This 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 library turn right onto Aikman Avenue then turn right onto New Parks Boulevard. Continue ahead on New Parks Boulevard, crossing Dillon Way and keeping straight on to reach the roundabout on Groby Road.
[2] Follow the pavement round to the right and cross Groby Road using the pedestrian refuges by the traffic lights. (take care when crossing this very busy road - there's no protection on the second crossing). Turn right and continue along Groby Road with the NHS staff car park on the left.
[3] Cross over the car park vehicle entrance and turn left onto the footpath 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 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 bear right near the end to take the path to the NHS staff car park. Notice the colourful bird nesting boxes in the trees along this roadway. (Caution: beware of oncoming vehicles in road)
[6] Turn right at the bottom of the car park and follow your tracks back along Groby Road and cross the road where you crossed before.
[7] Turn right then left onto New Parks Boulevard and continue to Dillon Way. Turn left and then first right onto Dillon Road and continue ahead.
[8] Where the road bends left turn second right onto Elgin Avenue and follow the path through to Aikman Avenue and the library.