Getting There
Leave the M6 at Junction 1 and take the A426 Rugby, Northbound 1st exit Southbound 3rd exit.
Enter Rugby, and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit, signed Rugby A426.
At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit, brown signed Brownsover Hall, into Brownsover Lane. Pass a hotel on the right and the entrance to the car park is on the right hand side.
Return to M6 Junction 1
Leave the car park and turn immediately right at the top of the slope, and then left onto the main road, signed M6, M1
Follow signs at three successive roundabouts to return to the motorway.
Swift Valley Nature Reserve
This nature reserve was opened by David Bellamy in 2003, and unusually also provides space for a trail bike circuit.
Follow the path slightly uphill from the car park to reach a canal bridge and through a gate into the field beyond. If the bikes are active, there is plenty of space to avoid them by walking across the lower part of the field to the next gate, which leads onto a tranquil towpath. This is part of a circular walk, presumably from Rugby, and there is ample distance here for dogs to have a great walk with lots to sniff and explore.
We turned round after 25 minutes of walking, and then followed the blue footpath signs leading slightly away from the towpath into wilder territory. This path is very clearly signed, and returns directly to the car park. In wet weather wellies are essential for this alternate route back.
Facilities
Free parking – 2.1m height restriction. Dog Poo Bin in car park, with free poo bag dispenser.