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.