Walk 1
A 2 day wander through the beautiful countryside around the historic little town of Market Bosworth. Market Bosworth is a sleepy town, home to a number of lovely independent pubs, restaurants and cafes, perfect for hungry explorers. Much of the walking on this short break makes use of the wonderful, peaceful Ashby Canal, where kingfishers may sometimes be spotted and which weaves it way through lovely little peaceful villages. There's plenty of places to relax along the way, from canalside cafes to delightful pubs. Uncover the story of the Battle of Bosworth, the death of King Richard iii and the discovery of his remains under a Leicester car park. Explore the lovely Victorian stations along the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Railway, where you can take tea on one railway platform and watch an artisan glass blower at work on another. In season, you can even enjoy a ride on a steam train back to your hotel. Craft lovers can combine their walking holiday with a chance to learn a new skill at a wonderful rural crafts centre. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to a monthly art gallery and brocante. Daily mileage is between 6 and 10 miles, with lots of options to tailor the distance to suit you.
NIGHTS
2
DAILY MILEAGE
8 - 10 miles
AVAILABILITY
Start any day, all year
ACCOMMODATION
Small local hotels, handpicked for a comfortable stay and excellent breakfast. All rooms are ensuite
Bed and Breakfast
PRICE
£365.00
Price includes
Ensuite accommodation on a b&b basis, car parking, luggage transfer when moving hotels, detailed self-guide route to follow at your own pace. We're on hand to offer local support when required
Price excludes
Travel to your holiday starting point. Entry to attractions. Single supplement. Dinners. Extra nights. Travel insurance
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS
Exploring the pretty little Leicestershire villages.
Wandering along the peaceful Ashby Canal.
Discovering more about the Battle of Bosworth and death of King Richard iii.
A ride on the Bosworth Battlefield Line Heritage Railway, through the glorious countryside.
Sitting with a coffee at a canalside cafe, watching the ducks swimming by.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive – The base for your walking holiday is the luxurious B&B No. 3, in the heart of the little town of Market Bosworth. Arrive at your leisure. We will meet you when you have settled in and answer any questions that you might have. We have lots of options for a short walk to enjoy this afternoon or enjoy a meander around the town's shops before dinner. The hotel also own a fabulous restaurant within the town and there are other fabulous options just a short walk away.
Day 2: Today's 8 mile walk begins with a stroll through the Bosworth Country Park. The parkland is a fabulous example of open habitat and was styled in the style of Capability Brown in the late 18th Century .It is spectacular in every season. Bluebells, primroses and fritillaries carpet the woodland floor in Spring. Wildflower meadows are alive with colour in summer and the exotic maple trees in the arboretum glow vicid orange and reds in autumn. Look out for the stew ponds, created by local monks for rearing fish. Keep an eye out for woodpeckers and nuthatches as you walk through the woodland. First stop on today's walk is the village of Sutton Cheney and the popular canalside cafe. Outside tables line the canal towpath and are the perfect place to sit and watch the ducks swimming by. Your walking holiday continues through woodland and past King Richard's well, where King Richard iii is reputed to have drank before the Battle of Bosworth. The track leads to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, where you can learn more about the story of the Battle of Bosworth and the death of King Richard iii. A short walk from the Battlefield Centre brings you to Shenton Station, the end of the Bosworth Battlefield Line Heritage Railway. Watch the artisan glass blower at work in the old ticket office. In season you can take a train back to Market Bosworth. A short distance from the station lies the conservation village of Shenton. Look out for opening dates of the White Dove pop up brocante and art gallery. Rejoin the Ashby Canal towpath, when you are ready, and follow it all the way back to Market Bosworth. If you're still full of energy then we recommend a 3 mile detour to the unique Squirrel craft shop and workshop.
Day 3: Today's 7 mile walk will take you to the pretty little village of Shackerstone, the main base of the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Railway. Enjoy a leisurely amble along the Ashby Canal towpath, as it winds through the peaceful countryside. Heritage lovers might enjoy a detour at Congerstone to see the ruined remains of Gopsall Temple, a folly where Handel is said to have composed much of his music. Alongside the canal at Shackerstone, you will find the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Railway Station. Visit the Victorian tearoom on the station platform and admire the wonderful trains as they prepare to steam their way through the Leicestershire countryside. The Rising Sun pub in the village centre is the perfect place to enjoy lunch and a pint, sitting at one of the outside tables. The pub is a popular place with lovers of vintage vehicles. On a sunny weekend, expect vintage cars, old tractors and even the occasional penny farthing! If you have not already done so, we recommend a trip on the Bosworth Battlefield Line, back to your starting point at Market Bosworth. Alternatively, your walking holiday takes you along tracks to the village of Barton in the Beans, which was a stronghold of the Baptist revival in the late 18th century. The route takes you across agricultural land to the little village of Carlton. Here you will find the Gate Hangs Well pub and cafe, which is the perfect place to stop before you continue the final part of your walking holiday, arriving back in Market Bosworth.