[1] Cross Astill Lodge Road (take care crossing the road) and take the path to enter Castle Hill Country Park. Continue ahead, crossing the over the A46 bridge and continue down the hill
[2] At the bottom of the hill turn right through the gate and continue ahead. You have now entered the Nothill Quarter of Castle Hill Country Park.
(A) This quarter along with the Anstey Quarter are storm water retention areas and there are a number of large sluices which feed the area. They have rarely been called into use.
[3] Just past the start of the wood turn right along the track. Near the end of the track, just before reaching the brick building at the top of the sluice, turn left to follow the newly created Nothill Woodland Trail (B) with its great variety of woodland trees. Follow this trail through the woods, crossing over a small wooden bridge, until you reach the edge of the woodland.
Take care as the path may be muddy and there are a number of protruding tree stumps
[4] At the end of the trail turn left onto the mown track and then turn right, at the bench just before the main path, onto the mown path leading to the top of the Nothill Viewpoint.
(C) The Nothill Scenic Viewpoint offers great views of Charnwood and contains a new wildflower area (‘Olympic Meadow’).
[5] At the path junction turn left and carry on down the hill to join the main path. You can take a small detour to the right to the viewpoint area at the top of the hill and then re-trace your steps to continue the walk.
[6] At the main path turn left and continue along this path, through Rothley Brook Meadows, to the gate through which you entered. Turn left to cross the A46 and follow the path to return to the start.
(D) The Rothley Brook is a Local Wildlife Site. It rises in Bagworth Wood and passes through Thornton, Desford, Ratby and Glenfield on its way to join the River Soar at Rothley. There are plenty of butterflies and over 40 bird species have been spotted here and it is a haven for Kingfishers. Records indicate the possible presence of Water Voles, Otters and White-clawed Crayfish.