Walking is a great way to pass the time together and stay active even as the temperatures start to drop. It is also one of the most accessible forms of exercise available: 94% of people in Leicestershire live within 500 metres of a Public Right of Way – meaning your autumn adventures can be started right from your doorstep.
Wherever you choose to walk, take notice of your surroundings, be in the moment, and boost your wellbeing.
The people who know our paths
The Public Rights of Way (PROW) team are one of our key crews making our county a pleasant place to live. The team are out almost every day to keep the paths clear and usable.
Did you know?
The PROW team look after over 1900 miles of public rights of way in Leicestershire – that’s the equivalent of a straight path from Leicester to Cyprus! This includes:
Around 1515 miles of footpath
Around 350 miles of bridleway
Approx. 35 miles of byway for all traffic
9 miles of restricted byway
Last year, 62 volunteers for the PROW team put in 682 hours of work, helping to:
Clear routes
Survey paths
Research paths to be added to or altered on the Definitive Map
Work alongside residents to improve access
Maintain the Leicestershire Round.
One of the oldest paths still in use today, ‘Salt Street’ on Byway Q4a, near Appleby Magna, is at least a thousand years old – and may even date back to Roman Britain!
Walks around Leicestershire for everyone to enjoy
The PROW team recommended some walks for people of all ages and abilities to try this Active Travel Month | Choose How You Move.
Explore the walks below, divided into categories - with a few personal favourites from the PROW team too:
What sort of walker are you?
Family-oriented walkers
Bosworth Battlefield has a whole range of activities for a great day out with the family, with a discovery centre, café and country park. For a wider walk (with older kids), a 2.5-mile circuit (PDF) will immerse you in the rich history of the Bosworth area.
Wildlife watchers
Watermead Country Park is a boon for birdwatchers and local nature lovers, boasting over 200 species of bird. Wildlife from the past and present can be found here, like the endangered sand martin, and Auroch bones (ancient primitive ox) found near King Lear’s Lake.
Historical rambles
Foxton Locks is a perfect place for a weekend stroll, with canals that have stayed largely unchanged since 1818. Find out more about the history of the canals at Foxton Canal Museum, and enjoy shorter and longer walks (PDF) around the area.
Beacon Hill’s geology is some of the oldest in the world, and areas around the summit have been designated a Special Ancient Monument (SAM). It’s also the site of a Bronze Age Hill Fort, with archaeological discoveries of Bronze Age weapons and jewellery.
The literary walker
Ashby-de-la-Zouch is known as the setting for The Diaries of Adrian Mole by famed local author Sue Townsend, and Ashby Castle is also mentioned in Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.
You can find walks around the Ashby area with a range of lengths, from short walks to longer adventures.
Serious about summits
Famous for its deer park, its sweeping vistas and its ancient and modern history, Bradgate Park is always a local favourite. The PROW team recommended a walk from Anstey to Bradgate Park | Discover Charnwood to get you started. At Bradgate, you can climb up to Old John and see for miles and get a hot chocolate at the café to warm you up.
Beacon Hill’s stunning views at the summit make walking in the area especially breath-taking, with woodland walks to see the burst of autumn colours, with its own great café near the bottom car park.
Short walks
There are plenty of routes on the Choose How You Move website for local walks in your area, so you can get started with something small. Country parks also provide shorter routes for walkers of all ages, abilities, and interests, to make sure walking is accessible to everyone:
Mount St Bernard’s Abbey, an hour’s circular walk.
Asfordby – Frisby loop (Walk 1 (PDF)) – with young trees, riverside views, and two rail crossings.
Long walks
The Leicestershire Round is a 100-mile route that forms a ring around Leicester in the county. Designed in 1977 by the Leicestershire Footpath Association, the PROW team work with local volunteers to keep it maintained. The Round is popular with serious walkers and is also a great challenge for charity walks.
Plan your walks with Choose How You Move
There’s no better time to put on your walking boots and explore the lovely landscapes of Leicestershire!
The Choose How You Move website has maps of over 100 different routes across the county and city.
Uncover everything Leicestershire has to offer by visiting our walking maps | Choose How You Move.
Could you become a volunteer for the PROW team? Find out more about volunteering | Leicestershire County Council.
For more ideas and resources to help you take notice and boost your wellbeing, visit the Start A Conversation website.