A Jaunt Through the Leicestershire Countryside

From the car park, John led us along Main Street and we took the footpath through the field, leading to the well-trodden bridleway favoured by the Weekday Walkers. Shortly after the track bore left to join Arnesby Road, a footpath struck out directly towards Arnesby. This was our path of choice—bold, direct, and, on the day, not too muddy. However, for those seeking a more scenic (or possibly less boot-swallowing) route, an alternative path skirted around the field. At the last field before Arnesby, the official footpath was supposed to cut diagonally across, though any visible evidence of this was purely theoretical. Instead, the well-worn track continued past the farm entrance, and many walkers—both two-legged and four-pawed—wisely opted for this instead.

Upon reaching Arnesby Road we performed the delicate art of crossing the ever-busy A5199, ensuring we didn’t lose any members of the group in the process. A quick hop over a stile brought us into the heart of Arnesby, where a right, then a left, led us to the infamous windmill. Built in 1815, this Grade II listed landmark was extensively restored in 1976 and remains one of the village’s most striking features.

We followed the footpath past the playing fields before tackling two stiles at the entrance to the mill. From here, our route led us all the way to Peatling Magna, with a few more stiles thrown in along the way—because no walk is complete without a mini obstacle course. The path took us to All Saints Church for a strategic coffee stop.

Back in 1265, the villagers of Peatling Magna found themselves at the heart of a medieval showdown worthy of a Monty Python skit. After the Battle of Evesham, they boldly refused to cooperate with the victorious royal forces, accusing them of acting “against the welfare of the community of the realm.” Their defiance landed them in hot water, with village representatives summoned to court—a classic tale of the little guy standing up to authority, pitchforks and all!

After this brief stop, we picked up the footpath heading southeast to Shearsby, where the red flags on the map suggested three more stiles stood between us and our next destination. A gentle warm-up, perhaps, for any future Olympic hurdling ambitions.

Upon reaching Shearsby, we had the option to finish the rest of our lunch in the park near The Chandler’s Arms. Given the distance covered, it would have been downright rude not to pop into the local hostelry. A lively little pub, The Chandler’s Arms served a fine selection of local ales. While primarily a drinker’s pub, it had also earned a solid reputation for its food—so resisting the temptation to settle in for the afternoon required considerable willpower.

The Shearsby windmill had a history as dramatic as its counterpart in Arnesby. In December 1836, miller John Wylde met an untimely end when a sudden gust slammed a door into him, causing fatal injuries. Even earlier, in 1782, young Thomas Weston was tragically “catched up in the mill.” Picturesque though they may be, windmills clearly had their darker side.

The final stretch of our journey followed the Leicestershire Round, taking us past Rowley Fields Farm and onwards to Fleckney Road. From here, the stalwarts carried on along the Round, looping back via the footpath west of the village and emerging onto Arnesby Road and Main Street—arriving at The Golden Shield a little bit later.

The walk flirted with the 9-mile mark but remained a relatively easy-going affair—nothing too gruelling, just a few gentle undulations to keep things interesting and a generous helping of stiles to keep us on our toes (or at least test our flexibility). Thankfully, our chosen route avoided the worst of the countryside’s current mud-bath offerings, so there was no need for snorkels or rescue teams to retrieve lost boots along the way!