Whitchurch Walkers Route 4: The Belton Bracer

Walk directions

1. Start

   From the Civic Centre walk down the High Street and turn right through the pedestrianised area. Go along Watergate Street, passing Bark Hill on your right, and then into Dodington. You will pass two disused churches, the United Reform on your left and St. Catherine’s on your right where there is an information board. Continue past the Dodington Lodge Hotel and into Sedgeford on the far side of the mini-roundabout. In about 150 metres you come to a cycle track, the Hatton Way.

2. Step 2

   Turn right on to the Hatton Way, which runs between Whitchurch Cricket Ground and an embankment of the old Cambrian Railway. At the far end of the straight section of the tarmac track, turn left and take the path across the field. Turn right up the track and take the left turn at both forks. Take care when crossing the Whitchurch bypass.

3. Step 3

   After passing through five fields you approach the hamlet of Alkington. 

4. Step 4

   Turn left on to the road and then right at the junction 100 metres ahead. Opposite the junction look out for a 19th century VR (Victoria Regina) post box. Just past ‘The Manor’ take the stile on the right of a field gate. This will lead you back to the old railway.

5. Step 5

   Keep to the left hand field boundary through the next four fields. From the fourth field, you will have a good view of the distant tower of St. Alkmund’s, the parish church. The ground now slopes up towards Belton Farm.

6. Step 6

   The route now goes back over the Whitchurch bypass into Belton Road which you should follow all the way to its junction with Wrexham Road.

7. Step 7

   Cross Wrexham Road towards the bus shelter on the far side. Go across the grass behind the shelter and walk along the road in front of the houses. Turn left on to the footpath at the end of this bit of road which takes you between the houses into Meadow View Road.

8. Step 8

   Cross the road and turn right. There is a small block of flats on your left and immediately after them, take the footpath to the left between the backs of the houses for about 150 metres before emerging at the top of Jubilee Park.

   Cross the road in front of you and go through the gap in the railings. You will notice St. Alkmund’s Church ahead of you and St. Catherine’s more distantly to your right. Take the path to the left and when it crosses another path, turn right towards the town centre and the railings round the play area. Follow the path round to the right of the railings and proceed up the flight of steps on the bank opposite towards Newtown car park at the top.

   Turn right along Newtown and at the mini-roundabout turn left into Pepper Street past the Anchor and Red Cow public houses and you are back at the High Street.