Getting There
Sat Nav: B78 1HW
Leave the M42 at Junction 10 and take the A5 signed Nuneaton. Northbound 4th exit, Southbound 1st exit.
Continue along the A5 as far as the first roundabout and turn left into Long Street, signed Polesworth. Follow Long Street (watch the speed bumps), over a mini-roundabout, and then continue to follow this road to enter Polesworth. Just after crossing a canal bridge the Fosters Yard Hotel is on the left. The large hotel car park is just after the hotel entrance.
To reach the Pooley Country Park (for wheelchair accessible paths) pass the Fosters Yard Hotel and turn left at the crossroads. Cross another canal bridge and then take the first turning to the right, brown signed Pooley Country Park, and this lane leads directly to the car park at the country park and mining heritage centre.
Return to M42 Junction 10
From Pooley Country Park. Exit the car park and continue as far as the T-junction. Turn left, and then right into Market Street.
From the Fosters Yard Hotel, exit the car park and turn right onto Market Street.
Both routes: Continue on Market Street. Enter Dordon, go straight over the mini-roundabout, and continue until the roundabout with the A5.
Turn right (3rd exit) onto the A5, signed M42 and Tamworth, to return to the M42 Junction 10.
The Coventry Canal at Polesworth
Leave the car park of the Fosters Yard Hotel and turn right to walk a few paces along the road to the canal bridge. Go down the steps on the left side of the bridge and turn right onto the towpath.
This is a good, wide towing path where dogs can run free. Much of the path is hard-surfaced making this a good all-weather walk without any need for wellies.
The towing path leads under another bridge and after this point the path widens out and urban Polesworth is left behind. Expect to see cheerfully painted narrow boats making their way between Coventry and the North on the Coventry canal.
Carry on walking with the canal to the left and enjoy the sight of Pooley Hall on the far bank. The path continues past a disused footbridge and then goes right underneath the motorway. Shortly afterwards, cross the canal at the new pedestrian bridge and bear left to enter the Pooley Country Park . Follow the path with the canal to the left to reach the visitor centre and facilities at the park.
This route is then reversed to return to the Fosters Yard Hotel along the towing path.
Facilities
Fosters Yard Hotel: open all day from 1200. Large car park. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area, and dog water is provided. Bar snacks are available, and the hotel also has its own Balti restaurant. This is a particularly friendly pub, with canine comfort high on the agenda.
As an alternative, the paths in Pooley Country Park are accessible to wheelchair users.
Pooley Country Park : Car park £1.00, gates locked at dusk. Ample space for caravans/camper vans. Dog poo bins placed around the park, and dog water is provided. Visitor Centre with café, WC and disabled with radar key, children's playground.