Discover the Heart of England Way & Arden Way

Open the garden gate at Mutton Barn and you step straight onto two of England’s great long-distance footpaths: the Heart of England Way and the Arden Way. No driving, no planning car parks – just boots on, dogs clipped to leads, and you’re off.

Our elevated position on Alne Hills means every walk starts with a view. Whichever direction you choose, you’ll be wandering through the Heart of England Forest, with ancient woodland, open farmland and big skies all around you.

Heart of England Way & Arden Way

The Heart of England Way runs for around 100 miles from Staffordshire down to the Cotswolds, and one of its loveliest stretches passes right by our gate. It’s a classic English countryside walk: hedgerows, wildflower verges, gentle ridgelines and the odd curious sheep for company.

The Arden Way loops through the historic Forest of Arden, threading together pretty villages, church spires and old lanes that have seen centuries of footfall. From Mutton Barn you can join short sections for a quick leg-stretch, or link paths together for a full day out.

Because both routes intersect here, you can mix and match them to suit your energy levels – from a 30-minute pre-breakfast stroll to a long, lazy wander that brings you home in time for sunset and the wood-fired hot tub.

Walks For Every Kind of Day

Gentle Potters & Viewpoint Loops

On days when you just want to breathe in the air and not think too hard, follow the ridge from the barn for an easy loop with far-reaching views over Warwickshire. It’s mostly level once you’re up on the hill, with plenty of spots to pause and watch buzzards circling or, if you’re lucky, our resident barn owls quartering the fields at dusk.

These shorter loops are perfect for children, older relatives, or a quick outing before supper – and because you’re never far from home, you can simply turn back when you’ve had your fill.

Longer Rambles & Pub Walks

If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs, follow the Heart of England Way across fields and woodland towards the nearby villages and the wider Heart of England Forest. Full-day circulars are easy to create from the barn, taking in quiet lanes, farm tracks and forest rides before looping back to your front door.

There are several country pubs and the Purity Brewing Company within walking distance across the fields for those who like their walks with a reward at the halfway mark. Ask us for suggestions and we’ll happily point you towards our favourite routes and refreshment stops.

Perfect For Dogs (And Their Humans)

We really do love dogs at Mutton Barn, and the walking here is dog heaven. With 125 miles of local footpaths to explore from the gate and a fully enclosed garden to come home to, it’s easy to give energetic pups the adventure they crave.

There’s an outside hot-and-cold dog shower waiting for muddy paws on your return, so you can embrace those winter splashes and woodland snuffles without worrying about the floors indoors.

Wildlife on Your Walks

One of the joys of walking straight from the barn is the sense of being immersed in nature from the first step. Keep an eye out for muntjac deer (Gary and Mary and their friends), weasels darting along the hedgerows, and buzzards riding the thermals above Alne Hills.

At quieter times of the day, especially early morning or at dusk, you may hear the soft call of the barn owls that hunt over our fields. For many guests, those encounters on a simple walk from the door become the lasting memories of their stay.

Come Back to Comfort

However far you roam, it’s a good feeling knowing you’re walking back to a hot shower, a crackling log fire and, if you fancy it, a soak in the wood-fired hot tub under the stars. At Mutton Barn, the walking starts at the doorstep – and so does the unwinding.