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.
Infirmary Square has public toilets.
[1] From Infirmary Square turn left onto Jarrom Street and continue forward passing St Andrew's Church on the right, then crossing Havelock St and Clarendon St.
(A) From Grasmere St onwards many of the houses are from the late Victorian era built in the 1880s and 1890s - many have plaques showing their name and date of building. They were built to house those workers in the labour intensive factories producing boots and shoes, and hosiery.
[2] At the end of Jarrom Street cross Eastern Boulevard by the lights then cross over the Grand Union Canal. Continue over the pedestrian crossing by the Statue of Liberty then go right over another crossing to take the cycle path which is signposted 'Great Central Way'.
(B) Leicester's own Statue of Liberty is located in the middle of the roundabout. It used to be positioned on top of the now demolished Liberty Shoe factory just a short distance away. It was moved to its new location in December 2008
[3] Continue along the Great Central Way, bearing right by the old railway bridges to take the trail enter Bede Park and continue forward with the old River Soar on the left.
(C) Bede Park was opened in 1999 and is an element in a rejuvenated landscape which has been converted from a heavily industrialised area. The park has several pieces of public art including:- ‘Making a Place’ which resembles a large roll of carpet with a map of central Leicester around it - designed by Chloe Cookson and Rory McNally and ‘Signs of Life’ which depicts the human need to mark the landscape leaving evidence of past lives. Artists: Wallscapes – Gary Drostle and Rob Turner.
[4] Turn right at the 'Making a Place' plinth and continue along the path to the Plaza with it's 'Signs of Life' art.
[5] Cross over Western Boulevard then the canal bridge onto Mill Lane and continue forward through the De Montfort University campus.
[6] After about 400 metres turn right onto The Gateway and continue to the end, passing the former Harrison & Hayes hosiery factory built in 1913 and now converted into flats.
[7] Turn left onto Jarrom Street to return to Infirmary Square.