Breedon Circular

I spent the evening investigating the Breedon Circular - Walk number 12 in the book.

Route: Breedon Green - The Delph - Breedon Church - Squirrel Lane - Golf course - Green Lane - Golf course - Breedon Green.

Wonderful evening light at the top of Breedon Hill, an enchanted spot.

The view below was taken looking towards East Midlands Airport. I was fascinated by the closeness of farming to the airport.

I managed to scout the route down to Breedon where there were unsurprisingly no problems.

But there was a missing fingerpost on the path down to Squirrel Lane from the church (reported). The route across the golf course is fine, so is the section along the Green Lane past Park Farm.

Breedon Priory Church

The only section I haven't checked is the part of the route from Green Lane back to Breedon. This weekend's job!

Stanton-by-Bridge Paths: Eastern side

Sign at the Stanton end of the Causeway.

Looks like this sign has been clattered by a vehicle at the Stanton end of the Causeway.

Route in Google Maps - an experiment.

Route: Stanton Oak - Derby Road south - Waterworks - Pylon - Wards Lane - Stanton Barn - Hollow Farm - Causeway - path back up to Stanton east of Hollies Farm.

I took the route above to check out a few paths that sometimes have problems. It's also a pleasant and interesting stroll that takes about 40 mins at a very leisurely pace.

As it turned out the most difficult part of the walk was crossing the main road after parking close to the Turkey Oak in Stanton. Turning into the track by the Waterworks I spotted an old footpath sign in the trees which had become engulfed in branches. The marker on the stile opposite had gone. The path moves uphill skirting a wood on your left until you reach a stile by an electricity pylon where you turn left. At this point there is a new byway notice prohibiting the driving of motorcycles - no doubt a problem here. The first property on the left always seems to house some very noisy dogs.

Walking down to Stanton Barn you spot a quarry on your left. I am always surprised how quiet and rural it is here considering you are not too far from the Causeway. The track leads back to the Causeway past a timbered house, yards and a small holding.

Crossing the busy main road again the path is not clear as the finger post has been clattered (above). The route then winds back to Stanton passing very close to well tendered gardens and greenhouses.

Swarkestone Massey's Bridge Footpath

Footpath from Massey's Bridge to Swarkestone Church (Swarkestone FP4).

After being unwalkable for some time due to a dense crop, the path is now open again and is clearly marked.

Dimminsdale Circular

View of Staunton Harold through the Deer Park wall close to the Dimminsdale car park.
Route: Dimminsdale car park (Severn Trent) - Dimminsdale - Heath End -Staunton Harold - Permissive path - Deer Park wall - Dimminsdale car park. 4.3 km. Walk 11 in the book.

Lots of recent work in Dimminsdale - new boardwalks and bridges - has made this route easier to walk in damp weather. The route through Heath End is clear as the book leads you down the main vehicle access to Heath End's vernacular buildings. Leicestershire CC has installed several new Centrewire metal swing gates along the route (below).

Looking towards cottages at Staunton Harold

The path from Heath End to Staunton Harold was rather squelchy. The posted bulletin from John Blunt (owner of Staunton Harold) was amusing as usual. Look out for it on the noticeboard opposite the Ferrers Centre. Staunton Harold as always was a "picture" with its wonderful lawns for public use.

The only anomaly that occured to me on the walk was the spelling of Keith's Clump (as it appears in the book). The sign provided by the Staunton Harold estate reads Keiths's Clump. Is this a misplaced apostrophe or have we made a mistake?

New bridge at Dimminsdale

Heath End - Sign to nowhere

The above sign can be seen by the side of the track to Heath End passing by the long closed and lamented Saracens Head PH.

The track is not very clear and a bit forbidding to walk as you pass in front of what is now a private house with a "grand" drive and posh gate.

I hope that Leicstershire County Council Rights of Way officers (who are excellent) will improve the marking here and reposition the sign in the correct direction and chop down the offending foliage.

Melbourne to Breedon

Old sign on Melbourne Lane, Breedon.
Photo taken about 2004. Now gone.

Route: Parish Church - Pool - Weir - Chestnut Park - Green Lane, Wilson - Golf Course - Melbourne Lane - Wilson - Chestnut Park - Melbourne. 5 km. Walk 2 in the book.
A breezy day with sunny spells. Pleasant walking. Newish stiles in Chestnut Park, especially good one at the top of the hill.
Still no finger post on the Derbyshire side of Green Lane opposite the handsome Leicestershire sign pointing across the golf course.


Green Lane Wilson - footpath sign still missing despite being reported.
The golf course seemed different - new tree planting? Certainly very attractive. At the Melbourne Lane end of the golf course Leicestershire has installed a metal kissing gate. Very sensible - should last 50 years without much maintenance. Melbourne Lane is always a delight even with the occasional car passing by. It was a blow however not to be able to find the sign at the top of this post, one of my favourites. It got me thinking about how important it is that we preserve these lovely old signposts. The one at Riding Bank sprung into mind.

The walk back to Wilson is along the road. This wasn't too bad with not a great deal of traffic. Great to see the Bulls' Head is open again and is serving Everards Tiger!

The stroll back through Chestnut Park was enjoyable as usual with its panorama over Melbourne, the Hall and the Parish Church.

Market Gardening

Please click on photo to view large.

It's amazing how quickly you are into the country from Melbourne.

This shot was taken early one morning from the footpath that runs north east from Melbourne cemetery to Kings Newton.

Breedon-on-the-hill church can be spied in the distance.