Short Walk On The Grand Union Canal at Husbands Bosworth

There’s nothing better to do on a breezy November morning than to trudge through the mud in your wellies. Leicestershire’s extensive canal towpaths are a convenient and easy to navigate (no map needed!) route to follow when you’re trying to fit a short walk in between Sunday lunch and the early dark evenings.

Start out at the Husbands Bosworth Millennium Wood Nature Reserve. There’s parking for a couple of cars just off the A4304 on Mill Lane. Head straight away down the main road (good footpath) towards North Kilworth until you reach the canal about 5-10 minutes away. Over the bridge, on the North Kilworth side, is a path down to the towpath. Now head under the bridge to start your journey along the canalside (you can also do a similar walk in the opposite direction towards Welford Wharf and back along the main road).

Mind your step as it is often slippy along here and the towpath isn’t too well maintained, or maybe it is over-used! Wellies or decent walking boots are essential. No matter what time of the year the canal always looks serene. Although by now the leaves have changed from beautiful reds and oranges to dark brown there is still a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere as you walk along the path.

It’s nice to see the boatmen and women going about their lives, we met a man collecting firewood for his boat’s stove. Lots of dog walkers use this route too.

It’s only 1.2miles to the main road. Once you get to the tunnel (you can see the light at the end if you peer down it!) head up and over and there’s a long steep ascent and then descent to the A5119 as you are walking up and over the tunnel. Again, if you’re feeling adventurous you can cross the road and carry on over to the canal on the other side, this goes all the way to Theddingworth, Foxton Locks and eventually Market Harborough. However, ours was just a quick one, so head back up through Husbands Bosworth, up Bell Lane until you reach the crossroads at the top (pop into the Bell Inn for a quick half) and keep going down the road towards North Kilworth for about ½ a mile until you reach the top end of the Millennium Wood.

There’s a short loop around the woods you can do and have a rest on the dipping platform while looking for frogs and newts, despite being so close to the main road this is a haven for wildlife. Foxes, badgers, dragonflies, Barn Owls, Red Kites, kestrels, moor hens and buzzards have all been spotted here, so take your time to have a look around before you return to your car.

Fosse Meadows Nature Area

Just off the Coventry Road near Sharnford and on the ancient Roman road, the Fosse Way, is a little park ideal for children, grown-ups and dog walkers alike.

Autumn is my favourite time of the year due to the colours and the cool weather and the natural change before the harsh winter climate. Fosse Meadows is the ideal place to spot wildlife from one of the bird hides, find fungi of all varieties and give the dogs and children a good run around!

There are a myriad of paths winding around the nature pond, play area, fields and woodland. We chose to take a winding route in and out of the woods to spot some fungi. The area itself is not huge so you won't find you're getting lost and the main paths are paved and well marked.

The colours today were fantastic, with such a variety of trees and plants there is lots for children to explore and many pine cones and different leaves to collect. Unusually for one of our walks there is no pub in the vicinity but if you are in desperate need there is a short walk across the fields to Sharnford where you'll find the Sharnford Arms. There's not much to say about the route to take as it is entirely up to you, you can easily criss-cross about the woodland for a couple of hours, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Autumn Quarry Route and Our First Geocache!

Another beautiful autumn day and another walk in the National Forest! We love this area of Leicestershire so much, we're starting to become regulars! Shorter than usual at just 4.3 miles but a couple of short, steep inclines and it got quite hot in the sun!

Starting in the lovely little village of Stanton-Under-Bardon we parked up in the pub car park (of course!) and then set off up the road through the village and take a left at the Post Office and onto the footpath across a field. Then into the woods, you can turn left or right here and do a loop of the quarry, we went right and up the hill to an interesting view over a working quarry. Be aware if you're going during the week as there may be blasts and heavy machinery. The woods are lovely and very colourful at this time of year, lots of leaves to kick through.

Geocaching at Billa Barra Hill

After a bit of research since our last walk we decided to look into Geocaching, which is essentially treasure hunting. The finder searches for 'caches' at certain coordinates which contain a log book and sometimes trinkets or collectables. After a bit of searching around we found our first geocache at Billa Barra Hill. Note to self: Take a pen next time.

