[1] Start at the Stamford Street car park, turn to the right and then take the 2nd left onto Chestnut Road. At the top of the hill take the path on your right and then, after about 50m, take the path on the left into Salcombe Drive. As this road swings to the right, take the left hand turn (still Salcombe Drive).
[2] Cross Glenfield Frith Drive and then turn onto Loxley Road, just to your right. This road runs downhill, continue round Loxley Road and into Newquay Drive.
[3] Take the path off to your left and go through the small Station Park with its mature trees. This brings you out on to Station Road facing the Railway Hotel.
To shorten the route proceed to {11]
[4] After crossing Station Road turn right. Just after the disused railway meets Station Road, turn left and then right onto a signposted right of way. This then follows a small stream until it reaches the A50. These paths easily become quite muddy
(A) Before crossing over Station Road, however, it is worth a small diversion. Go right and up the road for a few yards and you will see Stephenson Court, where the old railway station used to stand. There is a commemorative plaque by some old railway buffers.
[5] Turn left here and proceed to Glenfield’s Millennium Green and have a look round.
(B) This ‘green’ has been developed on a part of the old sports ground, which was isolated, when the A50 was re-aligned. It has play areas and quiet areas and includes a sensory garden. Trees, shrubs and bulbs provide biodiversity and ecological balance and a pleasant corner for people and wildlife.
Cross the A50 at the pedestrian crossing and turn right towards Leicester.
[6] Turn left, as you see the petrol station over the road, onto your original path which continues to where the brook merges with the larger Rothley Brook. Carry on along by the side of the brook for about a quarter of a mile until you reach the bridge carrying the A46. Take the path in front and then bear right along it to reach Gynsill Lane. The paths here can be quite muddy and overgrown,
[7] Then turn right and walk to Stelle Way, which is a short way before the traffic island.
[8] Here there is a small diversion to the left, which will allow a fifteen minute stroll around the arboretum on the left of Stelle Way or Gynsill Park on the right..
(C) Many forms of wildlife are to be found in the arboretum and in Gynsill Park with its wildflower meadow. These two small areas are well worth a visit in spring when you will see wood anemones, snowdrops and the rarer snake’s-head fritillary.
[9] Carry on towards the roundabout and turn left up the access road towards County Hall. As you approach County Hall turn right and drop down to the A50 and then use the underpass to cross the road. On reaching the other side turn right to follow the traffic out of town.
[10] After a short distance you will see a footpath off on your left. taking this you will pass the entrance to Glenfield Tunnel and eventually come out on Loxley Road. Turn right and go right again, into Newquay Drive, and then immediately left through Station Park to face the Railway Hotel again.
(D) The path from the A50 to Loxley Road gives you access to the now bricked up entrance of the Glenfield Railway Tunnel which was, when constructed, the longest railway tunnel in Britain and probably the world. It is over a mile long and was constructed for the Leicester & Swannington Railway Company and opened in 1832. Built under the guidance of George Stephenson’s son Robert, this was the first steam railway outside the north of England. The tunnel and its ventilation shafts are Grade ll listed structures and the cutting, with its neglected scrub and mature trees, provides a wildlife haven. This path has a flight of over 50 steps downwards and may not be suitable for all.
[11] This time, after crossing the road, take the path just to the right of the pub and follow the old railway tracks. These proceed between the village and the green wedge farmlands and generally follow the course of Rothley Brook. If you are very lucky you may catch a glimpse of a kingfisher patrolling the brook, which is surprisingly secluded.
[12] Just after the car scrap yard turn left onto Barrows Lane, pass the site of a medieval moated manor house on the right, and turn left at the top by the Forge Inn to re-enter the village on Main Street.
(E) A short diversion by carrying on along the track of the original railway for a few yards will lead you to the old Glenfield water mill.
To the right is the Old Rectory and there are some interesting old cottages in the original part of the village. You then come to a roundabout and the start of Stamford Street which will lead you back to the car park.
(F) The Old Rectory is part Elizabethan, but much added to, and the front extension is Georgian. If you look carefully you can see that some windows are actually just painted on. Just off the roundabout on your left and just past The Maltings, you will see Glenfield House, which is also Georgian.