This short, two mile, country stroll is for a summer Sunday afternoon, ending as can then with one of Temple Balsall’s splendid afternoon teas. These are now being served in the Old Hall from 2.30pm to 4.30pm until the end of September, except for the third Sunday in July.

Be wary of this walk from October through to early May or even after a wet period in summer, because it be waterlogged and slippery underfoot and impassable without wellies in the final stretch.

The route starts at the Car Park on Fen End Road West, beyond the Temple Balsall buildings. Leaving the Car Park towards the road, the farm track to the right is a public footpath and leads past Temple Farm.

Beyond the farm, the track takes a sharp left turn into and across a field, at the far side of which it passes through a hedge. Turn right immediately beyond this hedge and walk along the edge of the next field until the footpath passes through a gate on the right and
leads into the cemetery area of Temple Balsall.

Bear left up the hill and across the main burial area to exit onto Temple Lane. Turn right and then left onto the B4101. Proceed with care to the entrance of the driveway of Springfield House, on the far side of which you will see a footpath entering a dark hole
in the hedge. Proceed into this.

On the other side, turn right onto a further driveway (be sure to ignore the footpath going straight on into the field). Continue to the gate at the end of the drive and turn left to follow the path between the buildings and the field.

Follow the path down through a copse until it crosses a small footbridge and out towards a prominent stone bridge over the River Blythe. Cross this bridge and follow the edge of the field away from the river and up to the right towards a distant barn.

Continue along this path as it crosses stiles and passes the barn, becomes a road and eventually passes North Lodge at Piercil End. Here a lane leads to the right, down the long hill back to the B4101. Waterlogged in winter, this lane, sheltered from the sun, can be barely passable even through a damp summer.

After crossing the Blythe once more, turn right onto the main road, being wary of the fast moving traffic, and left into Fen End Road West. Turn into Temple Balsall just beyond the school and down the path to the Old Hall for your tea and cakes.

[Follow this route on your with your phone’s GPS using the MapMyWalk App. Bookmark this version to your MapMyWalk account on a PC then follow it using the App on your phone.]