Walking in Leicestershire: 26 Circular Walks

Product Information

There are plenty of facilities and activities available at the park, including ping-pong tables, sensory garden and lavender maze. There is also the pavilion cafe, which welcomes dogs too. Otherwise, you’re only a mile from the centre of Leicester, so there are many local amenities to take advantage of.

Turning left to head northwards, the path you are now following is the very straight bed of the original Great Central Railway. It used to be a main line connection between Manchester and London. You’ll see one of Sustrans’ cast-iron Millennium Mileposts, over 1,000 of which were installed in 2000 along the National Cycle Network. The tree-lined Way is part of Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 6, so your space will be shared with cyclists using the trail. It’s even popular with horse riders too! A nine miles linear rural walk between county boundaries from Leicestershire into Lincolnshire. The walk ends in the home town of Mrs Thatcher. The Bradgate in Newtown Linford is a family and dog-friendly pub, making it the perfect spot to rest after your long walk through the forest and hills. Martinshaw Wood, along with neighbouring Pear Tree Wood and Burroughs Wood, make up the south-east boundary of The National Forest. It’s a prime location for picturesque woodland dog walks in Leicestershire. Your pooch will enjoy a good walk off the lead, stopping to sniff the trees and following their nose through the undergrowth while the humans can enjoy birdsong and tranquil surroundings as they connect with nature and relish the fresh air.This eight-mile circular walk starts in Bradgate Country Park and takes in two of Leicestershire’s most popular hills. There’s a steep climb up to the 18th-century folly at the top of Old John. The views from Beacon Hill are stunning and, on a clear day, you’ll see the Peak District in the distance.

This English Country house was initially built in 1902 and remains a private home. But its tranquil gardens are a perfect local escape. You’ll start and end in Great Glen on this walk, a village that’s accessible by public transport. It also has two pubs, former coaching inns that used to be on the main road to Leicester.With lots to do and see this is a perfect spot for family walks and bike rides. Read More Related Articles Much of this part of the Midlands was neglected and bruised by hundreds of years of coal mining and heavy industry. Yet today, the west of Leicestershire is at the heart of a tremendous rewilding project, known as the National Forest.

There are facilities at the common with a visitor centre, toilets and cafe so you needn’t wander far to refresh yourself after your walk. If you did fancy a trip to find heartier fare, you and the pup will be welcome at the nearby Acorns Coffee Shop. Some of the charming features from the original 1802 gardens remains alongside the rest of space which was redesigned in the late 19th century.With plenty of opportunities for off-lead roaming, and a gradient sure to tire the legs out, your pup will be well entertained and exercised by the end of this walk. But should you like to spend a few more hours roaming the countryside, you can visit the nearby Melton Country Park or join the Leicestershire Round, (provided you want to spend a few days walking!) If you plan to spend a few days walking, the Leicestershire Round long-distance trail passes through the park. But at just over 102 miles, it’s certainly a bit more than the average afternoon’s dog walk in Leicestershire. Walks that start in adjacent counties or areas but cross the boundary and include sections of the route within Leicestershire. Walk If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can take a long looping walk from the visitor centre and through the local area, past the place Richard III was believed to have been killed, and along the canal and former railway.