Normanton le Heath Parish Walks

Normanton le Heath is a small village approximately 4.5km south east of Ashby de la Zouch, in western Leicestershire. It can be reached from either Ashby, on the Ashby Road via Packington, or from Ibstock via Heather.
The name Normanton le Heath derives from the existence of a Norwegian (Northmen) settlement ('tun'), on the open heath. The Church of Holy Trinity in Normanton le Heath dates back to the C14th. The spire can be seen from miles around, providing a good point of orientation. Both of these walks allow you to take in the great views across the lower lying countryside and Ashby de la Zouch
Parking: is easiest along the quiet Main Street near the church. To begin the walks, as you face the church head left up Main Street. At the road crossing go straight over into School Lane. Look out for a waymarked stile in the hedge just after the first house on your left.

Where is Normanton le Heath? Normanton is south of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Walk 1: 4kms (2.5miles), allow 45 minutes, relatively flat, mostly surfaced track, some gentle inclines.
Cross the stile and follow the waymarkers through the paddocks of horses. Continue to follow the waymarkers across the fields until a house comes into view ahead. By aiming slightly to the right of this house you will meet an enclosed track (a byway).
A. At this point turn right and follow the track for about 0.5km. Turn right and stay on the track all the way back to the village cross roads, then back down Main Street.

Walk 2: 6kms (3.6miles), allow 1.5 hours, relatively flat with some inclines.
For walk 2, follow the directions for walk 1 to point A. Go straight over the enclosed track and onto the footpath up the hill, passing to the right of Ross Knob House. Cross the stile and continue in the same direction towards the plantation. Here you will join a track heading towards Alton Grange.
1. After a short distance cut off right before a pond and over the stile. Continue to follow the waymarkers to the right-hand corner of the field and across the next field to a track. Turn right and follow the track up the hill, where it will eventually become hedged on both sides.
2. Leave the track when it takes a sharp right hand bend, and follow the footpath through the mature wood and into the newly planted section. On meeting another track turn left. Continue along this track until this then takes another sharp right hand bend. At this point continue straight over to a footpath which becomes enclosed by hedges. Once at the road, cross over into The Hollow, then at the T junction turn right to return to the church on Main Street.
As you walk along The Hollow, notice the farmhouses either side of the road. Potwell's and Manor are both 18th Century, Grade 2 listed buildings. Also, both have tree plantations which were designed and planted in 1992 and 1993 as part of the National Forest.

Refreshments: A small shop in Heather.