What to take on a walk On Walks  Drinking water Please try to be there 10 minutes before start time to allow time to put boots on & take walks  Comfortable walking boots (not register. trainers) Before going on a walk please ensure that your level of fitness is adequate.  Packed lunch

Walk Grades  Waterproof jacket and over-trousers. Leisurely (L) - This will be most evening walks. Suitable for reasonably fit people with at least a little  Walking trousers (not jeans) country walking experience. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended. Terrain  Fleece or other warm top Includes unsurfaced country paths that may be narrow, uneven, muddy or overgrown, and See http://www.lrwg.org.uk/resources/walkers obstructions such as stiles, narrow bridges, stepping for more information. stones and steps. May be hilly, with a few ascents and descents. May also include walks that would Very occasionally it is necessary to change otherwise be graded easy access or easy but are walks due to unforeseen circumstances. longer than 8km/5 miles. Pace Slow or moderate Please check the website for any changes pace; could include otherwise easy walks taken at a since this programme was printed. E&OE. moderate pace.

Moderate (M) - This will be most Sunday walks around Leicestershire. Suitable for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing To stay in touch with LRWG socials & walks are essential. Terrain As leisurely walks, but with join our Yahoo Group on-line. It’s free, easy to some sustained climbs and perhaps some moderate join up & enables you to arrange or partake in walking on open hillsides or moorland in the warmer ad hoc socials & walks as well as request or months. Pace Moderate pace; could include walks on leisurely terrain taken at a brisk pace. offer lifts. Go to

Strenuous (S) - This will be most Peak District type www.groups.yahoo.com/group/lrwg walks. Suitable for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. Walking boots and now! All you need to provide is your name, e- warm, waterproof clothing are essential. People in mail address & Ramblers Association doubt about their fitness are advised to contact the membership number. Once your details are organiser or leader in advance. Terrain Includes verified, usually within a few days, you’ll be free rough country and mountains, a few long or lots of to send & receive e-mails & have access to our short ascents and descents on rough paths and on-line files such as committee meeting across open country. Pace Moderate or brisk pace; could include walks on moderate terrain taken at a minutes, programmes & walks & social brisk pace. resources.

Technical (T) - Something like going up Tryfan. Your walking group needs Suitable for walkers with experience of walking in rough country, with additional technical skills and you! specialist equipment where appropriate. Walkers must contact the organiser or leader for further The group can’t exist without its members details. Terrain Rough country and mountains; may volunteering to lead walks. Please feel free to involve scrambling, ropes, ice axes or crampons. If submit walks for the next programme to there is a chance that weather conditions will require [email protected] providing the ropes or other technical equipment to be used and standard walk information. See our site at these are carried as a precaution, the walk should be www.lrwg.org.uk/resources/leaders for more classed as technical whether they are used or not. information. May

Saturday 03 May 2014 9:00:00 AM Challenge Walk, Castleton

Start Point: SK149829 : Castleton 20 miles S

Route: Castleton - Hayfield - Kinder - Edale - Win Hill - Hope - Castleton

Details: Starting from outside the Visitor Center by the car park in Castleton, we will head up towards Rushup Edge, then wander towards Hayfield, from where we pick up the Mass Trespass path up to Kinder Scout and Kinder Downfall. From Jacob's ladder we head into Edale then up to Hope Cross and Win Hill eventually coming down to Hope and then Castleton. Walk will be at least 20 miles if not a bit longer.

Leader: Vicky [email protected]

Sunday 04 May 2014 10:30:00 AM South Wigston

Start Point: SP586982 : South Wigston 11 miles M

Route: South Wigston - Glen Parva - Blaby - Crow Mills - Kilby Bridge - Cooks Lane - Kilby Bridge - Foston - South Wigston Details: Starting from the large free car park on Countesthorpe Road in South Wigston. We will take the canal to Glen Parva where there will be a chance to see the moat from the 13th to 15th Century and the site of the prehistoric settlement where 2500 to 3000 year old pottery was found. Then we will go on to see the Ice House in Blaby where perishable food was stored for the Manor House before the days of Refrigeration. From here we take the Bridleway to Crow Mills and then the canal to Kilby Bridge for a stop at the Navigation Inn for a drink. We will then head down Cooks Lane, over the railway and back along the canal to Kilby Bridge. Then across the fields to Foston and South Wigston. Option to leave walk at 4 miles at Crow Mills for new members and those wanting a shorter walk.

