[1] Facing the Peepul Centre main entrance turn right and head to to the car park entrance
(A) The Peepul Centre (and Sainsburys) stands on the site of Belgrave Station. This terminus It opened on January 1st 1883 and closed 9th September 1962. Trains went to Peterborough and Grantham with summer specials to Skegness and Mablethorpe.
[2] Turn right onto Orchardson Street, then left onto Orchardson Way.
[3] At the end turn right onto Dysart Way
[4] Continue to the pedestrian crossing just before the flyover and cross over both carriageways of Dysart Way
[5] Turn right and continue a short way to the pedestrian crossing under the flyover. Cross both carriageways.
[6] Bear right and follow the path round to the bridge over the Grand Union Canal - sign posted for Abbey Park and turn left down Abbey Park Road (2nd exit on the roundabout).
[7] Immediately after the bridge turn left down the ramp and join the path on the canal bank
(B) The canal is the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal which runs from London to Birmingham. On the left is the Limekiln Lock which is named after lime kilns located at the site of a shoe works. Canal boats brought in coal and took away lime. Destinations for canal barges included London 130 miles and Manchester 145 miles.
[8] Continue forward for about 800 meters and immediately after the overbridge take the steps/ramp on the right into Abbey Park. Go through the park gates and take Caves Walk immediately to the left
[C) To the right as you walk along Caves Walk is a miniature railway. In 1949 the Parks Committee gave the Leicester Society of Model Engineers permission to install a miniature railway for model engines on Abbey Park. The railway is open to the public most Sundays throughout the summer.
[9] Continue to the end of Caves Walk, with St Margaret's Pasture to the left and the miniature railway to the right , and bear right onto the path next to the river
[10] Continue straight on alongside the river then bear right by the bridge to continue alongside the river with the weir to your left
(D) On the opposite (west) side of the River Soar lies the ruins of the Abbey which was founded in 1143 and closed by Henry VIII in 1538. There is also a cafe, maze and a play area as well as an ornamental garden.
[11] Follow the path around to the left again following the river then take the right hand path opposite the little jetty
(E) A short distance on the left is the Garden of the Senses which has been designed to appeal to 4 of our senses - sight, sound, smell and touch. These are excited by plants and flowers, water features, wind chimes, plants that pick up the sound of the breeze and sculptures.
[12] Continue round past the trees and bowling green on the left. Turn left at the wooden carving, onto the next path and follow it round towards the main entrance.
(F) Abbey Park was purchased for a flood alleviation scheme in 1876. It was opened as a public park on 29th May 1882 by the Prince and Princess of Wales. The decorative Victorian park contains lakes, trees, shrubberies and has many sporting facilities.
[13] Turn left into the main entrance.
[14] Pass through the wrought iron gates and turn right onto Abbey Park Road
[15] Just before the river bridge turn right down the ramp and and then take the steps immediately on the left to walk under the road bridge
[16] Turn left up the slope immediately after the bridge
[17] Turn left onto Abbey Park Road and then almost immediately left into Abbey Park Street
[18] Turn right at the end of Abbey Park Street
[19] Continue down Belgrave Road to the pedestrian crossings going under the flyover
[20] Cross over both carriageways and turn left up Belgrave Road
[21] After 50m turn right into the pedestrian walkway and proceed to Sainsburys.
[22] Turn left at the end and continue around the building to return to the Peepul Centre