WILL’S WALKS

WILL’S WALK

Little Bytham and Holywell

This is a gentle stroll through a calm corner of southwest Lincolnshire. By Will Hetherington

The West Glen river in Little Bytham.

Difficulty rating

THE ROUTE

I parked on Station Road in Little Bytham to start the walk in a westward direction down Church Lane. You will immediately have the West Glen river for company as you saunter down this peaceful village track, and you will pass the pretty footbridge by a ford on your right. Keep heading west and you will soon enter the north east corner of a field. he footpath now curves round to a southerly direction, but there is a permissive path around the perimeter of the field, which you may want to ta e to e tend the wal . f not then stay on the footpath and soon pass under the old railway bridge before a very gradual climb as you continue south. ou will go through a small field and then two larger ones before arriving at Lodge Farm where a sign will direct you around the tennis court for easier passage. Once past Lodge Farm you start to get a sense of the ancient charm of tiny Holywell in its natural bowl. Skirt the side of the wood as you descend the hill and pass Hollow Cottages in a scene straight from an Enid Blyton book. Walk up the hill and you will soon join the road on the northern edge of Holywell. From here walk down the road over the bridge and turn left to take a loo at the la e before retracing your steps. o return to Little Bytham you can go bac e actly the same way you came, or one field after Lodge arm on the way bac you will see another permissive footpath. If you take the right turn here it will quickly take you through ACTIVE INFO some small fields before reaching the road

A permissive footpath is not fortuitously close to the Willoughby Arms, a public right of way. It is a path specialising in real ales and a warm welcome. clearly signed as permissive that a rom here it’s only five minutes bac to your landowner allows the public to use. This may be for walkers, riders, car. cyclists, or any combination.

However there is no statutory right of access.

The church of St Medard and St Gildard in Little Bytham.

Little Bytham.

Essential information

WHERE TO PARK On Station Road in Little Bytham just by the bridge over the West Glen river.

DISTANCE AND TIME Four miles/an hour and a half.

HIGHLIGHTS The pretty West Glen river in Little Bytham and the charming setting of Holywell. Plus the overall serenity of the whole walk.

LOWLIGHTS It’s not a loop but the permissive footpaths add variety and allow for a different way back into Little Bytham.

REFRESHMENT The Willoughby Arms in Little Bytham.

DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws. There’s nothing challenging here.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE The West Glen is dog paradise and it’s mostly arable although there will always be sheep around Holywell.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it. START/ FINISH

Hollow Cottages at Holywell.

WILL’S WALK

Launde Abbey and Withcote Hall

If serenity is what you seek then the peaceful surroundings of the Abbey will deliver on this walk through the rolling hills of east Leicestershire. By Will Hetherington

Descending into the Chater valley.

Launde Abbey - as peaceful as it gets.

Difficulty rating

THE ROUTE

ACTIVE INFO

There is a handy small layby at the western end of the wonderfully named The Wisp, the straight road which runs south-west from Braunston. There’s only room for two or three cars but it’s a good starting point for this walk. Otherwise there is parking at Launde Abbey if you are a customer. I parked at the end of The Wisp so the instructions start from there. There are three path options here but you need to take the bridleway which heads south down the wide lane to a small piece of woodland, with superb views along the way, before a short climb. When you get to the next fork in the road turn left, but make sure you stay on the bridleway here and don’t take the extreme left turn. You will soon come to a gateway where you continue heading east, and then take the right hand turn in the next Launde Abbey is an field boundary to turn south and steeply down hill. ou will Elizabethan manor house in an idyllic setting in the Chater valley, and it is a residential pass through a lovely piece of woodland near the bottom of the hill, before continuing gradually down through the next retreat for peaceful overnight field and then turning right at the bottom and oining the stays, with a popular Leicestershire Round for a while. You will soon cross the restaurant and daytime hater as the path ma es its pretty way ust to the north of café. Launde ar ood and, after another couple of fields, brings you out on the uiet road ust above Launde bbey. his really is one of the most beautiful spots in the whole area and is well worth a closer look. The café is open from 10am to 5pm every day so you might want to pop in before completing your walk. To resume the route head north on the Leicestershire Round which goes from the cattle grid in front of the Abbey. You will cross the Chater again and then go up and over a mound in the next hill before descending to Withcote Hall. From here there are two options to get bac to your car. too the first which is longer and involves retracing your steps in the final stages. his goes past venue arm, through Cottage Farm and then there is a steep climb to the north east of Withcote Lodge. From the top of the climb there are stunning views and bac to the car from here is the same route as the first minutes of the walk. The second option from Withcote Hall, which you can see easily on the OS map, is much quicker but has a similarly steep climb.

Stunning countryside and wide open paths await you here.

Essential information

WHERE TO PARK Either at the western end of The Wisp or at Launde Abbey if you are going to be a customer there.

DISTANCE AND TIME Five miles/one hour and 45 minutes.

HIGHLIGHTS This is peak rolling Leicestershire countryside with a blend of farmland and woods providing endless beautiful views. Launde Abbey is a stunning building in an equally stunning setting

LOWLIGHTS There are no villages but I’m not sure that’s really a lowlight.

REFRESHMENTS The Launde Abbey café is open from 10am to 5pm every day or there is the Blue Ball pub in Braunston.

DIFFICULTY RATING Three paws. It’s a medium length walk with some steep sections.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE You will fi nd some livestock on the route but it’s largely arable and the Chater crossings provide some fresh water.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it. START/ FINISH