Leader: Karl [email protected]

Wednesday 07 May 2014 7:00:00 PM Watermead Country Park (South)

Start Point: SK609095 : Thurmaston 3.5 miles L

Route: Mill Lane - Watermead (South) - Mammoth Statue - Mill Lane

Details: Park and meet in the free car park at the end of Mill Lane in Thurmaston. Leisurely evening walk into Watermead Park (South), with a figure of 8 loop of the lakes and the mammoth statue, before heading back off to the car park.

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Sunday 11 May 2014 10:30:00 AM Blue Dog, Blue Horse and Specific Gravity

Start Point: SK888217 : Sewstern 11 miles M

Route: Sewstern - Buckminster - Skillington - Woolsthorpe

Details: The traditional May footpath-liberation expedition, starting from a great Leicestershire watering hole before drifting into Lincolnshire to show them how it's done, with a nod to Newton en route. Bring secateurs and attitude.

Leader: Keith [email protected]

Wednesday 14 May 2014 7:00:00 PM Great Glen

Start Point: SP655975 : Great Glen 4 miles L

Route: Great Glen - Burton Overy - Great Glen

Details: Meet by the war memorial on the village green (London Road). We will wander across some fields to Burton Overy and then back via some more fields and a pond.

Leader: Helen [email protected]

Sunday 18 May 2014 10:30:00 AM Birchover, Derbyshire

Start Point: SK236621 : Birchover 13.5 miles M

Route: Birchover - Stanton in Peak - Over Haddon - Lathkill Dale - Youlgeave - Robin Hood's Stride - Birchover

Details: Starting from the end of the village near The Druids Inn pub, this is a longish walk to Over Haddon and Lathkill Dale, returning via Youlgreave and the Limestone Way. There are a few modest short climbs, but nothing too strenuous for any significant distance.

Leader: Sally [email protected]

Wednesday 21 May 2014 7:00:00 PM Ratby

Start Point: SK511058 : Ratby 4.5 miles L

Route: Ratby - Ratby Burroughs - Whittington Rough - Ratby

Details: Starting from the Plough Inn, Burroughs Road, heading around Ratby Burroughs, towards Whittington Rough, we then return to Ratby.

Leader: Sally [email protected]

Sunday 25 May 2014 10:30:00 AM Frisby on the Wreake

Start Point: SK693176 : Melton Mowbray 10 miles M

Route: Frisby - Hoby - Rotherby - Brooksby - Rearsby - The Blue Stone on the Wreake - Gaddesby - Frisby

Details: Meet at the Old Village Cross, Frisby on the Wreake. A walk in the Wreake valley linking the villages of Rotherby, Rearsby and Gaddesby. The terrain is mostly meadowland with some crop fields.

Leader: Mark [email protected]

Wednesday 28 May 2014 7:00:00 PM Saddington

Start Point: SK658918 : Saddington 4.5 miles L

Route: Saddington - Gumley - Smeeton Westerby - Saddington

Details: Meet near the pub. May be busy for food so may be best not to clog up the car park. Some hills, woods, streams, a sewage works and a beer garden with a lovely view over the Reservoir.

Leader: Doug [email protected]

Saturday 31 May 2014 9:00:00 AM Six Dales Challenge Walk

Start Point: SK208641 : Youlgreave 26 miles S

Route: Youlgreave - Middleton - Biggin - Hartington - Parsley Hay - Monyash - Youlgreave

Details: This fabulous and challenging walk is the distance of a marathon but it would be a travesty to run it like an athlete; much better to stroll and take in all the beauty on offer. We will pass through Biggin Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Beresford Dale, Lathkill Dale, Bradford Dale and Long Dale. An excellent walk indeed.

