Walk 5: Leicester Forest East to Braunstone Town

A distance of 3 miles taking approximately 1 hour from the residential area of Leicester Forest East through attractive countryside and the Thorpe Astley Development in Braunstone Town.

Parking

Parking may be available at the Red Cow Public House after seeking the Landlord’s approval.

Bus Services

Arriva operates bus services along the A47 Hinckley Road and also into Kirby Muxloe Village along Kirby Lane (B5380). A service also operates along Warren Lane. Bus Stops can be found in the proximity of the starting point for the walk.

Ease of Access

This walk is suitable for prams and wheelchairs until you reach the open countryside after Forest House Lane.

Start

START at the Red Cow Public House, Hinckley Road (A47) and from the car park turn right and cross to the pavement on the left hand side crossing over the road named Stafford Leys and continuing as far as a gap in the hedge which takes you into St David’s Close.

Walk the whole length of the Close and fork left into Warren Lane proceeding on the left hand side as far as the tarmac footpath on your left.

Turn left into the tree lined footpath entrance and passing through a landscaped area cross Teal Close eventually reaching the junction of Lark Close and Woodpecker Rise. With Lark Close ahead of you proceed along its whole length where you will find a waymarker sign on your left.

Take this footpath through a landscaped area, making certain to bear to your left where the path diverges, to take you into Harvester Close. Proceed along the Close, passing Plough Close on your right, to the junction with Forest House Lane. Turn left and then right as directed by the waymarker sign arriving at a ‘kissing gate’.

(not suitable for prams and wheelchairs beyond this point)

Passing through the gate and across a footbridge, turn left and then right with the field boundary hedge to your left and barbed wire to your right. At this juncture be sure to comply with the requests printed on the notice attached to the pylon.

Head for the next waymarker where you cross a stile at the field boundary then onwards bearing to your left and crossing a stile to enter into a tiny enclosed area with barbed wire to your right and a hedge to your left. Cross the stile at the waymarker and proceed diagonally across the field noting the location of Old Warren Farm on your right.

On reaching a further waymarker, adjacent to the residential area on your left, cross the stile and pass over a footbridge with a pond on your left. Walk along the field hedge for three fields crossing stiles and following the waymarkers. Still following the hedge boundary you reach a stream where two waymarkers direct you across a footbridge and onwards along the field edge bounding the M1 Motorway Leicester Forest East Service Station.

Join Walk 4 from the point marked *** in the text.

TO RETURN TO LEICESTER FOREST EAST: FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR WALK 2.

TO RETURN VIA ENDERBY: FOLLOW WALKS 1, 4 AND 3.

Map

Acknowledgements

This webpage uses the text of the 2002 Golden Jubilee Walks leaflet, by permission from the Stepping Stones Countryside Management Project