[1] Near the end of Barrow Lane take the path of the old Leicester to Swannington Railway line (A) to your left (between the brook and the industrial estate) which crosses Mill Lane and goes under the A46 and M1 and then rejoins the old railway track to come out in Ratby at the Railway Inn.
(A) This path is on the route of the former Leicester to Swannington Railway from West Bridge Station to Desford and Coalville. The line, engineeered by Robert Stephenson, opened in 1832 and carried coal from the Leicestershire coalfield and granite from the Groby quarries. Passenger trains serving Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe and Ratby ceased in 1928 and the line finally closed in 1966. It is possible to walk from the site of Leicester West Bridge station to Ratby along the old track bed - with diversions around the closed Glenfield tunnel
[2] Turn right and walk up the main road and through the village for about half a mile and then, just past the Bulls Head, turn up Burroughs Road on your left. As you walk up Burroughs Road you are now entering the National Forest. After a short distance turn left onto the footpath just past The Plough Inn.
For an alternative, shorter route, continue to follow Burroughs Road for approx. 0.6km, and then take the sign posted path to the right across the field (this should be the second sign posted sign and is just before you come to the ford). Continue forward through the gate into a dark strip of woodland along the path following the charming little stream. Continue straight forward through two further gates and follow this footpath through the edge of the field to cross the stream over the little footbridge. Continue through the secluded, wooded path to emerge onto Cow Lane where you turn right to rejoin the route.
[3] Take the path on your left around the football pitch and then diagonally down to the right through the fields, continue forward through the wood and bear left to cross the stream onto a farm road. Turn right along this road, but where it swings into the farm, carry on using a sometimes muddy path which goes through a gate in the hedge just up the hillside from the stream. This bridleway carries on, following the stream, and then passes through established woodland.
Take care along these field paths and paths through the woods as there are a number of stiles and the paths can be very muddy and slippery
(B) Just visible on the right is the ancient Bury Camp. This is an Iron Age Hill Fort dating from around 100 BC. Evidence from the site indicates continuity of settlement here from as early as 10,000 years age. Pottery has been found from the Iron and Bronze Ages with shards of pottery from the Roman period also being found. Please note - there is no public access to the site.
[4] Upon exiting the wood through the gate there is a bridleway junction., Turn right over the footbridge onto the bridleway around the edge of some mature woodland on your right which is private. You are welcome to enter the woodlands on your left which are part of Burroughs Wood. The bridleway comes out onto the farm track, which is a continuation of Burroughs Road. Turn right and continue forward for about 200m.
(C) This is another part of Burroughs Wood, owned by the Woodland Trust and was created by adding to existing old woodlands as part of the National Forest.
[5] Enter the woodlands over the stile to your left. Follow the path directly in front of you, which goes through areas of ancient woodland before opening out into areas of new planting. After about 500m turn left at the crossing of paths to exit the woodlands over a stile to your left, however feel free to explore the area more if you wish to. After crossing the stile follow the farm path to your right,along the edge of the wood,
(D) There is a good view of a 13th century farmstead and Old Hayes Farm dating from 1773.
[6] After approximately 0.5 km the farm track swings to the left. Turn right and then left to follow the bridleway through the edge of the woods. This track emerges onto Cow Lane. Continue forward passing Marston Farm on your left and continue until you come out onto Markfield Road, which you should cross with care before entering the newly planted woodlands facing you.
Traffic is quite fast on this deceptively busy country lane - take care when crossing the road
(E) These are also part of The National Forest and known as Grey Lodge Woods.
[7] Take the path in front and then cross diagonally to the far right hand corner where a stile takes you into part of the historic Martinshaw Wood.
(F) Martinshaw Wood has been a managed wood since the 13th century and formed part of the estate of the Earls of Stamford supplying timber products to the local economy. The Forestry Commission acquired the land in 1950, began planting in 1954 and continued until 1969. Twenty-seven species of both native and exotic broadleaves and conifers were planted. In 1967 the woods were dissected by the construction of M1 which left the bulk of the woods on the Groby side and the remainder on the Ratby side of the motorway. Its 102 hectares are now part of the National Forest
Go straight on following any of the paths which head across this area and keeping the M1 on your left, and you will eventually come out at the back of Ratby by a small car park.
[8] Turn left over the motorway bridge and continue over the two fields, keeping the picturesque white house on your left, then take the path which goes across the back of Groby Community College, with the larger part of Martinshaw Wood on your left, and come out onto oodbank Road in Groby. Turn right (downhill) and cross the main road into the lay-by.
[9] Take the steps in front and turn right to follow the path to emerge onto Sacheverell Way .
(G) This is along the line of the 1832 Groby Granite Railway which was surveyed by George Stephenson and his son Robert
Turn left along this main road and, after about 1 kilometre, take the footpath on your right signposted Glenfield - just by the entrance to a playing field - which goes over the A46 and crosses the fields to rejoin Barrow Lane.