This walking and cycling route follows the River Soar and Grand Union Canal out of Leicester, north through Watermead Country Park to Cossington. Route 1 GREEN 7 Belgrave 11 Thurmaston Key Belgrave Hall is in the conservation Thurmaston village is linked to Birstall Shops and other services nearby area of the former village of Belgrave, by one of the many Connect2 routes. now a bustling suburb of Leicester. It is only a mile across Watermead Bike parking The hall was built in the 18th century, Country Park from village to village and is open to the public, an oasis of using the new route. Bike shop or bike mechanic nearby peace and quiet in a busy city. Belgrave The bridges at Thurmaston Lock is today known for its vibrant Asian (improved as part of the Sustrans community, including the jewellers of Connect2 project) lead you out through Rest area or picnic spot the ‘Golden Mile’ and the largest Diwali Mill Lane to Melton Road - home to celebrations outside of India. village shops and pubs. Across the Public house www.leicester.gov.uk/museums A607 (road bridges help pedestrians and cyclists cross the dual carriageway) Belgrave Hall, 0116 266 6590 is Thurmaston Shopping Centre, Café or place to eat including shops, places to eat and a superstore. Mowmacre Hill Leicester National 8 1 4 (for Great Central City Centre Space Centre Railway) 12 Watermead Country Leicester is a city of arts, culture, The National Space Centre is the Park (North) history, festivals, attractions, shopping largest attraction dedicated to space in Mowmacre Hill is home to one of and food and drink. Explore the past the UK. Home to a 360° planetarium, Leicester’s hidden gems – the Leicester The northern end of Watermead at the city’s museums, including the the National Space Centre features North Station of the Great Central Country Park, much like the southern, Guildhall, built in the 1300s or stay in hands-on, interactive exhibits across six Railway (a popular preserved steam is an area of wetlands. The largest lake the 21st century with a shopping trip to galleries. Highlights include the Rocket railway). Trains run throughout the is King Lear’s Lake, a popular fi s h i n g Highcross Leicester. Tower, and a 3D simulated space ride. year, and dining cars offer excellent spot, also used by several clubs and There is bike parking throughout the www.spacecentre.co.uk food and views across the Charnwood societies including triathletes, open city, and a secure ‘Bike Park’ with shower 0845 605 2001 countryside. water swimming clubs, Newfoundland dog teams and model boaters. The facilities in the Town Hall Square. www.gcrailway.co.uk www.goleicestershire.com 01509 632323 lake’s edge is home to a dinosaur play trail and close-by is a bird hide and wild 0844 888 5181 (Visitor Information) fl ower meadow. Abbey Pumping Watermead Country Close to Thurmaston Lock Bridge, 5 9 a short walk from King Lear’s Lake is Station Park (South) a ‘portrait bench’ depicting a Bronze Age man and woman and an Aurochs 2 The Rally Park Abbey Pumping Station, is the Space This is the southern end of the park Centre’s historic but equally innovative (an extinct wild ox). Bronze Age human The Rally is a wedge of parkland which which stretches from Belgrave up to neighbour. Together, the two attractions remains and those of an Aurochs were is skirted by terraced back gardens and Syston. Watermead was created in tell the story of 200 years of science found in the park’s former life as a the Grand Union Canal. Once part of the 1980s by Leicester City Council, and technology. gravel pit. The bench commemorates the historic Leicester and Swannington Leicestershire County Council, and Opened in 1891, the Pumping Sustrans’ Connect2 project and was Railway, it now features a BMX trail, Charnwood Borough Council, using land Station pumped Leicester’s sewage installed in 2011. football pitch and children’s play area. reclaimed from former gravel pits. to the treatment works at Beaumont www.leics.gov.uk/watermead The Rally is a ‘crossroads’ for It is a haven for wildlife and a Leys. The grand Victorian building Leicester’s cycle network, with routes peaceful stretch of countryside, easily 0116 305 5000 and beautifully decorated beam to the north towards Watermead accessible for many people. One of engines were a cause of great civic Country Park, and south along the Watermead Country Park South’s best pride. When it closed in 1964, the Great Central Way towards Blaby and known features is a life size replica of a site was preserved because of the four beyond. Other routes lead to the City Mammoth, sitting atop a hill with great magnifi cent beam steam engines that 13 Syston Centre, Beaumont Leys and Leicester’s views of the park. were used to pump the sewage. West End. The park is largely a wetland area Syston town centre lies to the north www.leicester.gov.uk/museums www.leicester.gov.uk/parks with two lakes and a Climate Play Trail. east of Watermead Country Park. The 0116 299 5111 Running through the Park are the River town features a large shopping area 0116 252 7003 Soar and Grand Union Canal which and has a railway station with links to provide an essential corridor for wildlife. Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham Cycling and walking paths (including and beyond. National Cycle Route 6) run throughout Just across Wanlip Lane from the 3 Abbey Park 6 Leicester Outdoor the park. northern entrance is the Hope and www.leicester.gov.uk/parks Anchor pub, popular with canal boaters. Abbey Park lies approximately a mile Pursuits Centre 0116 252 7003 This is one of several pubs and places north of the City Centre. The River 15 acres of adventure in the heart of to eat in the area. Soar divides this beautiful park into two Leicester. Leicester Outdoor Pursuits distinct areas. To the east of the river Centre provides adventurous outdoor 10 Birstall lies the Victorian part of the park with activity experiences from abseiling and its evergreen shrubberies, trees, boating canoeing to team-building and ziplines. A short walk or cycle ride from the lake, Chinese themed friendship garden, The Centre offers educational and Mammoth fi nds you at Birstall Lock. 14 Cossington sensory garden and fl ower displays. developmental courses in a challenging The bridge at the lock is now fully Cossington is a small village to the West of the river lies the fascinating and safe environment. accessible to cyclists, people using north of Watermead Country Park. Abbey Grounds with remains of the www.lopc.co.uk wheelchairs and parents with buggies. The village is home to two garden twelfth century Leicester Abbey and the 0116 268 1426 The bridge was revamped as part of centres and a public house, The ruins of a seventeenth century mansion, Sustrans’ Connect2 project. Royal Oak. as well as the popular Pets Corner and On the other side of the bridge sits a childrens’ play area. the scenic White Horse pub, and it’s www.leicester.gov.uk/parks only a short walk from here to the 0116 252 7003 shops and services of Birstall. Shared paths Cossington LEICESTERSHIRE LEICESTER Most of the paths on this route are for the shared use of pedestrians and cyclists. River Soar Cyclists should ride considerately on these paths, slowing down and alerting pedestrians to their presence as Syston early as possible. Watermead Pedestrians should be aware of cyclists’ presence in this area, Country Park and that there is no designated part of the path for a cyclist to (North) ride, so they may be passed on either side. A shared path means exactly that, it is for use by everyone, so using it in a safe and courteous manner is important. Watermead Country Park Thurmaston Thurmaston Birstall Birstall Mowmacre Hill Watermead (for Great Central Railway) Country Park The replica of a mammoth at (South) Watermead Country Park Great Central Railway at Outdoor Mowmacre Hill Pursuits Rushey Mead Centre Belgrave Abbey Pumping Station National Space Centre Abbey Park Belgrave Hall Abbey Curve theatre in the heart of Leicester Rally Park Park For more maps and information on cycling and walking in Leicester and Leicestershire visit: Rally Park Leicester City Centre www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk www.leicester.gov.uk/cycle-city K1253.