In a Nutshell
The small village of Hatton boasts two attractions close together that we tend to combine as a day out - the flight of locks and cafe at Hatton Locks and the Hatton Country World just a short drive (or walk) away. Combine a canal side walk with some retail therapy in the Warwickshire countryside. Parking and Pooping
Hatton lies in the Warwickshire countryside, a short distance north of the junction of the M40 with the A46. Hatton Locks is off the A4177, with the Coutry World signposted just north of the locks a little over 1 mile's drive or just less than a mile if you walk it via the tow path. Parking at both sites is easy, with dedicated car parks at each, with loads of grass for pup. The locks have toilets at the cafe and Hatton Country World has toilets within the shopping village complex. Walkies
As you would expect, both sites offer good walking. The locks has a gravel tow path that runs from the cafe, across the bridge and down the length of the flight of locks and offers easy walking with wide grass areas to the side of the path. If you decide to walk to the Country World, you walk passed the cafe, where the tow path becomes narrower and sometimes muddier until you reach the next bridge, where you climb up to the road, turning left to walk along the country lane on the road to the Country World, so beware of cars. At Hatton Country World, the shopping village is generally dog friendly with pedestrian alleys that run between the rows of shops in the old farm complex. There are also signposted circular country walks you can take from the car park. At both sites there are ample benches to sit and relax, watch the barges navigate the locks or at Country World, Bella likes to sit in the picnic area and watch the activities in the Adventure World area below. |
Keeping the Humans Amused
At the locks the main attraction is watching the barges work their way through the locks and there is a small heritage centre, which is being slowly developed. Hatton Country World combines an Adventure World for kids/familes which is paid entry, with the shopping village which is free to enter and is the dog friendly part. Here you will find a collection of local crafts, curios, discount clothes and a garden centre, along with an antique centre. Chow Time
We like to eat at the Hatton Locks Cafe, right beside the canal. It has extensive outdoor seating and the small cafe is dog friendly inside too. At Hatton Country World, there is a restaurant and cafe (not dog friendly), with separate hatch for ice creams. There is outside seating in a covered section and plenty of picnic benches if you prefer. |