This inner city walk has a number of busy roads, please take care when crossing these and use pedestrian crossings where possible
Some of the pavements and paths are uneven in places - take care.
[1] From the Centre cross Upperton Road onto Western Boulevard and descend onto the towpath of the Grand Union Canal where suitable (there is slope access just before and just after the Mill Lane bridge). and continue to the left. Keep walking on the towpath under Mill Lane Bridge and then under a second road bridge. You then come to a pedestrian-only bridge.
Beware of cyclists on the towpath and all other pathways as they are shared routes. Keep to any pedestrian designated lanes
Keep children away from the edge of the towpath - continue along Western Boulevard to avoid the towpath
(A) From the pedestrian bridge, on the opposite bank of the canalised river you can see the back of Leicester Castle, Castle Gardens and the spire of St Mary de Castro.
[2] At the pedestrian bridge giving access to Castle Gardens (a slope is available just after the bridge) turn left and walk on the right hand side of the restaurant and enter Westbridge Close. At the T-junction with Duns Lane turn left and pass the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre on your left.
[3] At the junction of Braunstone Gate, New Park Street, Western Boulevard and Duns Lane turn left and immediately cross Western Boulevard by the pedestrian crossing. Continue straight ahead on the Great Central Way with the river and railway viaduct on your right. Continue to Bede Park
(B) On the right is one of the remains of the viaducts that took the Great Central Railway line from Rugby to Nottingham and was closed to traffic in 1966. The Sports Centre is on the site of a bowstring bridge which carried the railway over the river. Despite a public outcry the bridge was demolished in 2009
[4] Turn left at the entrance to Bede Park and walk clockwise around the park and along Martin Ryan Walk.
(C) Bede Park was opened in 1999 and is an element in a rejuvenated landscape which has been converted from heavy industrialisation. 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.
[5] Turn left at the river to regain the Great Central Way and follow it with the river to the right
[6] Cross Upperton Road at the pedestrian crossing and turn left to return to the Centre, passing the Statue of Liberty to the left
(D) Leicester's own Statue of Liberty is located in the middle of the roundabout. It used to be positioned on top of the former Liberty Shoe Factory just a short distance away. It was moved to its new location in December 2008 during the redevelopment of the area.