[1] Hallaton has a fine church dating back to the 12th century, which is well worth a visit either before or after the walk. There is a small museum nearby (open from Easter to the end of September at weekends and bank holidays). Also of note is the impressive Norman motte and bailey castle a short stroll west of the village, which you might want to look at on your return. The eye-catching conical stone structure on the green at the start of the walk (SK788965) is known as the buttercross (butter was sold here in the past).
Facing the green turn right along the road past the Bewicke Arms and keep ahead when the main road bears left. Very soon turn right down a footpath between houses, cross a residential road and carry on down to reach open fields. Having crossed a stream, bear left to walk alongside it, then head towards a small tree-fenced enclosure (marked by a characteristic yellow-topped post). Continue across fields to the old railway line, turning left over this to a road junction.
[2] Cross and carry on along the lane ahead to Blaston (notable for its clock tower further on), bearing right at the junction (signed Field Road). Pass the charming little church and turn left at a bridleway sign, heading uphill, then down across a stream and up to the B664. Cross and carry on uphill to another road and Nevill Holt.
[3] Although the main route turns right and right again down The Avenue, it’s well worth a short detour to have a closer look at striking Nevill Holt Hall. Cross the road and follow the lane ahead which leads round through the hamlet. Bear left down a footpath just before the church, then right and right again, back up to the road, turning right to the junction with The Avenue.
The Hall, which dates back to before 1300, was owned by the Cunard shipping family from 1876 to 1912, then became a prep school, and is now a private residence, hosting opera in the summer.
Carry on down the broad tree-lined Avenue, turning off left down a footpath. On meeting the road again, cross and carry on along the path into Medbourne.
[4] Cross the road, go through the churchyard, then cross over the medieval packhorse bridge. Turn left and follow the paved path alongside Medbourne Brook, bearing right and left to pass in front of the Nevill Arms to reach the road. Turn right, keep ahead at the junction, then right along a bridleway to a lane. Turn right to a junction, then left to Slawston.
[5] At the road junction, turn right along the footpath which leads back to Hallaton, passing well to the right of Hallaton Manor house – now a rest home.