Leader: Louisa [email protected]

June

Sunday 01 June 2014 10:30:00 AM Cromford, Derbyshire

Start Point: SK299571 : Cromford 11 miles M

Route: Cromford Mill - High Peak Trail - Steeple Grange - Middleton Top - Griffe Grange - Ible - Bonsall - Cromford Mill Details: Meet at Cromford Mill car park - entering Cromford from the South on the A6, turn right at traffic lights onto Mill Lane, the pay & display car park is down the road on the right. Toilets at start. The walk is 11 miles across varied terrain which includes some long uphill sections. May include mid-afternoon pub stop. We should be back in time for tea and cake at the visitor centre cafe.

Leader: Rob [email protected]

Tuesday 03 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Thornton Reservoir

Start Point: SK475072 : Thornton 2.5 miles E

Route: Anti-clockwise lap of the reservoir.

Details: Park in the small unoffical parking area to the side of the reservoir, (just off the Thornton Lane end of Reservoir Road), as the proper car park gets locked up early in the evenings. Walk takes in one lap of this beautiful small reservoir.

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Wednesday 04 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Barkby

Start Point: SK633097 : Barkby 4.5 miles L

Route: Barkby - Beeby - Barkby

Details: Starting from the Malt Shovel, Main Street, we'll walk clockwise, north of Barkby Brook to Beeby, returning via fields and tracks.

Leader: Sally [email protected]

Sunday 08 June 2014 10:30:00 AM Long Eaton

Start Point: SK489313 : Long Eaton 10 miles L

Route: Trentlock - Attenborough Nature Reserve - Trentlock - Sawley Marina (optional) - Trentlock (optional)

Details: Park in the free Trentlock car park and meet by the toilet block. Walking a scenic out and back route along the canal path to Attenborough Nature Reserve. Optional extension along path at the end to pub stop for a late lunch (email details to follow), before returning to the car park. 10 miles (7 miles without optional late lunch pub stop for meal).

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Wednesday 11 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Burton Overy

Start Point: SP679980 : Burton Overy 3.5 miles E

Route: Burton Overy - Carlton Carlieu - Burton Overy

Details: Starting at the Bell Inn, heading to Carlton Carlieu, then back along the Roman road to Burton Overy.

Leader: Alex [email protected]

Sunday 15 June 2014 10:30:00 AM Tideswell

Start Point: SK153757 : Tideswell 10 miles M

Route: Tideswell - Litton Mill - Priestcliffe Lees - Monsal Head - Cressbrook - Litton - Tideswell

Details: Seven dales in a day, a cotton mill with a tragic tale, beautiful limestone landscapes, full steam ahead along the Monsal Trail and National Nature Reserves.

Leader: Ian [email protected]

Tuesday 17 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Ticknall

Start Point: SK353241 : Ticknall 7.5 miles M

Route: Ticknall - Carvers Rocks - Foremark Reservoir - old Ticknall Tramway -Ticknall

Details: The South Derbyshire village of Ticknall found its place in the Industrial Revolution as a producer of bricks, pottery and tiles. Today, the tramways and tunnels that linked Ticknall's lime kilns to the canal network remain and make for an excellent tour of the village and it's surrounding highlights, including rare heathland at Carvers Rocks and the bird-rich marshes of Foremark Reservoir.Generally good level paths and country lanes, except one undulating section that includes many steps. Some waterside walking and two tunnels to negotiate, plus the odd stile.Slightly longer than normal evening walk, follows the same route as my Sunday Ticknall walk in last year's programme.Out of walk Spring 2013 magazine - route 4. Park and meet in free Ticknall Village Hall car park on Ingleby Lane.

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Wednesday 18 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Wistow

Start Point: SP637959 : Wistow 4 miles E

Route: Wistow - Newton Harcourt - Great Glen - Wistow

Details: Starting from the car park next to Wistow Rural Centre, through Newton Harcourt, over the fields to Great Glen and then back to Wistow.

