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Burrough Hill, Leicestershire

Difficulty Leisurely

Walking time 7 hours

Length 22.9km / 14.2mi

Route developer: Fiona Barltrop

Route checker: Rachel Biddles

Start location Burrough Hill Country Park car park
Route Summary Circular walk from Burrough Hill via Somerby, Owston, Tilton on the Hill, Lowesby and Twyford. Starting at one of the highest points in Leicestershire, this walk takes you through pretty villages and churches among rolling countryside.
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Getting there

Bus 113, from Melton Mowbray to Oakham via Twyford & Burrough on the Hill, passes the car park; mainline trains stop at Oakham (0871 200 2233, www.traveline.info).

Description

[1] From the car park, follow the track to Burrough Hill and bear left along the top of the ramparts to the toposcope. Moscow Farm lies ahead and below to the left. Continue along the ramparts above the top edge of Burrough Hill Covert. Where the ramparts curve round to the right, maintain direction and descend the fairly steep grassy slope aiming for the yellow-topped marker posts ahead of you. Follow these (now on the Leicestershire Round) to the edge of some woodland and the permissive Dalby Hills Path (closed on Thursdays 2 Nov – 2 Feb; alternative route then along the bridleway north north east to the road, right towards Little Dalby, and right back up the footpath to rejoin the route at the east end of the woodland). Turn right when you exit the woodland and head south, still following the Leicestershire Round. In due course you should be able to spot Somerby’s church spire in the distance.

[2] At Somerby, go straight across the road down Manor Lane and continue on the track until it curves left, where you keep ahead through a gate signed ‘Bridleway to Owston 1¾m’. (Note: Owston is pronounced ‘Ooston’ locally.) When you reach the road, bear left for Owston. Keep ahead, ignoring turns.

[3] Leaving the Leicestershire Round, turn right along the footpath that heads south west, soon passing a pond on your left and later on another before you cross the drive to Owston Lodge. At the road, Tilton’s church spire can be spotted in the distance. En route you cross the disused line of the former Great Northern and London North-Western Joint Railway (crossed twice more on the walk). Pass Halstead House and turn left at the road along the pavement to Tilton. The fine church is well worth a look.

[4] Continue past the pub to the B6047, cross just to the right of the T-junction at some metal railings and continue on the paved path into the housing estate. Turn left along the estate road, take the first right into Digby Close and keep ahead to a footpath, signed for Lowesby 1½ miles. Leave the track beyond Springfield Hill Farm to pass to the left of former Lowesby station.

[5] Go down the drive past Lowesby church for a very short distance, and turn right to follow a path round the edge of impressive Lowesby Hall’s grounds, continuing through Lowesby parkland – easiest to follow the avenue of trees, though the official line of the path is slightly to the left. At the lane go right to the B6047, cross and continue ahead to Twyford (note the viaduct in the distance), forking right as you approach.

[6] Go along Church Lane and soon turn right into Hollands Lane, following the footpath north east and bearing right along a bridleway to Burrough on the Hill. Exit the churchyard by the right-hand stile and head north. Turn right along a track below the ramparts back to the start.

 

POI information

The gently rolling countryside of what is known as High Leicestershire, found in the east of the county, is a quiet rural area with an excellent network of paths. These are very clearly marked with yellow-topped wooden posts, making them easy to follow. Part of the Leicestershire Round, a 160km/100-mile circular route, passes through the region and is also well waymarked. There are many attractive villages, several of which this route takes you through. The ironstone and limestone churches and other buildings are somewhat reminiscent of the Cotswolds. Burrough Hill, the starting point, which is crowned by a well-preserved Iron Age hill fort, is one of the highest points in Leicestershire and provides superb views.

Notes

Terrain: Arable fields, pasture, woodland, parkland, short stretches along quiet country lanes. Part of the route follows the well signed Leicestershire Round. The going may become muddy in wet weather and some field paths may be ploughed over, in which case follow the field edge.

Maps: OS Explorers 246 & 233; Landrangers 129 & 141.

Eating & drinking: Available at Somerby, Tilton on the Hill, Twyford and at Burrough on the Hill.

Sleeping: There are self-catering cottage near Burrough Hill. Hotels and B&Bs are further afield in Melton Mowbray and Oakham (contact the Tourist Information Centre below).

Visitor Information: Leicester Tourist Information Centre, Every Street (0844 8885181, www.goleicestershire.com).

Local Ramblers Group: Melton Mowbray Ramblers ( www.meltonramblers.org.uk).

Fitness Level: 2/3

Navigation Level: 2

 
Acknowledgements

This walk originally appeared in Walk Magazine in Summer 2012 (issue 35).

  • Toposcope on Burrough Hill
    Toposcope on Burrough Hill
    By - Ramblers
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