A tranquil route through the heart of Warwickshire, connecting Rugby, Long Itchington and Leamington Spa, before heading west towards the Grand Union canal.
What is the Lias Line?
The Lias Line stretches across the beautiful Warwickshire countryside through Rugby, Long Itchington and Leamington Spa, before heading west towards the Grand Union canal.
Named after the stone buried beneath it, the railway line closed in 1985 after 134 years transporting minerals and passengers.
The route encompasses a section of discussed railway line which we’ve lovingly redeveloped to create 7.5 km (4.6 miles) of traffic-free greenway.
A haven for wildlife
Today, the deep rumble of trains carrying the ‘Blue Lias’ clay has long been replaced by the gentle sound of birdsong, as nature reclaims this part of the Warwickshire countryside.
The Lias Line is also home to several rare species including the Great Crested Newt, and other rare butterflies and plants.
Common blue butterfly. Credit: Laura White/Sustrans
Improvements still to come
Improvements are continuing to the ‘main line’ section of the route and this path will cross the Fosse Way once HS2 completes a bridge link in 2025. The National Cycle Network will then be diverted onto the track and off the existing highway.
The scheme has been delivered in phases in partnership with the Department for Transport as part of our Paths for Everyone programme.
Funding has also come through HS2, Active Travel England through Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council and the British Horse Society.
It’s our aspiration to improve an additional 4 km (2.5 miles) of off-road cycle route on the Lias Line, subject to further funding.
A visit from BBC Countryfile
In 2022, BBC Countryfile presenters Matt Baker and Ellie Harrison explored the Lias Line greenway.
They took particular interest in our extensive ecological and biodiversity enhancement work, along with a recently opened section of the line.
The Countryfile team met with Jim Whiteford, our Senior Ecologist, and Carmen Szeto, Senior Network Development Manager.
We’re delighted that the Lias Line was celebrated in this way, inspiring many more people to get active and explore the great outdoors via the National Cycle Network.
The BBC Countryfile episode featuring the Lias Line aired on Sunday 29 May 2022 at 6.45pm.
7.5 km
Explore the the Lias Line's 7.5 km (4.6 miles) of traffic-free greenway.
2025
In 2025, the traffic-free section will be extended further after a new bridge is completed.
The Lias Line. Credit: Sustrans
Read about our work to improve the Lias Line over the years
Transforming a disused railway line into Warwickshire's greenway
The first phase of the Lias Line improvements was completed in 2022, following years of campaigning, fundraising and planning.
Warwickshire's sporting heroes immortalised in steel
Two steel figures in Warwickshire, installed in October 2022, were the first of 30 to be installed across England as part of The Portrait Benches project in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Lias Line Greenway in Warwickshire: A haven for wildlife
The Lias Line passes pretty villages, wildlife reserves, reservoirs and canals. Discover a route alive with wildlife - a haven for rare plants and animals.
Building work starts on £5.1m Lias Line Greenway improvement in Warwickshire
In 2021, a ceremonial groundbreaking marked the start of work to improve the Lias Line. Many key stakeholders came along to witness the traditional turning of the first sod.
