This inner city walk has a number of busy roads, please take care when crossing these and use pedestrian crossings where possible.
[1] From the college exit on Aylestone Road cross Aylestone Road at the crossing and turn right
[2] Take the first left into Brazil Street
[3] Take the second right onto Burnsmoor Street and continue to the end.
[4] Turn left onto Walnut Street and continue forward until you reach the bridge over the river.
[5] At the end of the bridge turn left onto a footpath that slopes down to join the path along the River Soar.
[6] On reaching the river path, turn left and continue by the side of the river
Beware of cyclists on the towpath as warning may not be given of their approach
Take care under the bridges as there is limited headroom
[7] Just before the 4th bridge turn left up the steps, turn right over the bridge and then take the immediate left after the bridge into Castle Park.
(A) This area is a scheduled monument encompassing the Castle Hall 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 rock garden, mixed borders, two small ponds and a waterfall .
Alternative route to avoid Castle Park - continue along the river bank to rejoin the route at {10}
[8] Take the path to the left through Castle Gardens and follow it forward to the exit on St Augustine Road, passing, on the right, the statue of Richard III which commemorates his death at the Battle of Bosworth.
[9] Turn left onto the bridge then immediately left to take the steps down to the riverside path.
[10] Turn left and continue along the path.
[11] Just past Kirby and West, where the river and the canal meet, take the bridge over the weir to join the path along Grand Union Canal canalside path, continue forward passing St Margarets Pastures Sports Centre and Abbey Park on the left.
(B) Just before the exit, on the right 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. Destinations for canal barges included London 130 miles and Manchester 145 miles.
To gain access to St Margarets Campus cross over the canal bridge Follow Abbey Walk then turn left onto Friday Street and then almost immediately turn right into Watling Street, follow Watling Street down to St John Street to the campus entrance
[12] Turn left just before Abbey Park Road bridge and then turn right to continue forward onto Abbey Park Road.
[13] Bear right at Belgrave Circle, cross over Painter Street.
[14] Turn right at the entrance to Abbey Park Campus.