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Leicester - Baycliffe Close to Gilroes Cemetery

Difficulty Easy Access

Walking time 52 minutes

Length 2.9km / 1.8mi

Route developer: John Alton

Route checker: Philip Cheesewright

Start location Affinity Trust, 15 Baycliff Close
Route Summary A circular walk to Gilroes Cemetery. The noise of the busy Groby Road contrasts sharply with the peacefulness of the cemetery. The area is a haven for nature with trees and bird boxes, gardens and flowers
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Getting there

The centre is close to Groby Road, which is served by buses 26, 27, 28, 29, 29A, UHL. Alight at the Mary Road stop.

Description

[1]  Starting from outside the centre, cross Baycliff Close onto the pathway and go right to Groby Road, then go left.

[2]  Cross Groby Road at the pedestrian crossing towards the Heathley Park Pub.  (Take care when crossing this very busy main road).  Turn left up Groby Road and, keeping to the pedestrian side of the split pedestrian/cycle lanes, continue along the main road past Allerton Drive. (Beware of cycles using this stretch of pavement).

Go past the entrance to Gilroes Farm (look out for cars emerging) then the main gated entrance marked Gilroes Cemetery and Crematorium and continue along the main Groby road until you reach the NHS staff car park entrance.

[3]  Turn right (off Groby Road) onto the footpath at the near side of the car park leading to Gilroes cemetery.  Enter the cemetery through the pedestrian gate at the top of the car park and turn left to follow the footpath round  keeping the glade to your immediate left.  (Caution: take care as occasional cars may pass at low speed).

No dogs are allowed from this point onwards.

(A)  This area was know as the rural and Parish area of Gilroes. In 1811 it had a population of four.

Leicester Corporation took ownership of Gilroes in 1897 and the cemetery was opened in 1902.  By 1956 most of the area was taken up by the cemetery.  It has an area of 28 acres and is a lawn cemetery, that is to say no surrounds are allowed on graves. The cemetery holds 110 war graves from World War I, including 2 Victoria Cross recipients,  and 160 graves from World War II.

[4]  Just after the first wooden bridge in the glade, on the left, take the path to the right and follow it all to the hedge in front.  Turn left and then right to follow the hedge round the Gardens of Remembrance (Beware of traffic when crossing the road), with the Crematorium to the left.  Continue ahead through the cemetery to the line of trees marking the road.

[5]  Take this first tree lined roadway to the right and follow it all the way to the main vehicle entrance road to the cemetery. You will see a meadow area to your left.  Notice the colourful bird nesting boxes in the trees along this roadway.  (Caution: beware of  oncoming vehicles in road).  

[6]  Bear left to exit the cemetery through the main gates onto Groby Road. Turn left and follow your tracks back along Groby Road, until you return to Baycliff Close.

POI information No details available.
Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements No details available.
  • Tree lined boundary path in gilroes Cemetery
    Tree lined boundary path in gilroes Cemetery
    By - John Alton
  • Wooden bridge in the glade
    Wooden bridge in the glade
    By - John Alton
  • Colourful nesting boxes on tree lined road
    Colourful nesting boxes on tree lined road
    By - John Alton
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