Gumley, Smeeton, Foxton, Lubenham

After leaving Fleckney, we parked near the cricket ground on Main Street, Gumley (///recline.motoring.conveys). We started by walking down the road and through the gate into the church wood. We turned left out of the wood and followed The Leicestershire Round over Smeeton Hill and down to the canal feeder.

We left the Leicestershire Round at the bottom of the hill and turned right to go along to the aqueduct – locally known as “the tunnel” – and followed the footpath to Smeeton Westerby.

Well, that was the original plan, but someone suggested the alternative route to Smeeton via the bridge over the canal and through a couple of fields. By taking this path, there is a grand pond that is always worth taking a look at.

The unfortunate thing was that there had obviously been a water leak somewhere to the left of the path a little higher up as there was a very muddy section that we had to navigate. We all managed to get through pretty well unscathed though and continued on our way.

The route then took us through Smeeton Westerby and gave us the opportunity to marvel at the magical door hidden away along the footpath.

So, through a couple of kissing gates and across a couple of fields we found ourselves on Debdale Lane. This lane is a permissive path and it is worthwhile reading the messages often posted in various locations by the farmer.

Debdale Lane led us to Debdale Wharf and we then took a footpath over a couple of stiles and through six fields to Foxton village. We thought this would be a convenient place to stop for lunch and, with the permission of the landlady, we sat in the garden of The Shoulder of Mutton to eat our food. It would have been rude not to purchase refreshments from the bar – so we did that as well!

Once we were all fed and “watered” we continued our journey and headed along the canal, over the swingbridge, and took a footpath to Lubenham, via Mill Hill – a gentle climb up and a steep climb down.

Another series of footpaths and a few stiles took us from Lubenham to Foxton Locks. Our leaders then took us down to the bottom of the locks, had a quick ice cream, and along the canal for a short distance before heading over the footbridge on the Leicestershire Round and back to Gumley.

For anyone who would like to repeat this walk in the future, John and Denise point out that the pubs along the way are: The Kings Head (Smeeton Westerby), The Shoulder of Mutton (Foxton), The Black Horse (Foxton), Bridge 61 (Foxton Locks), The Foxton Locks Inn (Foxton Locks), and The Bell Inn (Gumley).

We made The Bell at Gumley our pub stop and enjoyed a very nice pint (or two) there.

By planning a clockwise route, John and Denise ensured that we went down the steeper parts of this 10-mile walk. There were plenty of stiles and plenty of rest-stop opportunities. We were advised NOT to wear shorts as some of the paths were overgrown in places and covered in nettles.