[1] From the car park walk into the park and, at the path 't' junction turn left and follow the path as it bears right. After a short distance note the chalk drawing on the left..
(A) The chalk drawing was made by the famous local pavement artist, Julian Beevor. Leicester City Council commissioned the work to celebrate the passing of the Olympic torch through the city on July 2nd and 3rd 2012. Julian created the work near the clock tower in the city centre on a special plinth which was then transferred to its current location for a Torch Relay in the park on July 2nd 2012. His drawings have a 3D effect when viewed from a particular point.
Continue forward with the Boating Lake on the right hand side
[2] At the fork in the path take the right hand path and continue forward to take the second entrance on the right which gives access to the Friendship Gardens. Continue left over the wooden bridge to exit the Gardens
Take care as the bridges can be slippery when wet.
(B) The Friendship Garden is laid out in oriental style, with bridges modelled on the Chinese 'willow pattern'. It was officially opened in 1989 and many of its plants are of Chinese origin. The paintings on the ceiling of the ‘Pagoda’ were actually painted in Taiwan.
[3] Turn right onto the road with the Education Centre and a great views of the flower gardens to the left.. Continue past the toilet block
[4] Bear right on the main path and then turn sharp left towards the bridge and the Pavilion Cafe.
[5] Cross over the bridge and take the path to the left of the café, passing the lavender maze garden on the left. - this is well worth a visit to enjoy the lavender fragrances whilst navigating the maze.
(C) Notice the statue of Cardinal Wolsey in front of the cafe. He was for may years the most powerful minister of King Henry VIII - the most powerful man in the country after the king. He was Archbishop of York. He stopped at Leicester Abbey on the long journey from York to London, and died here. He is buried somewhere in this area..
[6] At the Oval turn left onto the path and follow it in a clockwise direction passing the childrens play area at the bottom left and the cricket pavilion also on the left.
[7] At the top of the Oval turn left onto the path towards the ruins of the Abbey Gatehouse and Cavendish House and almost immediately turn left to take the path to Pets Corner and continue forward to the car park. Beware of moving traffic in the car park
(D) This unique area of the park provides a variety of animals for visitors to enjoy. You will find everything from small family pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs to larger animals such as goats. There is also a good variety of caged birds.
[8] Cross the car park and take the path next to the park's perimeter wall. Follow this path all the way round keeping the Abbey Ruins on the right hand side to reach the Pavilion Cafe.
(E) The Abbey was founded in 1143 and closed by Henry VIII in 1538 during the period known as the dissolution of the monasteries . The buildings were demolished or fell into ruin. These low walls are not the original walls of the Abbey but were built in the twentieth century to show where the walls of the building would have been. It would have been as tall as a cathedral and covered this massive area.
[9] Turn left and cross the bridge and take the left hand path to follow the river on the left.
[10] Turn right onto the second path to pass the Garden of the Senses, Bowls Club and tree carvings on the left and the Beacon on the right. Continue forward on this path to the car park and your starting point