Wistow and Newton Bridge from Fleckney

Leicestershire Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

Fleckney is a thriving village of some 5,000 people, about 5 miles east of Leicester. Start at the free car park next to Fleckney Baptist Church (grid ref. SK650935). From here head north up High Street. Turn left into Kilby Road and then right into Coleman Road. At grid reference SP6429388 take the footpath between houses on the left that leads into open countryside.

Head along the side of the first field and then go diagonally right at the second field. Continue through the hedgerow into the next field with the boundary on your left. At the end of the field go left and follow the narrow path. This leads across fields with Fox Covert Wood on your right to reach a bridleway (grid ref. SP632946). Turn right along the bridleway continuing until you reach a lane with a cattle grid (grid ref. SP637956).

Cross the cattle grid and then turn sharp right into another bridleway which will lead you into the Wistow Garden Centre car park. The garden centre provides s suitable place for teas and other refreshments and in summer they have a Maize Maze with proceeds going to charity.

Reaching another road, Wistow Road, at the end of the car park, turn right until you reach a footpath sign on the left. Take this path which leads you past St Wolstan's Church, Wistow. After crossing a footbridge, bear left and cross the fields towards Newton Bridge. Reaching a road, turn right and follow it until you reach St Luke's Church, whose graveyard is well worth a visit on account of the unique children's gravestone within it.

Leave the churchyard and return to the road to cross the canal bridge (grid ref. SP639967). Drop down to the towpath and walk south east with the canal on your right. This is the Grand Union canal which is followed for just over one and a half miles until you reach Crane's Lock. Leave the canal here, crossing the canal bridge and following the path to Wistow Road (grid ref. SP655952).

Cross the road and continue to follow the path through two fields to reach a footbridge (grid ref. SP652947). Cross the bridge and follow the hedgerow on your right. At the end of the field turn right over a stile and continue along the side of a field. At the end of that field the path swaps sides of the boundary with the hedgerow now on your right. On reaching a road (grid ref. SP648938) turn left and continue past the surgery and Old Crown public house to the reach the start. I hope you have enjoyed your ramble.

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