Walk 6: Leicester Forest to Enderby

A distance of 3 miles taking approximately 1 hour from the residential area of Leicester Forest East through attractive countryside to Braunstone Town.

Parking

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

Bus Service

Arriva operates bus services along the A47 Hinckley Road and also into Kirby Muxloe Village along Kirby Lane (B58380). 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 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 indicating a footpath on your left.

Take this footpath, and after a few yards take the right fork, which meanders along its way to Copse Close and proceed to the junction with Forest House Lane. Turn left into Forest House Lane and then right at the green waymarker as directed.

(not suitable for prams and wheelchairs beyond this point).

Crossing a stile at the edge of the residential development take the field footpath as indicated by the yellow waymarkers ahead and on your right. At the boundary of the fields, with a prominent tree on your left, cross the stile and follow in the direction indicated by the yellow waymarker keeping a hawthorn hedge to your left.

Reaching a stile at the metalled Lubbesthorpe Bridle Road turn left and follow the road, taking care not to take a left hand fork to Old Warren Farm. The road meanders along its way reaching the entrance to New House Farm, which is seen across the field on your right.

The green waymarker directs you along the grass verge at the side of the farm track. On reaching the farm, pass through a gate and skirt the boundary fence until you reach the field corner where a yellow waymarker disk directs you over a stile and a gate. Cross this field heading for the prominent tree, to your right, near to the far field corner.

After climbing the stile cross the field diagonally to your left to the far field hedgerow, where you will find a footbridge with handrails. After crossing the bridge you bear diagonally left heading for the gates at the break in the hedge.

On reaching the gates a waymarker directs you along a field edge with a hawthorn hedge to your left. Climbing the slope and continuing, with the hedge still to your left, the granite wall of an abandoned quarry comes into view towering over an industrial site and the M69 Motorway below.

When the path reaches the M69 Motorway Boundary Fence a waymarker directs you alongside the fence to a footbridge in the hedge to your left. A waymarker sign, either side of the footbridge, directs you along this now enclosed footpath, with the M69 Motorway remaining on your left and the Electricity Power Station on your right. Crossing another stile continue as directed by the waymarker.

On reaching the stile and waymarker at the embankment climb the steps and the safety barrier to bring you on to Desford Road-Mill Hill (B582). Turn left crossing the M69 Motorway and continue up Mill Hill to its junction with Conery Lane. Turn right into the Lane and proceed to the brow of the slope where you will see a footpath (jitty) on the left. Go through the kissing gate and between the houses after which the route widens on its way to Moores Lane. At this juncture make a right turn with the rear boundary wall of Cliffe House to your left. Follow the enclosed footpath as it turns to the right and the left to each Chapel Lane, with the United Reformed Church ahead. Turn left on Chapel Lane to reach the New Inn on your left being the FINISH of this walk.

TO RETURN TO LEICESTER FOREST EAST: FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR WALK 3.

TO RETURN VIA BRAUNSTONE TOWN FOLLOW WALKS 4 AND 2.

Map

Acknowledgements

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