Muston Parish Walk

2km (1.2miles), allow 45 minutes, easy level ground, Parking: Muston Gap PH
Leaving Muston Gap Public House car park, cross Church Lane to a stile in the corner of the field and follow the path to Skerry Lane. Follow the lane bearing left, then at the junction turn right past the colourful cottage gardens to reach Corner Farm.
A. Turn left taking the footpath to the left of a large barn and farmyard, then cross the bridge over the River Devon. A prominent ditch and bank in the field marks the site of a medieval building. Cross the fields towards farm buildings ahead, and cross the stile to Easthorpe Lane. Walkers from Bottesford will join the route here
B. Continue along Woolsthorpe Lane past farms and pretty gardens to the Market Cross. Turn left by the Cross, down the slope and re-cross the River Devon. Bear left, slightly uphill to a stile leading to Muston Parish Churchyard. To the right of the medieval church is the handsome rectory, which became home to the poet George Crabbe in 1789. Walk through the churchyard to Church Lane. If you have time, turn left over the bridge, sharp left and you will find a quiet garden to sit in. A children's play area is nearby. Turn right and follow the lane back to the Muston Gap PH

Follow the directions for Walk 1 until you reach point B. Instead of turning left by the cross, continue along the road to the end of the village, then turn right along the track with views towards Belvoir Castle and the Ridge. The hedge alongside this track is great for blackberries. Continue along the track past a footpath going off to the left. Take the next footpath left, through Muston Meadows Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature. This is one of the finest lowland meadows in England and known for its colony of over 10,000 green-winged orchids. Bear right through the narrow field to the crossing in the field boundary. Then heading for the castle, carry straight on to meet the track once more.
1. As the path meets the track again, turn left. After 80 metres turn right to cut across two fields. Turn left when you meet another track, then left again.
2. Follow the towpath with Grantham canal on your right. Pass the brick arch of Longore Bridge (bridge No. 58) In Spring, wildflowers thrive with swans and geese adding to the enchantment. See if you can spot the old white canal sign - 253?4 miles from the Trent.
3. Just after Muston Bridge (bridge no. 59), follow the track away from the canal, then left to join the wooded route of a disused mineral railway line. Iron ore was once mined from Belvoir escarpment and hauled along this track. Sustrans now maintain it as part of the national cycle network - route 15.
4. Continue until you reach a small parking area and a track crossing. Leave the old railway line and follow the road back towards the village. On reaching the village Cross turn right down the slope and cross the River Devon. Bear left, slightly uphill to the churchyard, on reaching the lane turn right back to the Muston Gap PH.