Ratby

The walk this Easter weekend was courtesy of the Kilsbys – and a great walk it turned out to be.

Starting from the library car park at Ratby, head downhill along Main Street to the junction then take Burroughs Road all the way to the car park. The woods here are well worth a wander around to take a peek at all the bluebells – but keep an eye on the direction you need to follow.

Pick up the National Forest Way and wander through Martinshaw Wood. Exiting the wood, head north until meeting up with the A50. Carefully cross the A50 (Markfield Road) at the break in the barriers and head north-west past the bus stop, shortly after which is a footpath to the right.

This footpath leads through Lady Hay wood and is a mild incline until it reaches its peak where it crosses Groby Lane before descending into Newtown Linford where the path exits right by the Old Post Office and Tea Rooms – an excellent place for a quick brew or an ice-cream!

A 90 degree right turn in Newtown Linford takes you along Bradgate Road for a short while until you draw level with the furthest entrance to Bradgate carpark. Take the footpath to the right. You are now heading south and east skirting Sheet Hedges Wood and down into Groby and The Stamford Arms for refreshments.

When you leave the pub, turn left along Ratby Road and follow it past a mini-roundabout and shortly after passing the 40 MPH road signs there is a footpath to your left. This footpath skirts the cemetery and leads under the M1 motorway into Ratby. Alternatively, stay on the road all the back to the library.