Tilton on the Hill, Halstead, Oswton
by John B
We park up in Marefield Lane (///widely.abruptly.shower) and set off along the road in a northerly direction. Then it’s right onto a short section of footpath leading to Oakham Road. We turn off Oakham Road onto Halstead House Lane and follow this around the farm until the lane runs out and the real walk begins!
Now, it’s footpath and stiles, lots of them, all the way northeastwards to Owston. We emerge onto Main Street and bear right to head towards Hill Top Farm. At the junction with Long Lane and Whatborough Road we turn down the latter until we reach a footpath on the left. This path leads through Owston Woods, crosses Oakham Road, and ends at Withcote Hall. There is a lovely pond along here where we can have a brief rest and a bite to eat or a coffee.
After this respite, we charge along a bridle way, passing Avenue Farm, Cottage Farm, and Withcote Hall itself. When we reach a junction with another bridleway, we turn right and join the Leicestershire Round for a short spell. We turn off the “Round” and head west along another bridleway until we reach Loddington Road – a very narrow country lane. We turn right along the lane and follow it over Oxey Cross Roads, past Oxey Farm, and both Robin-a-Tiptoe Farm and Robin-a-Tiptoe Hill – originally called Howback Hill, it gained its current name from a legend about a tall sheep-stealer named Robin who was hanged there but survived because his toes touched the ground!
Loddington Road veers left where it meets Tugby Road that veers right. We go over a stile to continue in the same direction that we were heading in. The undulation along this last leg is not as bad as it has been and, after hurdling over a few stiles, we emerge back onto Loddington Road. A right turn, and a bit of a plod, and we find Main Street and head north along it passing the Rose and Crown – closed on Tuesdays – and onto Marefield Road and transportation.
There we have it. 13.1 miles of undulation and numerous stiles. Hopefully, very little mud – no guarantee!
TuesDay Walks
These walks are longer than average and range from 8 to 13 miles.
Walks starting from the car park will be at the earlier time of 9:00 a.m.
Information about trips by Bus will be posted on the website and the WhatsApp group.
Provisionally, walks are planned for alternate Tuesdays.
This list will be updated from time to time.
24th March - Tugby by John
7th April - Welham by John
21st April - Pitsford Water by Phil (bus)
5th May - Tilton by John
19th May - Yelvertoft by John
2nd June - T.B.A.
16th June - Hallaton by John
30th June - T.B.A.
14th July - Derbyshire? by John
28th July - Derbyshire? by John
11th August - T.B.A.
25th August - T.B.A.
8th September - T.B.A.
22nd September - T.B.A.