Leader: Karl [email protected]

Sunday 22 June 2014 10:30:00 AM Loughborough

Start Point: SK515205 : Loughborough 9.5 miles M

Route: Morrisons - Normanton on Soar via Blackbrook and River Soar - Hathern - Long Whatton - Piper Wood - Shepshed - Garendon Park - Stonebow Washlands - Morrisons. Details: A moderate walk from Morrisons, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough. See the link for more info: http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=C6AE7B14-0F0D-7BD8-43BD46E9CE918912&success=1

Leader: Matt [email protected]

Wednesday 25 June 2014 7:00:00 PM Aylestone

Start Point: SK571009 : Aylestone 5 miles E

Route: Aylestone - Grand Union Canal - Great Central Way - Grand Union Canal - Aylestone

Details: An evening walk on the southern outskirts of Leicester. Meet at Union pub but please only park in the pub car park if you intend to go in the pub afterwards.

Leader: Barney [email protected]

Sunday 29 June 2014 10:30:00 AM Hartington

Start Point: SK128603 : Hartington 10 miles M

Route: Hartington - Biggin Dale - Wolfscote Dale - Milldale - Alstonefield - Hartington

Details: The home of Stilton, five valleys in a day, National Nature Reserves, a famous packhorse bridge and the haunt of the Compleat Angler.

Leader: Louisa [email protected] July

Tuesday 01 July 2014 7:00:00 PM Ratby Burroughs Geocaching Walk

Start Point: SK498062 : Ratby 2.5 miles E

Route: Burroughs Road - Bridleway - Cow Lane - Ratby Burroughs - Ratby.

Details: A short walk. It didn't happen last year, but it now includes 12 Geocaches (for those that don't know what I'm talking about see: http://www.geocaching.com/guide/). Bring your own GPS (preferably load the Geocaches on it first) or smartphone if you want to take part. Others who don't want to take part are welcome, but be prepared for lots of stopping. Meet in Ratby Burroughs Car Park.

Leader: Chris [email protected]

Wednesday 02 July 2014 7:00:00 PM Watermead Country Park (North)

Start Point: SK609095 : Thurmaston 4.5 miles L

Route: Mill Lane - Watermead (North) - Round some lakes - Mill Lane

Details: Park and meet in the free car park at the end of Mill Lane in Thurmaston. Leisurely evening walk into Watermead Park (North), with a loop of the lakes, before heading back off to the car park.

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Wednesday 16 July 2014 7:00:00 PM Gumley

Start Point: SP683899 : Gumley 4 miles E

Route: Gumley - Laughton - Gumley

Details: A walk from Gumley to Laughton and back to Gumley. Meeting outside the Bell Inn pub on Main Street Gumley.

Leader: Karl [email protected]

Wednesday 23 July 2014 7:00:00 PM Mountsorrel

Start Point: SK583147 : Mountsorrel 4.5 miles E

Route: Mountsorrel - Cossington - Mountsorrel

Details: Starting at the Mountsorrel Village Hall Car Park we will follow the River Soar to Cossington (Pub stop in Cossington) then back to Mountsorrel via a similar route.

Leader: Matthew [email protected]

Sunday 27 July 2014 10:30:00 AM Parsley Hay

Start Point: SK146637 : Buxton 10 miles M

Route: Parsley Hay - Upper Dovedale - Pilsbury Castle - Crowdecote - Earl Sterndale - Dowlow Quarry - Sparklow - Parsley Hay Details: Meet at Parsley Hay Cycle Hire Centre car park, sign posted off the A515 between Ashbourne and Buxton, Derbyshire. There are toilets and refreshments kiosk (usually open at 10:30) at the start of the walk. There is a very traditional unspoilt pub about half way at Earl Sterndale. Reasonable car parking charges apply at Parsley Hay. Nearer the time I may suggest camping for the weekend at Parsley Hay. The campsite is very basic with facilities consisting of a tap! But, with the tap you also get quiet evenings, very little light pollution, beautiful scenery and a camp fire! A stone’s throw away is a clean public toilet block. More info nearer the time via the LRWG Yahoo Groups.

