View Along the River Sowe – River Sowe loop from Baginton

02:32

9.71km

70m

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: May 6, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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836 m

A 14th century castle in the village of Baginton, Warwickshire in the English Midlands. It now stands in ruins, and this website is dedicated to those volunteers and benefactors who are conserving what remains for future generations.

The original building is believed to have been constructed on the site in the 11th century, at the time of King Henry I. It was rebuilt as the current castle in the late thirteen hundreds by Sir William Bagot, a distinguished nobleman of the time. He is thought to have entertained many distinguished guests there, including the Duke of Hereford (later Henry IV).

The castle subsequently passed through several hands, and eventually became derelict in the 16th Century. It remains so to this day, but in the middle of the last century excavation work was carried out to expose the remains.

In the last few years there has been renewed interest in the castle. The remains have been consolidated and the whole site opened up to expose other historic features. An education visitor centre has been built, a picnic area added and woodland walks constructed for the many visitors who have visited the castle since it was opened to the public 2009.

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1.83 km

St John the Baptist Church, Baginton

Highlight • Religious Site

St John the Baptist Church stands on a plateau 30m above the River Sowe. It is first mentioned in the reign of Henry II (1154-1189) as a chapel attached to the church at Stoneleigh. Nothing of this chapel remains and the present church was built in the 13th century. In 1285 the first parish priest, Thomas de Dunton, was appointed by the Prior of Kenilworth. The story of the church revolves around 3 families, who held the manor (Ensors, Herthills and Bagots), plus the Bromleys of Baginton Hall. The church is now part of a combined benefice with patrons the Bishop of Coventry and Lord Leigh.

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