[1] From the college building walk through the pedestrian area of the campus towards the main road. As you leave the campus turn left onto the main road and walk towards the roundabout
[2] At the roundabout turn left following the footpath towards the first exit signposted ‘Abbey Park’. Continue along Abbey Park Road following the watercourse to the left. This is an offshoot of the Grand Union Canal
[3] After approximately 200m, immediately after the bridge turn left down the ramp and join the path on the canal bank and continue along it.
(A) The canal is the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, which runs from London to Birmingham. On the left is 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 from the works. London 130 miles and Manchester 145 miles can be reached by barges along the canals system.
Hazard: Canal path is unlit and has roots protruding through the surface occasionally, and nettles & brambles in summer.
Alternative route: continue on Abbey Park road and turn into the Park at the car park (beware traffic). Through the car park to the main path and go left. Follow the path to the park gates. Through park gates and go left on Cave's Walk
[4] Continue forward for about 800 meters and immediately after the overbridge take the steps/ramp on the right up to St Margaret's Pasture car park, and across it to Abbey Park gates on the right. Go through the park gates and take Caves Walk immediately to the left
(B) 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.
[5] 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
(C) 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 a boating lake, bowling green, tennis courts and cricket pitches.
[6] 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.
[7] 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.
[8] Continue round past the bowling green on the left. Turn left onto the next path and follow it round towards the main entrance
[9] Turn left into the main entrance
[10] Pass through the wrought iron gates and turn right onto Abbey Park Road and continue to the roundabout
[12] Follow the path round to the right and return to the college.