This inner city walk has a number of busy roads, please take care when crossing these and use pedestrian crossings where possible
Some of the pavements and paths are uneven in places - take care.
[1] From the Centre cross Upperton Road onto Western Boulevard and descend by steps onto the towpath of the River Soar/Grand Union Canal and continue to the left. - alternatively continue along Western Boulevard to avoid the towpath
Beware of cyclists on the towpath and all other pathways as they are shared routes.
Keep children away from the edge of the towpath
(A) The canal is a branch off the Grand Union Canal, which runs from London to Birmingham. This Leicester Line of the Canal runs from Norton Junction through Foxton Locks to join the River Trent at Ratcliffe on Soar. This part of the river was straightened in the canal era and is known as the ' Mile Straight'. The canal enabled coal to be moved from the Leicestershire coalfields to market much cheaper than by horse and helped to 'fire' up the Industrial Revolution.
[2] After about 400m turn right and cross the river onto Mill Lane. You are now in the De Montfort University campus. On your right is the Queens Building which won awards for its environmental features. It was opened in 1993. On the left is the Fletcher Building home of the Faculty of Art and Design.
[3] After about 200m turn left onto The Gateway and continue to its end. You are now entering the Castle Conservation Area.
(B). Most of the buildings in the Castle Conservation Area are 'listed' and much of the area is a scheduled monument encompassing - Castle Gateway, Great Hall of Leicester Castle, Turret Gateway, Trinity Hospital which dates from 1331 and the Magazine Gateway among others. Leicester Castle was built in 1060 and little remains of the original structure.
[4] Turn right opposite Trinity Hospital (now part of De Montfort University) onto the Newarke. On your right is the Hawthorn Building, the original building of the College of Art and Technology the forerunner of the University. Then take the first left onto Castle View. Pass through Turret Gateway and continue through Castle Yard passing the Great Hall of Leicester Castle and St Mary de Castro Church which was founded in 1107 and rebuilt after it had been destroyed by fire in the 1180s. The road bends round to the right. Pass through the Castle Gateway and then turn left into Castle Gardens.
(C) Castle Gardens was opened in 1926 and the 4 acre site has a rock garden, mixed borders, two small ponds, a waterfall and a maypole
[5] Continue left through the Castle Gardens, walking beside the river, passing the rear of the Great Hall, the Castle Motte remains and the maypole. Exit right at the Soar Point onto The Newarke.
[6] Cross the bridge and turn left onto Western Boulevard, remain on the road or drop down to the river by the steps (no ramp) and retrace your route back to the Watershed Youth Centre.