The weather looks favourable and this interesting routes combines the countryside with some little pockets of local history. Distance: 61⁄2 miles Starting point: The Thorn Inn, Appleton Thorn. FROM the car park at The Thorn Inn, cross the road to read the plaque about the history of the thorn tree.
Now take the lane to the left of the war memorial. Turn left onto a footpath signposted to Blackcap Road. At its end, cross the road and walk along the left-hand edge of a field.
Turn right into the next road and eventually left onto a path. Walk along the left-hand edge of several fields before entering a bigger, open field. Walk to the post ahead and turn left.
At the road, turn right and walk to Stretton Church. Just after the church, turn right onto a footpath which follows the route of the Roman King Street. (The name ‘Stretton’ means ‘the place on the Roman road’).
Go straight ahead at the parish map to eventually cross one road and turn left onto another by a Janus-headed column. Cross the A49 into Hillside Road. Where the road becomes a drive, cross a stile on the left onto a metalled path.
Cross another and walk along the left-hand edge of a field. Continue ahead up a lane, passing Dennow Cottage on your right and a small green on your left. The obelisk is said to mark the burial place of Oliver Cromwell’s horse.
Go uphill to pass through a sandstone cutting. At the junction the road becomes busier and there is no pavement, so go into Hillcliffe chapel yard and.