Back up the lane and there's a nice track that goes down an old disused railway for a couple of hundred metres. We turned left when we got out of the trees and back up the hill to overlook the quarry again on one side and Coalville on the other. The track skirts round the fields, some were fairly freshly ploughed and a bit rough underfoot, but on the whole it is easy going. Walk down to the road, just to cross the quarry entrance, and then back into the fields. Follow the hedgeline as you circumnavigate the quarry, you can tie up your loop by joining up where you started, but we turned off down past the electricity sub-station a crossed a couple of fields to do an extra bit through some more woods before heading back into the village of Stanton-Under-Bardon and popping into the Old Thatched Inn for a finishing pint.

Rugby World Cup comes to Leicester!

As I am not a football fan, this is likely to be the closest I will get to reviewing a game at Leicester City Football Club's King Power Stadium. The Rugby World Cup has come to the home of rugby football (almost: the town of Rugby is 21 miles away in our neighbouring Warwickshire) so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see the world's greatest sport (in my opinion) at home.

Leicester has always had a big rugby following, our beloved Tigers are the pride of our city, so it was natural for some of the matches to be held here. Unfortunately the organisers deemed our Tigers ground on Welford Road too small for such an occasion so 3 matches were held at LCFC's King Power stadium instead.









We started our afternoon in the pub (as usual for our outings), heading to The Counting House  on Freeman's Common. A decent pub with local ales and countless sports fans which is handily located within a car park and just a short walk down the tree-lined avenue to both the Tigers and LCFC stadiums.

I have to say the King Power (formally Walkers') Stadium is a decent venue despite the exorbitant price of beer. Very easy to navigate and despite the down-pours we managed to stay dry under the roof. We had the honour of seeing Canada take on Romania in the first stage of the 2015 World Cup, it was a close match as the teams were very equally matched but Romania managed to steal a couple of points right in the last few minutes.

The atmosphere was great, a good mix of Tigers shirts, Canadians and Romanians all cheering for everyone. Rugby fans are always good natured in my experience and this was no exception. Good game for both teams and a great afternoon out. For those who were celebrating into the night it is merely 10 minutes walk to the pubs and bars of Leicester, failing that it is not far to the train station where you can be in central London in a little over an hour.

Autumnal Woodland Route at Ratby

It's been sometime since our last jaunt around Leicestershire, thwarting our beautiful county to our Derbyshire and Gloucestershire neighbours. Sorry! But as Autumn falls and changes our leafy-green countryside into a watercolour wash of reds, golds and orange colours we couldn't help heading out for another local stroll.

A fairly easy 5.45 miles this time. Not too many hills and, of course, the all important pub stop. There's a small, free car park down Burroughs Road, Ratby, where we started our journey. Walk down the lane, through the woods until you reach a clearing and can turn left onto the footpath. There are lots of paths you can take through Burroughs Wood but we chose to turn away and up towards the golf course. The path is easy and clear and as there had not been rain for a while it was mostly dry.

The colours were wonderful under the trees but for some inexplicable reason I didn't take any digital photos (when I get my film camera developed I'll try and remember to upload some from this walk). The sun was bright overhead, apparently a perfect day for golf as we walked through the course. Turn an abrupt right once you reach to top end of the course. Unfortunately, this path was less well trodden and slightly overgrown, but we managed to pick the last of the blackberries (for a very tasty crumble once home). There was a very informative sign at the edge of Old Hayes Farm which we scooted around and then crossed the fields to Top Farm, through the yard to the left and over a few more horse-filled fields to a large duck pond (no ducks).

Turn right so you walk round the pond and through the trees past another farm yard and more horses. A short incline gives a good skyline view over our great city and then, hugging the hedgeline, make your way all the way back down to Burroughs Road. There is lots of scope to extend this walk as the area is teeming with foot paths, but for us the destination was The Plough pub at the top of the road where is was just another short trek back along the road to the car park.

At this time of year is it important to dress appropriately, as said above the tracks were mostly dry but at times there were muddy patches that needed navigating and as the fields had recently been ploughed it can make going a bit tough (especially on the ankles).

Ragdale Loop

Bit of a long one this week, 7 miles nearly killed me off (not used to moving about at the weekend!). But there are lots of ways it can be shortened and still be just as enjoyable.

Not far off the A46 at Six Hills you can park in Ragdale village. There's not much there other than pretty cottages and a quaint church. Start your hike following the signpost south, past the gardens and into open fields. This walk is busy with farm animals, especially in spring time, so do be careful if you have a dog and keep it on the lead.