Leader: Matt [email protected]

Wednesday 30 July 2014 7:00:00 PM Countesthorpe

Start Point: SP585955 : Countesthorpe 4.5 miles L

Route: Countesthorpe - Peatling Magna - Countesthorpe

Details: Meet at St Andrew’s Church on Main Street in the south Leicestershire village of Countesthorpe. We will stroll over to the picturesque village of Peatling Magna before returning to Countesthorpe.

Leader: Phil [email protected]

August

Sunday 03 August 2014 10:00:00 AM Leicestershire 3 Peaks

Start Point: SK489105 : Markfield 15 miles L

Route: Markfield - Newtown Linford - Old John - Beacon Hill - Bardon - Markfield

Details: Old John, Beacon Hill, and Bardon Hill all in one walk! Meet outside The Queen's Head in Markfield. (Based on http://www.nationalforest.org/document/visitor/charnwood_peaks.pdf but start/end point changed). Note 10AM Start.

Leader: Michael [email protected]

Wednesday 06 August 2014 7:00:00 PM Anstey

Start Point: SK548086 : Anstey 4.5 miles L

Route: Anstey - Bradgate Park - Cropston - Anstey

Details: Meeting at the Nook car park in Anstey. We'll head over to Bradgate Park, where we might spot some of the deer, then go past Cropston Reservoir to the village of Cropston before returning to Anstey.

Leader: Phil [email protected]

Sunday 10 August 2014 10:30:00 AM Seaton

Start Point: SP904981 : Uppingham 12.5 miles M

Route: Seaton (Rutland Round) - Morcott (RR) - Barrowden (Jurassic Way) - Shotley (road walk) - Harringworth (footpath) - Seaton Details: The usual lovely Rutland scenery. The Seaton viaduct, picturesque villages, the winding River Welland and near the end of the walk one of my favourite views from a hill near Shotley. Oh and I almost forgot there is sure to be a pub stop en route.

Leader: Matthew [email protected]

Tuesday 12 August 2014 7:00:00 PM Walton, Lutterworth

Start Point: SP597871 : Lutterworth 4.5 miles E

Route: Walton to Walton via some (possibly overgrown) footpaths and a little bit of road

Details: The Walton Wanderer. An evening stroll from this South Leicestershire village. Start from Dog & Gun. Please park considerately around the village but not in pub car park.

Leader: Ken [email protected]

Wednesday 13 August 2014 7:00:00 PM Hungarton

Start Point: SK690073 : Hungarton 4 miles E

Route: Hungarton - Cold Newton - Quenby Hall - Hungarton

Details: Starting at the village church, heading to Cold Newton, then on through the grounds of Quenby Hall and back for an optional early evening pint.

Leader: Alex [email protected]

Sunday 17 August 2014 10:30:00 AM Longnor

Start Point: SK088649 : Longnor 8.5 miles M

Route: Longnor - Earl Sterndale - Dowel Dale - Hollins Hill - Hollinsclough - Longnor

Details: We start at the Market Place in Longnor. The upper Dove Valley, an unusual pub sign, an unlucky church, tropical reefs, the dragon's back and the hamlet of Hollinsclough.

Leader: Ian [email protected]

Wednesday 20 August 2014 7:00:00 PM Long Whatton

Start Point: SK478235 : Long Whatton 5 miles E

Route: Long Whatton - Piper Wood - Shepshed - Long Whatton

Details: A Circular Walk starting from the Falcon pub in Long Whatton heading over towards Shepshed and back

Leader: David [email protected]

Sunday 24 August 2014 10:30:00 AM Area Event: Larry Ball Memorial Walk

Start Point: SK762117 : Burrough Hill 9 miles M

Route:

Details: Area walk hosted by Melton Group - Starting from Burrough Hill. More details to follow. If not available before programme printed then the information will be sent via Yahoo groups.

Leader: Area [email protected]

Wednesday 27 August 2014 7:00:00 PM Mountsorrel

Start Point: SK583147 : Mountsorrel 4.5 miles E

Route: Mountsorrel - Swithland - Mountsorrel

Details: A circular walk. Starting at the Mountsorrel Hall Car Park, we will follow parts of the Leicestershire Round to Swithland (Pub stop in Swithland) then return to Mountsorrel via footpaths and some road walking.

