This inner city walk has a number of busy roads, please take care when crossing and walking beside them. Use pedestrian crossings where possible.
Some of the pavements and paths are uneven in places - take care.
There are public toilets in Infirmary Square.
[1] From Infirmary Square cross Jarrom Street towards The Swan and Rushes pub.
[2] Turn left at the Swan and Rushes onto Grange Lane and continue forwards past Deacon St and Gosling St.
[3] At the end of Grange Lane turn left onto Mill Lane and continue forward through De Montfort University campus.
[4] At the end of Mill Lane cross over the canal bridge and cross the road to the right to take the steps or ramp down to the Grand Union Canal and turn left along the towpath. At the second bridge (a steel footbridge) go left up the ramp or stairs then right to a raised walkway.
(A) This part of the Grand Union Canal is known as the Mile Straight and was built as part of the city's flood defence scheme in the late 19th century. It forms part of the City Council's award winning 12 mile long river park. running from Glen Parva in the south to Watermead in the north.
Alternatively, to avoid walking along the canal towpath, turn right just after the bridge and continue along Western Boulevard. At the first bridge follow the road round to the left then turn second right onto the path between the new Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre and the John Stanford Sports Centre. When you reach the steel footbridge bear left along a raised walkway.
[5] Continue along the walkway to the third bridge, which carries St Augustine Road.
[6] Turn right over the bridge and then right into Castle Gardens, pass the statue of King Richard III and continue along the path adjacent to the river and bear right past the maypole.
(B) This area is a scheduled monument encompassing the Castle Gateway, Castle Hall, Turret Gateway and the Magazine Gateway among others. Leicester Castle was built in 1060 and little remains of the original structure. Castle Park was opened in 1926 and the 4 acre site has a maypole, a rock garden, mixed borders, two small ponds and a waterfall.
[7] Just before the exit in front of the Soar Point pub turn sharp left onto the path and continue round the other side of the maypole to rejoin the path back to the footbridge.
[8] Just past the footbridge turn right to pass through the Castle Garden Ponds. At the top of the steps take the path straight in front to exit the Gardens onto Castle Street.
[9] Turn right then right again onto Castle View and pass through Castle Gateway and bear left, with Leicester Castle Great Hall on the right and St Mary de Castro Church on the left
(C) St Mary de Castro (St Mary of the Castle) Church was founded in 1107 and was rebuilt in the 1180s after it had been destroyed. The 55 metre spire was added in about 1400. Royalty would have frequently visited the church on their visits to stay in Leicester Castle
[10] Continue to the end, passing through Turret Gateway and looking right to see Trinity House garden.
[11] Cross over The Newarke and turn left onto Magazine Square and continue to the end with Magazine Gateway on your left.
[12] Turn right onto busy Oxford Street.
[13] After about 200 metres turn right onto Bonners Lane.
[14] After a short distance turn left onto Grange Lane and continue to the end to return to Infirmary Square.