The 88-mile fully waymarked path begins in Naseby and follows the course of the River Avon. It officially opens this weekend.

This week, Jenny Davidson, one of the authors takes us a little further along the Way through Warwickshire...

After a pleasant walk through the park ending at the swimming pool (Map 9), Shakespeare's Avon Way joins The Riverside Walk, a local route alongside the River Leam which links Leamington Spa and Warwick.

The path goes through Jephson Gardens, past the Royal Pump Room, crosses the river near to the bandstand and then continues through Victoria Park.

The route then skirts round the Severn Trent water treatment plant at Prince's Drive before joining up with the Grand Union Canal towpath to walk towards Warwick.

There is a good view of the confluence of the Rivers Avon and Leam from the aquaduct. The Way leaves the towpath at Emscote Road and follows this busy route into Warwick before bearing off into St Nicholas Park. A stroll through this pleasant open space affords the walker excellent views of the River Avon and Warwick Castle.

The path leaves the park near Castle Bridge and meanders through historic Warwick (Map 10). There is something quite pleasing about arriving on foot and not having to worry about where to park the car. Leave the town along Birmingham Road before rejoining the Grand Union Canal towpath near to the Saltisford Canal Trust.

The route stays with the towpath for about two miles passing Hatton Bottom Lock, the first of 21 locks which lift the Grand Union Canal 146 feet out of the Avon Valley. Known as the Hatton Flight, these locks have sometimes been referred to as 'The Stairway To Heaven' - but not necessarily by those working the locks.

At Bridge 54, where the towpath crosses to the opposite side of the canal, take time to look back at this marvellous feat of engineering before rewarding yourself with tea and buns at Hatton Locks Café.

The Way now heads south away from the canal towards Hampton-on-the-Hill and for those of you who are continuing the adventure, there are only another 48 miles to go before reaching Tewkesbury (but don't forget the detour up Bredon Hill ).

The directions given in this article are abridged from the main Shakespeare's Avon Way guide book and are reproduced in this manner to give you a flavour of the route.

If you would like more comprehensive directions, together with maps, photographs and other useful information, please support Myton Hospice and purchase the publication. See the panel on the right for further information.