Leader: Matthew [email protected]

September

Sunday 07 September 2014 10:30:00 AM Carsington Water

Start Point: SK247497 : Wirksworth 8 miles L

Route: Anti-clockwise around the reservoir.

Details: Park in the Millfields Car Park and meet by the toilet block. I suggest following the brown tourist signs and not a sat nav to find the reservoir as mine takes me an interesting route. Parking is £2.50 all day. We are going to be following the red walking route for a complete 8 mile loop of the reservoir. Nearer the time I will be trying to book lunch at one of the pubs en route (email details to follow). Those not wanting to eat in the pub will be able to use the picnic benches at the nearby car park with views over the reservoir.

Leader: Angela [email protected]

Sunday 14 September 2014 10:30:00 AM Hallaton

Start Point: SP785965 : Hallaton 8 miles M

Route: Hallaton - Medbourne - Nevill Holt - Blaxton - Hallaton

Details: A shorter Sunday walk from the picturesque village of Hallaton in the rolling East Leicestershire countryside. The meeting point will be the Bewicke Arms in the centre of the village. We will walk through the small village of Slawston before arriving at the lunch stop in Medbourne, where, we could take lunch at the Nevill Arms which also has a cafe and serves excellent cakes. After lunch, we’ll go through the hamlets of Nevill Holt and Blaston before returning to Hallaton.

Leader: Phil [email protected]

Sunday 21 September 2014 10:30:00 AM Branston

Start Point: SK810294 : Branston 9 miles M

Route: Branston - Croxton Kerrial - Salt Road - Viking Way - The Drift - marked footpath - local permissive path - marked footpath - Branston Details: The Headless Abbot and the King's Gizzards. Meet at The Wheel pub. Park on the road. There will be history: this route takes in some ancient tracks, the outskirts of a WW2 airfield, a pub stop, the site of a ruined medieval abbey, and about nine miles of pleasant scenery at the edge of Leicestershire. Easy if it's dry, a little more challenging if muddy.

Leader: Keith [email protected]

Sunday 28 September 2014 10:30:00 AM The Belvoir Horseshoe

Start Point: SK696262 : Melton Mowbray 13 miles M

Route: Nether broughton - Wartnerby - Grimston - Old Dalby - Hickling Standard - Hickling - Nether Broughton

Details: Meet at Nether Broughton Church. The ridges of Green Hill, Longcliffe Hill and Hickling Standard form a natural horseshoe around the picturesque village of Nether Broughton on the Leics/Notts border. We also take in the beautiful woodlands and parklands between Grimston and Old Dalby.

Leader: Mark [email protected]

October

Sunday 05 October 2014 10:30:00 AM The Roaches and Lud's Church

Start Point: SK007633 : Upper Hulme 9 miles M

Route: The Roaches - Lud's Church - Gradbach Wood - Black Brook - The Roaches

Details: Roadside parking area at the Roaches, just to the north of Upper Hulme.

Leader: Andrea [email protected]

Sunday 12 October 2014 10:30:00 AM Mountsorrel

Start Point: SK581150 : Mountsorrel 9 miles E

Route: Mountsorrel - Barrow upon Soar - Seagrave - Walton on the Wolds - Mountsorrel

Details: 9 miles from Mountsorrel, taking in the villages of Barrow upon Soar, Seagrave and Walton on the Wolds. meet at Mountsorrel Library, Leicester Rd.

Leader: Rob [email protected]

Sunday 26 October 2014 10:30:00 AM Knossington

Start Point: SK799088 : Oakham 11 miles M

Route: Knossington - Cold Overton - Northfield Farm - Ranksborough Hill - Langham - Glebe Farm - Cold Overton Park Wood - Knossington. Details: A walk over the border in Rutland. We will take in the Rutland county highest point which towers 197m above sea level !! Bring your hill legs it could be a slog :) Meet outside the Fox & Hounds Pub.

Leader: Matthew [email protected]

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