Fleckney, Smeeton Westerby, Saddington – by road!
Leader: Phil
All Sunday walks start with a gathering at Fleckney village car park (///loses.always.huts) at 9:30 a.m.
This local walk is designed to be as mud-free as possible by keeping to tarmac wherever possible.
We leave the car park and head across the ridge and furrow fields to the bridge over the canal, and then up through Millennium Wood, over Kibworth Road – carefully – and onto Mill Lane. This section of the walk into Smeeton Westerby is by far the worst, mud-wise, and is therefore dealt with first. The remainder of the walk is along roads and thus mud-free – unless we have to jump to the side of the road to avoid being knocked down by traffic.
Safety is the order of the day, and it is probably best to stay in single or double file where there are no pavements or paths – most of the rest of the route.
We turn right when we reach Main Street and take the left fork when we get to the allotments. We are now traversing Gumley Road, which takes us to, you guessed it, Gumley. Actually, it doesn’t; it takes us to Debdale Lane, and it leads to Gumley. By now, we are over halfway, and therefore, a coffee/lunch stop may be in order. We could make a quick detour to the church where we have often snacked, or we could venture as far as The Bell if we are thirsty!
The walk continues down the narrow lane with no name to Saddington Reservoir. The first bit of this lane is steep and downhill – a pain in old knees, but better than climbing up it! When we reach the ressie, it’s best to clamber up the steps and wander along the “sea-wall”. This avoids a downhill and uphill section and gives the opportunity to admire the wildlife on the water.
From here, it’s a case of meandering along to Mowsley Road, where a right turn will take us up the hill into Saddington and the welcoming embrace of the Queen’s Head for anyone fancying a drop of refreshment.
Once refreshed, the final mile of the walk does have a pavement – probably just as well as some of us may be thrice-refreshed!
Seven miles of stile-free, undulating (we can’t get around it) ambling that is as mud-free as a local walk can be.
The Walk of Wales - Prostate Cymru
General information:
The Fleckney Walking Club offers a range of walks for anyone who enjoys fresh air, good company, and the occasional debate about whose turn it is to get lost.
All walks start from Fleckney Village car park (What3Words: ///loses.always.huts).
Weekday Morning Walks
We head out every weekday at 8:30 a.m. for a 3–4 mile leg‑stretcher. These are friendly, local, and an excellent excuse to pretend we’re “morning people”.
Sunday Walks
Every Sunday we meet at 9:30 a.m.
The Sunday programme alternates each time:
- One week: a short walk (4–5 miles) with a coffee stop
- The next: a long walk (6–9 miles) with a pub stop
And so the cycle continues, like a well‑oiled machine… or at least a machine that’s had a coffee or a pint.
Good boots and weatherproof layers are strongly advised, especially for those who attract rainclouds. Bring refreshments too — a coffee or picnic stop is usually part of the ritual.
If we’re travelling outside Fleckney, car sharers are asked to contribute 20p per mile (one way).
Example: 10 miles = £2, plus whatever emotional support the driver requires.
Thursday Evening Walks (Summer)
In summer we also run Thursday evening walks of 4–5 miles, starting at 7 p.m. from the village car park.
If the programme creeps into September, we shuffle the start to 6:15 p.m. in a brave attempt to outrun the sunset.
Most Thursday walks this year are local, so no transport or complicated logistics — just turn up and look enthusiastic.
Leading a Walk
If you fancy leading a walk, we have plenty of route ideas here. You bring the charm; the rest of us will bring the heckling.
Cancellations
If a walk is cancelled (usually weather, occasionally common sense), the leader will notify everyone via email and WhatsApp, and will also appear at the meeting point to console any optimists who turned up anyway.
Membership
Annual membership remains a bargain at £5, which is less than the price of a pint on most of our pub‑stop routes.
Stay Updated
All the latest walk details, updates, and last‑minute dramas appear on our WhatsApp group:
https://bit.ly/4t1lj5V
The annual cost to join the Fleckney Walking Club is £5.
You can find The Fleckney Walking Club Group on Facebook. This is a private group but you are welcome to apply to join us.
We encourage you to join the Fleckney Walking Club WhatsApp Group.
Please do so by scanning the QR code, following the link below, or contacting Phil.
https://bit.ly/4t1lj5V
If you would like to join this walk then please fill out the form below and press the Submit button.
(If you are reading this message in an email, please click on the RSVP Now! button directly below to take you to the form.)