Golden rule (this is from a farmer's daughter) if you have a dog on a lead and the cows start to run after you, let the dog go. It can out-run cows. You probably can't.



View from The Blue Bell

Can you spot the windmill on the way? You should be able to, you walk straight past it. It's an easy, steady walk down to Hoby, which is just adorable! Picture postcard red phone box, beautiful cottage gardens and a great pub. Although we had only just set out it was conveniently time for lunch by the time we got to The Blue Bell (a trusty Everards), so we tucked into our sarnies with a pint to keep us going. Sat in the pub garden you get a great view over the valley towards your next destination: Rotherby.

Wiggle through Hoby's sweet little jitties, down past back gardens and you'll be back in the open fields again. This is where we met a huge heard of heifers who delighted in running from one side of the field to the other and back again. Be mindful of my dog-walking advice above and you should be fine. Cows are very lovely animals and most would never knowingly harm anyone.

The route trundles along The Wreake riverside, which is beautiful. Lots of fish to spot in the clear water and the swallows had returned from their African holidays to swoop around the fields catching flies and insects. Journey over the ancient packhorse bridge, be careful when crossing the railway and you'll come to Rotherby. More beautiful houses to dream of owning.

Up the road through Rotherby and take a left through the fields, over the railway again and back up to the cows at Hoby. I love Hoby. Why not stop at the pub again? Must be time for another pint!

Big Field

Now, passing through the fields en route to Shoby was where I began to tire. But luckily I'd packed emergency apples and soon felt perky again! There are great views over Charnwood from the top of the hill about halfway to Shoby. You could see all the way to Leicester in the distance. Go past Barn Farm up quite a long straight path. If you're feeling fit you could carry on here, past the village of Shoby to Grimston. But I wasn't feeling fit.

So we turned left, up the farm track. Lots more cows to befriend along here. Then the most enormous field in Leicestershire*. This field looks like it goes on forever, you feel like you've been walking in it forever, you can see nothing but field forward and behind. But don't despair! I can confirm that you do eventually leave this field and return to humanity. Unfortunately you have to walk the last little bit along the road to Ragdale, but the road is quiet and at the end you get to take your boots off and perhaps pop up to Ragdale Hall for a well-earned massage!?



*unconfirmed.

A Jaunt About Swithland

It is a well-known fact (between my boyfriend and I) that the Charnwood area of Leicestershire is one of the nicest in our county. The ancient forest has left a mark upon the landscape like no other. This walk took us through some of the less-trodden paths, up the back of Swithland Reservoir, past Mountsorrell and through Quorn and along the riverside. Bear in mind that it often rains in January but prepare as such and you’re guaranteed to have a lovely time.

We parked up in Swithland village and headed north. Over the railway (wave to the anoraks) and up the quiet road to the reservoir dam. We met a jolly fisherman who had caught a 2kg Roach (which I am reliably informed is a good weight) and stopped for sandwiches. From this end of the reservoir you get a great view of the steam train chuffing over the viaduct. This is a surviving section of the Great Central Railway, and the last place (in the world?) where you could see two steam trains passing each other. The trains run regularly on the weekends and on weekdays in the summer, so you have a good chance of spotting at least one during this walk.

Now for a bit of road and verge walking: loop round the reservoir and up Kinchley Lane turning left at the top (away from Mountsorrel) and along the road to Quorn. Unless you want to add ¼ of a mile onto your journey then avoid the dog-walking path next to the quarry as it is not a short-cut (as assumed by us) but a loop around a rocky hillside.

Quorn was a nice surprise: I’ve never been before but there are a few shops and a selection of pubs to take a breather at. Heading left again at the crossroads, go down Meeting Street about 400 yards and veer off left at the signed footpath, taking you next to the farm with the emus (?!) and down by the riverside. This place is magical (if you discount the mud) and a rare treat in our neck of the woods to find a pretty little river with clear running water. Sloshing through the mud and marshes that bank the river takes you back towards the railway, where if you’re lucky you’ll see another train and a spot of wildlife. Behind the big house and back to the railway bridge we crossed on the way and it’s just a hop over the fields back to the car.

Overall this is about 7.5 miles. I didn’t find it that easy but partly because of the mud, I think. Prepare for rain and wear some boots and you’ll be fine!