Saddington, Debdale, Smeeton Westerby

Leader: Phil Williams

As usual, we will meet at the village car park (///loses.always.huts) by 9.30 a.m.

Keeping it local, I’ve stitched together sections of previous walks. Challenging in parts, but mainly easy-going.

We begin this adventure by leaving the car park and heading towards the charming village of Saddington. Traverse through the Persimmon estate, then pick up The Leicestershire Round as it meanders through picturesque fields. This path has been delightfully dry lately, but beware—it turns into a muddy challenge with the slightest hint of rain!

Cross the bustling Kibworth Road with care, and continue on The Leicestershire Round until you reach Bakehouse Lane. Here, pause to admire the newly thatched roof of a quaint cottage—a nod to traditional craftsmanship that has adorned English homes for centuries. Continue your journey across Main Street and descend into the horsey fields, where the rural beauty envelops you.

Next, we navigate down to Saddington Brook and cross the historic canal feeder. Prepare yourself for the steep ascent of Saddington Hill—a local landmark steeped in history. Though the climb is short, the panoramic view from the top is worth every step, offering a perfect spot to catch your breath and soak in the landscape.

After a brief respite, follow the Round to Smeeton Gorse, a site where the undulating fields stretch out before you. This is the perfect spot to take in sweeping views of the countryside and rest on a nearby seat if needed.

The journey continues as we descend a steep slope. Typically, we’d take the path directly at the bottom, but today, we venture left off The Leicestershire Round, embracing a less steep route that meanders around Gumley. Cross Gumley Road and navigate through a series of stiles and foxholes, a reminder of the area’s rich agricultural past.

Arrive at Debdale Lane and turn left, strolling approximately 400 metres (a quarter of a mile in old money!) before picking up the footpath past Debdale Grange, locally known as the White House. Follow the path to Bridge 68 and cross the canal, immersing yourself in the historic canal networks that once fuelled the region’s industrial growth.

For those seeking a shorter trek, simply cross the stile and traverse a series of fields until you reach Debdale Lane, turning left into Smeeton Westerby. The more adventurous among us will follow the towpath to Debdale Wharf, then turn left onto Debdale Lane, leading to Smeeton Westerby. Here, indulge in a well-deserved rest at The King’s Head, a local pub brimming with character, for a hearty chinwag and a refreshing beverage.

Rejuvenated, we set off along Mill Lane, cross the busy Kibworth Road with caution, and venture into Millenium Wood. Listen for the rhythmic drumming of woodpeckers and watch out for the occasional muddy patch. Cross the bridge and traverse the ridge and furrow fields, relics of medieval farming practices, before returning to Fleckney.

This captivating walk spans just over 7.5 miles (12 kilometres in new money!) and features three stiles along with a range of delightful undulations as described above. Prepare for an enriching journey through both history and scenic beauty!

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General information:

The Fleckney Walking Club meet every other Sunday for a walk of about 6 to 9 miles with a pub stop somewhere along the route.
What3Words is used to pinpoint start and other relevant locations for the walks.
We leave Fleckney village car park at 9:30 a.m. (///loses.always.huts).
For these walks you are advised to wear good quality walking boots and carry weatherproof clothing.
We suggest you also bring refreshments as a coffee stop and/or a picnic stop is also usually on the cards.
For those who are car sharing to walks outside of Fleckney, passengers are requested to subsidise their driver by the amount of 20p per mile (one way). For example, if the start of the walk was 10 miles from Fleckney the fee would be 10 x 20p = £2.

If you fancy leading a walk, there are plenty of ideas for walks here.

During the summer months we also have Thursday evening walks of about 4 to 5 miles in length.
This year the majority of the walks will be local ones, no transport required.
We meet at the village car park, by 7 p.m. (///loses.always.huts).

In the event of a walk being cancelled for any reason (usually weather) the walk leader will communicate the cancellation to club members by email and be at the start meeting point to advise anyone who turned up regardless.

The annual cost to join the Fleckney Walking Club is £10 for the Sunday Walks, or £5 to be a Social Member. Thursday Evening Walks are completely FREE.

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You can find The Fleckney Walking Club Group on Facebook. This is a private group but you are welcome to apply to join us.

