Walking in Leicestershire: 26 Circular Walks

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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! Gently rolling countryside once ridden by Royalty and the upper classes to eradicate the Fox. They failed but they left behind a pleasant area for walking. As you pass through many towns and villages on this walk, you’ll be able to stop to find refreshments and local facilities at various points along the route. There is ongoing work to replace the conifers with native, deciduous trees meaning this mixed woodland will change over the years and already differs to the forest it was several years ago. Several of the pathways have been surfaced, creating an easy circular, accessible walk.

Trek through this rugged but beautiful landscape to reach the highest point in the county atop Beacon Hill. This route will take you from the outskirts of Loughborough, through the Out Woods and country park to the hill.

From moving out of busy cities to learning how to bake bread at home, we have all adapted to a new normal. 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. Trace the War of the Roses in Bosworth or see an Iron Age hill fort at Burrough Hill . And if you really want to give your legs a workout, there’s a well-maintained 100-mile circular route all around the county. On reaching the T-junction go straight across and follow the bridleway along the left-hand side of the hedgerow for the length of the field. Although it looks as if the path continues straight on, you need to turn left to the next corner and go through into the next field. Carry on in the same direction, but to the right-hand side of the hedgerow. At the end of that field you go through a gap and cross over to the left-hand side of the hedgerow. Continue along on the same side until you reach the road (grid ref.SP671988). 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.

This English Country house was initially built in 1902 and remains a private home. But its tranquil gardens are a perfect local escape.If you want to shorten this walk and omit the Out Woods, or simply explore in a more leisurely fashion, you can start from either of the Beacon Hill Country Park car parks. Should you explore more of the country park, you can seek out the chainsaw-carved statues, enjoy several marked walks, and maybe have a BBQ by the upper car park. If you fancied spending a whole weekend walking, the National Forest Way begins in this park and stretches 73 miles to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The Plough Inn in Ratby offers a warm welcome for people and pooches alike, as does The Bull’s Head. By starting and ending this walk in Ratby, you can make the most of the local facilities, as well as combine this route with other local walks to lengthen your outdoor adventure with your canine companion. This fairly long walk already takes you through the woods, to Groby and around Groby Pool for a moderate walk through varied surroundings. They sit alongside a number of flowered gardens and a large arboretum - perfect for a peaceful stroll. Thornton Reservoir, Thornton

Hill walks

A circular walk of eight miles on the Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire boundary. Nether Broughton is near Melton Mowbray, famous for Pork Pies & Stilton cheese. It stretches across for Leicestershire countryside for almost 22 miles and has a number of attractions en route, including the Bosworth Battlefield visitor centre and Sutton Cheney. If you need a place to refresh you and your pup, stop by the Queen’s Head or the Crown Inn in nearby Coalville. The Great Central Way which runs through the Aylestone Meadows makes for an easy and scenic walking route. Both circuits are on surfaced paths and are accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, making this walk and wonderful scenery accessible for all ages and abilities. You will enjoy gentle strolling through tranquil surroundings and can relax by the calm waters of the lakes.