The Heart of England Way from Henley in Arden soon crosses the A4189

It then makes a meadering route across to Roman Alcester. From there it follows a parallel but more bumpy route to the River Arrow before descending into Bidford in Avon.

Apparently Shakespeare came with friends to Bidford for a drinking contest on a Whit Monday against the Bidford Topers. The Topers had gone to a more important contest in Evesham. The Stratford men were up against the B team, the Bidford Sippers. Stratford were soundly beaten. Shakespeare wrote this about his neighbourly towns:

Piping Pebworth, Dancing Marston

Haunted Hillborough, Hungry Grafton

Dodging Exhall, Papist Wixford

Beggarly Broom, Drunken Bidford