Come and discover an often overlooked part of England. The Harborough district is an area of rolling countryside, ancient pastures and farmland, streams, woodland spinneys and beautiful villages. Canals, battles and buried treasure are all there to be explored – not to mention local characters and ancient customs.
All the festival walks are led by two experienced guides. Consequently, not only do you get to enjoy the lovely countryside in the company of like minded people, but your walk will be enhanced with fascinating details of its natural and ancient history.
Supported by Harborough District Council, this year we are again pleased to have Involved Holidays as a major sponsor. Very appropriately Involved Holidays organise guided walking holidays in the UK and abroad.
Supported by Harborough District Council
Sponsored by Involved Holidays
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 - September 8th - 15th
SUNday SEPTEMBER 8th
The festival starts, on this Sunday, with two guided walks centred around the beautiful Nevill Holt House.
Morning walk
Great Easton, Bringhurst, Drayton, Nevill Holt, Circular Walk
Distance: 6 miles
Grade: Moderate. Includes a steepish road walk
up towards Nevill Holt
Starting Time: 10:00am
Meeting Place: Outside the Sun Inn Great Easton
Google Maps: 52.527520,-0.749654
Grid Ref: SP84949219
What3Words: arena.hologram.district
Parking: High St.,Barnsdale & Cross Bank
The morning walk takes us from Great Easton and Bringhurst to Drayton, where we climb Drayton hill for fabulous views over the Welland valley to Rockingham Castle. You will then discover the past and present of Nevill Holt house before heading back to Great Easton.
Browse down to
book tickets
afternoon walk
Medbourne, Blaston, Nevill Holt Circular Walk
Distance: 6.5 miles
Grade: Easy, mainly on quiet roads & tracks
Starting Time: 2.30pm
Meeting Place: The Nevill Arms
Google Maps: 52.528566,-0.823097
Grid Ref. SP7995 9394
What3Words: brochure.expensive.slug
Parking: On the road by the village hall
Whereas in the morning the walk will take us east of Nevill Holt, this time we are on its western side and visit two of South Leicestershire’s gems, Medbourne and Blaston. We also walk in the footsteps of Romans as we pass ancient villa and town sites and travel close to the course of the Roman Gartree road.
WEDNESday SEPTEMBER 11th
AFTERNOON walk
Foxton Locks to Gumley Circular Walk
Distance: 5 miles
Grade: Easy
Starting Time: 2.00pm
Meeting Place & Parking: Foxton Locks Long Stay Car Park (charge)
Google Maps: 52.496123, -0.982497
Grid Ref: SP69168915
What3Words: porridge.received.audible
The shortest walk of this year’s festival visits famous Foxton Locks and Gumley village, once popular with Anglo-Saxon royalty. Completing the canal link between Leicester and London was no plain sailing and we will hear about riots, bankruptcy, and changes in route along the way. Refreshments available at Foxton Locks either before or after the walk.
tHurSday SEPTEMBER 12TH
morning walk
Wilbarston, Stoke Albany, Ashley Circular Walk
Distance: 6.25 miles
Grade: Moderate
Starting Time: 10.00am
Meeting Place: Church Street Wilbarston
Google Maps: 52.487281, -0.805299
Grid Ref: SP81248836
What3Words: since.bathtubs.crazy
Parking: Church Street, Wilbarston
This walk takes us over the county boundary into Northamptonshire. We visit three typical Northants villages with their warm ironstone-built cottages, churches and pubs; climb the ridge above the Welland valley and discover some surprises on the way. After walk refreshments available at The Milking Parlour café, Wilbarston or The White Horse Inn, Stoke Albany.
FRIday SEPTEMBER 13TH
Morning walk
Billesdon Circular Walk
Distance: 5.5 miles
Grade: Moderate
Starting Time: 10.00pm
Meeting Place: New Greyhound, Billesdon.
Google Maps: 52.618432, -0.939050
Grid Ref: SK71920280
What3Words: hockey.untruth.womb
Parking: Village centre
This walk will explore the rolling countryside to the north of the rural community of Billesdon. During the walk we will pass close to Billesdon Cop Low (meaning, rather repetitively, Bil’s hill hill hill). We then head into ‘High Leicestershire’, passing the local high point of Life Hill and the delightfully named Sludge Hall. After the walk, you can find refreshments in Billesdon itself.
Sunday SEPTEMBER 15TH
ALL DAY walk
Lost Villages of High Leicestershire Circular Walk
The Walking festival finishes with a fascinating all-day walk. We will visit or walk close to five of the sixty odd lost villages in the county. The walk also takes us by some lovely country houses and into the village of Hungarton, where the publican of The Ashby Arms has kindly allowed us the use the facilities and outside sitting area for our packed lunch.
Distance: 7.5 miles
Grade: Moderate/hard
Starting Time: 11.00am
Meeting & Parking Place: On the Enderby's Lane close to the turn off to Cold Newton. There is a wide flat grass verge for safe parking.
Google Maps: 52.647508, -0.940904
Grid Ref: SK 71734 06118
What3Words: firms.eyelash.wolves
NB: This is an all day walk: Please bring a packed lunch.
price PER WALK
£8.00 per person
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 plus a some field stiles, 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
About Our Sponsor
Involved Holidays is an independently owned tour operator, specialising in group travel and walking holidays in the UK and Europe. With over twenty years of experience in the travel industry we are passionate about making sure our customers have an unforgettable experience on their holiday, giving them the opportunity to meet like minded people and make memories to last a lifetime.
Our holidays offer the perfect combination of walking and leisure time to discover the local area you are visiting at your own pace. All our walks are led by friendly, experienced local guides, who have vast amounts of knowledge, giving you a real taste and insight into your chosen destination.
Our detailed itineraries ensure you see the most stunning scenery, experience local cultures, and walk off the beaten track to discover hidden gems!