we need your feed back
The walking festival is finished for this year. We believe it was a success, so we will be organising one for 2023.
However, although we received a lot of encouragement, the numbers attending were not as high as we had hoped. Therefore, whether you attended the walks or not, we need you feedback.
Below are two separate surveys: one for those who attended and one for those who did not. Please complete the relevant survey and submit it. They are anonymous, so be honest, we can take tough love.
Come and discover an often overlooked part of England. The Harborough district is an area of rolling countryside, ancient pastures and farmland, streams, woodland spinnies and beautiful villages. Canals, battles and buried treasure are all there to be explored – not to mention local characters and ancient customs.
All the walks on offer are led by two experienced guides. Therefore, you not only get to enjoy the lovely countryside, but your walk will be enhanced with fascinating details of the local area and its history
Supported by Harborough District Council
your guides
James Carpenter is a trained Blue Badge Tourist Guide and a member of the Institute of Tourist Guides. He has lived locally all his life. History has been his passion and with a background in farming, he has the wealth of knowledge to make your walk a thoroughly delightful experience.
George Keeping is an outdoor writer and footpaths consultant who has written and contributed to guidebooks across the Midlands. He has led guided walks in Market Harborough, and with a background in archaeology and conservation, is as fascinated with what goes on beneath the soil as he is with the wide landscapes of Harborough District above.
Please note: All the guided walks will be led by James Carpenter MITG and assisted by George Keeping.
the festival walks
Thursday May 26th
Morning walk
Rolleston & Noseley Circular Walk - no stiles
This is an easy-access route with no stiles and lovely views across Leicestershire. The walk takes in two country houses with links to the English Civil War, Sir Arthur Haselrig and his brigade of lobsters!
Distance: 4 miles
Grade: Easy
Starting Time: 10.00am
Meeting Place: Gated entrance to Rolleston Ln. off B6047 Melton Rd.
Grid Ref. SP7231 9966
What 3 Words: crawler, drilled, simulator
Parking: In layby 400 yds south of meeting place on B6047
thursday afternoon walk
Tugby, Rolleston & Skeffington Circular Walk
This walk covers a little of the same ground as the morning route, but explores more of the High Leicestershire plateau. There are far reaching views across to the lovely named Robin-a-Tiptoe hill and beyond. Plus dark tales of duels, a ghost and foul invention.
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Easy
Starting Time: 2.30pm
Meeting Place: Tugby, on the village green, opposite to Fox & Hounds pub.
Parking: Village street or Sports Centre, Main St.
friday May 27th
Morning walk
Claybrooke Parva, Fosse Way Circular Walk
Starting with the delights of Fosse Meadows Country Park, we visit Frolesworth and Claybrooke Parva. Then onto High Cross, where two Roman roads meet, considered by some to be the centre of England. The route back to The Meadows follows the ancient Fosse Way, once the boundary of the Roman Empire.
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Easy
Starting Time: 10.00am
Meeting Place: Fosse Meadows Country park, LE10 3AB
Parking: Country park car park
friday afternoon walk
Brampton Valley Way - wheelchair friendly
The old Harborough to Northampton railway route is now a popular walking and cycling path. A pleasing walk from the centre of Market Harborough, with plenty of wildlife and a lovely café stop. This easy access route, on a firm but unmetalled surface, is accessible for wheelchairs users. Arrange a pickup at the café or return via the same route (four miles there and back).
Please note: the route may not be suitable for all types of wheelchair, but will require ones more befitting 'off road' unmetalled paths.
More robust wheelchairs, mobility scooters and power chairs are available to hire from Green Man cabin, Waterloo Farm Leisure, just outside Market Harborough.
Distance: 2 miles (4 miles there & back)
Grade: Easy access
Starting Time: 3.00pm
Meeting Place: By Sainsbury's supermarket, Market Harborough LE16 8BD
Parking: At Sainsbury's car park.
Refreshment & Toilet: Waterloo Farm Leisure.
saturday May 28th
Morning walk
Hallaton, Cranoe & Slawston Circular Walk
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Easy
Starting Time: 10.00am
Meeting Place: The Butter Cross opposite the Bewicke Arms pub
Parking: On village street
This engaging walk has it all: ancient sheep pastures, a deserted village, a motte and bailey castle and one of the most beautiful villages in Leicestershire. Find out about the famous tradition of Bottle Kicking, the Hallaton Treasure and enjoy views across High Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
saturday afternoon walk
Saddington, Gumley & Laughton Circular Walk
This walk takes in views across Leicestershire and Saddington reservoir and aqueduct, which made the local canal network possible. It includes three picturesque villages, one of which had links to King Offa and more questionably, to King Arthur too.
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Moderate - may be muddy areas, several moderate inclines
Starting Time: 2.30pm
Meeting Place: By green telephone box, Gumley
Parking: On village street.
Sunday May 29th
The Langtons Circular walk
At seven miles this is our longest walk. We take in four of the Langton villages, Stonton Wyville and the beautiful countryside in between. You will learn about the visionary vicar, pass by King Charles’s well and climb up Langton Caudle to the site of a windmill with fabulous views.
This walk could be muddy in places. The climb up Langton Caudle is gradual with one short steepish incline, but definitely worth the effort.
Distance: 7 miles
Grade: Moderate - Gradual climb to Langton Caudle
Starting Time: 10.00am
Meeting Place: The Crown Inn, Tur Langton
Parking: On village street.
price
Brampton Valley Way route: £5.00 per person
All other guided walks: £7.00 per person
Special pass to include all festival walks: £35.00
Attendance on the walks by prior booking only.
Walking Conditions
All the routes are easy to moderate walking through open farmland and villages. There may be some slopes to climb but nothing too strenuous. The paths are generally good, however there could be some muddy patches. We cannot predict the weather and therefore proper walking footwear and weatherproofs are recommended. We will be walking through pastures with cattle and sheep present and are therefore unable to allow dogs on the walks.
We must reserve the right not to allow anyone on a walk who seems unlikely to be able to cope with the conditions on the day.
We will do our best to keep to the published programme but must reserve the right to cancel or amend walks if this proves to be necessary.
refreshment stops &and comfort breaks
We have done our utmost to plan the walks to finish close to or within easy driving distance of a local pub or café. Wherever possible there will be toilet facilities available somewhere on the routes.
Any questions?
If you need any help or further information, please email, james.carpenter@harboroughwalks.org