot below the viaduct. From there you can take a staircase directly to the canal.
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Quite an unusual, but impressive piece of engineering.
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Edstone Aqueduct (southern end) is a major waterways place on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal (Southern Section) between Yarningale Aqueduct (4 miles and 2¾ furlongs and 6 locks to the northeast) and Featherbed Bridge No 59 (Wilmcote village on east bank) (2 miles to the south). It is at one end of Edstone Aqueduct. The nearest place in the direction of Yarningale Aqueduct is Edstone Aqueduct (northern end); ¾ furlongs away. The nearest place in the direction of Featherbed Bridge No 59 is Edstone Footbridge No 57; 2 furlongs away.
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Aqueduct. 1813 with later additions and restorations of 1960. By William Whitmore for the Stratford Canal Company. Cast-iron trough with integral towpath with cast-iron railings to north, brick piers and retaining walls in English bond with ashlar copings. Railings have stick balusters and moulded handrail and brackets. All carried on 3 piers, those 2 to east are splayed, that to west restored. South side of aqueduct has an attached oval plate with inscription: `This Aqueduct was erected by The Stratford Canal company in October 1813, Bernard Dewes Esqr Chairman, W James Esqr Dept Chairman, W Whitmore Engineer.' Crosses Stratford Road, A34. The Southern Stratford Canal was constructed between 1793-1816 at a cost of £500,000. 13.5 miles of the canal from Kingswood Junction, Lapworth to Stratford-upon-Avon was leased by the National Trust in 1960 from the British Waterways Board for restoration. The National Trust acquired the freehold c1964. Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, County number 132.
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Old information board about the aqueduct, it was built by the Stratford Canal Company in 1813 and is a Grade II* listed structure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Spernall?
Spernall and its surroundings are rich in history. You can visit the ancient Wootton Wawen Aqueduct, an 1813 cast-iron structure that is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Another significant historical site is the Edstone Aqueduct, England's longest canal aqueduct. The Studley Parish Church, with its Saxon origins and unusual architectural styles, also offers a glimpse into the past. Beyond these, explore Spernall Park, a former medieval deer park, or the sites of shrunken medieval and post-medieval settlements.
Are there any natural attractions or forests to visit near Spernall?
Yes, Spernall is a key part of the vast Heart of England Forest, which spans 9,000 acres and offers 58 miles of public footpaths. It's an ideal place for walking and immersing yourself in nature. You can experience dense woodlands and open countryside within this extensive forest.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do around Spernall?
The area around Spernall is perfect for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy walking, running, and cycling. For specific routes, consider exploring the easy hikes around Spernall, such as the Timm's Grove Bluebell Woodland loop. There are also numerous running trails, including the Arden Way Loop, and cycling routes like the Heart of England Forest loop from Alcester.
Are there family-friendly attractions in the Spernall area?
Absolutely! Many attractions around Spernall are suitable for families. The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct and Edstone Aqueduct are interesting historical sites that can be enjoyed by all ages. For a sweet treat, visit the historic Henley Ice Cream Parlour. Additionally, the wider region offers children's farms like Attwell Farm Park Redditch, trampoline parks, and various arts and crafts centers.
Where can I find a good place for a treat or coffee near the attractions?
The Henley Ice Cream Parlour is a popular spot, known for its delicious ice cream and also serving coffee and tea. If you're visiting Studley Parish Church, you might find opportunities for tea, coffee, and cake there, as mentioned in visitor tips.
What is the best time of year to visit Spernall for outdoor activities?
The Heart of England Forest and other outdoor areas around Spernall are enjoyable year-round. Spring offers beautiful bluebell displays, while summer is ideal for longer walks and cycling. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, and even winter walks can be picturesque, though conditions might be muddy. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out.
Are there any stately homes or grand estates to visit nearby?
Yes, Coughton Court is a magnificent stately home with extensive grounds, including a walled formal garden, a river, and a lake. It has a rich history, having been owned by the Throckmorton family since 1409 and playing a role in significant historical events like the Gunpowder Plot. Ragley Hall is another stately home located nearby.
Can I find circular walking routes around Spernall?
Yes, circular walking routes are popular in the Spernall area. One notable route starts from Coughton Court, leading through the countryside, following the River Arrow, and offering views of Studley Castle and Spernall Park. Many of the routes listed in the easy hikes around Spernall guide are also circular.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Spernall?
Visitors particularly appreciate the blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The aqueducts are admired for their engineering and historical context, while places like Studley Parish Church are valued for their tranquil settings and architectural puzzles. The extensive network of walking trails through the Heart of England Forest is also a major draw, offering peaceful exploration.
Is there parking available near the main attractions?
Yes, for attractions like the Edstone Aqueduct, there is a small parking lot available below the viaduct. For other walking routes and attractions, parking is often available in nearby villages or designated car parks, though it's always advisable to check specific locations beforehand.
Are there any specific historical settlements or ancient industrial sites to see?
Beyond the well-known landmarks, you can explore the sites of a Shrunken Post Medieval Settlement at Upper Spernall and a Spernall Shrunken Medieval Village, which provide insights into the area's past communities. An Imperial period quarry site also exists in Spernall, indicating ancient industrial activity.
Most popular attractions around Spernall
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