Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kingswood Junction and the spur to Stratford-upon-Avon
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Shrewley Tunnel with its unique horse tunnel climbing away
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The spire of the 13th century church in Long Itchington was struck by lightning and col-
lapsed during a service in a 1762 storm. The village has many 17-18th century half-timbered
houses and an impressive stand of poplars around the pond. Wulfstan was born here in 1012,
going on to become Archbishop of Worcester and St Wulfstan. Elizabeth I stayed at the Tudor
House with the Earl of Leicester. Quarries produce a good supply of large fossils, of which
the most notable in 1898 was a 5.8m-long near-perfect apatosaurus, 9m down and 20 million
years old.
A reservoir has become a stocked angling lake beside the Kaye's Arm, dug to serve the
cement works. Before Stockton Bottom Lock is the popular Blue Lias public house with its
apatosaurus sign and flocks of marauding Canada geese, used to being fed by customers.
Next to a marina and Boat Inn, the A426 crosses Birdingbury bridge, dangerous because it
is a fast road with a hump hiding the public house car park exit and the minor road junction
on the opposite side. This is one of a couple of places on this road where useful high intensity
