Discover the beauty of Belvoir:
Top 4 family-friendly country rambles
There are so many gems within the Vale of Belvoir that are worth exploring on foot; from wooded hillsides to historic villages and peaceful canal paths. We’ve put together a selection of our favourite 4 local walks for you and your family to enjoy.
The Vale of Belvoir is a wide, shallow valley spanning south Nottinghamshire and north Leicestershire. It is dominated by fertile agricultural land which has been farmed since the New Stone Age. The Belvoir Estate itself covers over 16,000 acres of rolling country land and includes properties, parks, woodland and, of course, the famous historical hilltop Belvoir Castle.
Any walk is always improved when it’s accompanied by liquid refreshment and fuel, so we’ve chosen walks that are within a stone’s throw from the Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle’s unique luxury shopping destination. The Fuel Tank Kitchen serves mouthwatering brunches, lunches and take outs, or if you’re wanting a little tipple, you may prefer to pop into the Balloon Bar for a Belvoir Gin or a cocktail?
4 Best walks around the Vale of Belvoir
1. Barkestone Circular – 1 mile
From Barkestone Church take the footpath towards Granby on the left. Keep the hedge on the left. When you see a stile leading to the middle of an open field, turn right and follow the hedge on the right. There is a great view of the Vale from the path.
In the next field turn half left to reach a track. Turn right, then over the bridge and down onto the towpath. Carry straight on until bridge no. 51, then leave the canal, turn right and climb the lane back to the church.
2. Denton Reservoir – 2 miles
This walk leads you from the village of Denton to Denton Reservoir. It’s a stunning walk offering wildlife and watery views. It’s a particular favourite spot for birdwatchers who visit to see Coots, Moorhens, Mallards, Herons, and Kingfishers.
Starting on Church Street, head east to Casthorpe Road and then turn north. You will soon see a footpath on your right which takes you up to the reservoir. Here you will find a nice grassy footpath around the perimeter.
The whole route is about 2 miles but if you feel like stretching your legs further you can head to the nearby Grantham Canal. Following the towpath east will take you into Grantham while heading west leads you towards Woolsthorpe. Around here you can pick up the long distance Viking Way and visit Belvoir Castle.
3. Croxton Kerrial – 5.5 miles
Begin by walking along the A607 towards Melton. Pass the footpath sign on the right, carrying along the A607 road and take the track on the right. Walk to Branston passing sewage treatment works.
Join the road into Branston, turning right at the junction at the top of the hill and follow the footpath sign on the left. Follow the footpath until you come to a set of metal stairs on the right. Take the left footpath at these stairs and then the right footpath across the field towards Eaton.
Before reaching Eaton, turn left and follow the road back to Branston. Turn right on road signposted to Waltham, then take track on left signposted with footpath. Take the next footpath on the right across the field and up the hill and cross the A607.
Follow the path through the field to the stream at bottom. Cross the stream using the wooden bridge and follow the footpath up the hill on the right side of the stream. At the top, go through the gate and continue until you see the Leicestershire County Council yellow waymark sign (don’t turn left down the farm track, on the other side of the gate).
At the waymark sign, turn left and follow the path back to Croxton Kerrial.
4. Stathern Wood – 6.7 miles
Head northwards out of Stathern, passing the village church before continuing along the path leading to Combs Plantation. From here you will pass through the picturesque Plantation before following a footpath passing broadly along its eastern perimeter. At the junction with Toft’s Lane, turn right and follow the track until it joins Belvoir Road.
Follow the pathway and turn left at the crossroads to join Jubilee Way towards Reeded Cottage. Here, effectively double back on a lower track before rejoining Jubilee Way as you pass through areas designated on the OS Map as Barkestone, Plungar and Stathern Wood. Eventually, the path reaches Toft’s Lane where you will turn right and follow the track back into Stathern village.
We hope you enjoy discovering these routes for yourself and don’t forget, whichever walk you choose, to take a pitstop at the Engine Yard to refuel and take in the sheer beauty of the area.