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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.)

RSVP deadline is past

Event Types: Sunday Walk

Bisbrooke, Seaton, Lyddington, Uppingham

Leader: Janet Long

As usual, we will meet at the village car park (///loses.always.huts) by 9.30 a.m.

Parking in Bisbrooke is a bit awkward but there is space along Main Street where the road is a bit wider.

Assuming this is where you have parked, head downhill and bear right by Top Lane, cross over the junction to Church Lane and follow this to reach the Church then continue on the enclosed, waymarked track ahead of you.

At the open field it is best to try and follow the contour until you see a gateway ahead, aiming for this pass through and head towards the left hand hedge where you will find a footbridge over a stream which you cross.

Continue up the hill and, following waymarks, go through a gate to cross the disused railway and into the opposite field. Follow this track steeply up, crossing a bridleway the path levels out and continues, eventually reaching a meadow which takes you into Seaton. The road is reached down steep stone steps. Take care!

The route takes you right here but you may want to turn left and follow the Main Street to the George and Dragon and/or the church, both of which are worth a visit.

Turning back, walk westwards through the narrow road-section passing the church on your left and continuing through the village on Main Street. As you come to the end of the housing find Grange Lane on your left. Take this down to Grange Farm.

Following the waymarks continue through the farm and along the field-edge track. At a left turn you will have a ditch on your right. Continue on the waymarked route through a further field and down a fairly steep, broad track with woodland on your left.

As you reach the bottom of this slope you will reach Main Street, Lyddington. Turn right along the street up to The Marquess of Exeter on your right that is under new management and well worth dropping in for refreshments.

Continue along Main Street and shortly you will see a footpath sign on your right – ignore this and look diagonally across the road for your path towards Uppingham. Continue diagonally across the first field and following the waymarks through three further fields. Take a stile on to the road with another stile slightly left on the other side.

Over this follow the waymarked path to the school playing field, crossing this the path leads down a steep slope continuing up the opposite side. At the gate turn left and shortly right through the woodland.

Follow the waymarks down to a small plank bridge and up to reach South View in Uppingham. Cross the road and ascend the fiight of steps opposite. At the top turn left and follow the narrow road round to the right. It looks like a cul-de-sac, but there is an alleyway from the end of the road into Uppingham market square. Plenty of choice here for refreshments.

Once you are ready to move off again, turn left out of the square onto High Street (East) and follow it past the shops down to the roundabout where you go straight over onto Glaston Road.

Opposite where the footpath gains some railings is a track on the right-hand side of the road. Take this track and take the left fork so that you continue in the same direction. This path is a well waymarked track that leads you back into Top Lane in Bisbrooke.

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General information:

The Fleckney Walking Club meet every other Sunday for a walk of about 6 to 9 miles with a pub stop somewhere along the route.
What3Words is used to pinpoint start and other relevant locations for the walks.
We leave Fleckney village car park at 9:30 a.m. (///loses.always.huts).
For these walks you are advised to wear good quality walking boots and carry weatherproof clothing.
We suggest you also bring refreshments as a coffee stop and/or a picnic stop is also usually on the cards.
For those who are car sharing to walks outside of Fleckney, passengers are requested to subsidise their driver by the amount of 20p per mile (one way). For example, if the start of the walk was 10 miles from Fleckney the fee would be 10 x 20p = £2.

If you fancy leading a walk, there are plenty of ideas for walks here.

During the summer months we also have Thursday evening walks of about 4 to 5 miles in length.
This year the majority of the walks will be local ones, no transport required.
We meet at the village car park, by 7 p.m. (///loses.always.huts).

In the event of a walk being cancelled for any reason (usually weather) the walk leader will communicate the cancellation to club members by email and be at the start meeting point to advise anyone who turned up regardless.

The annual cost to join the Fleckney Walking Club is £10 for the Sunday Walks, or £5 to be a Social Member. Thursday Evening Walks are completely FREE.

---

You can find The Fleckney Walking Club Group on Facebook. This is a private group but you are welcome to apply to join us.

---

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.)

RSVP deadline is past

Event Types: Sunday Walk