Leicester: Aylestone Meadow to Abbey Park

Richard Hardy

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You'd be forgiven on downloading the map for this walk for thinking it was a trudge through an urban environment; well, you'd be wrong. The walk, using the former trackbed of the Great Central Railway and the towpath of the Grand Union Canal and River Soar, starts and ends in the meadows and parks of Leicester and although it does have a little urban walking, this can be broken up by visiting the parks that it passes. It's an almost effortless flat walk which would be great for kids, as it starts in great picnic country and the halfway point is a park with loads of amenities. By walking just a bit further you can even add in a visit to the National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station. The walk takes in a great deal of Leicester's history and culture, pasing close to the homes of the city's sports stars, visiting an ancient monument and passing through and along some great industrial archaeology.

England - Central England - Leicestershire - Canal Walk

Features

Ancient Monument, Cafe, Castle, Good for Kids, Good for Wheelchairs, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Museum, Nature Trail, Public Transport, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

4/10/2019 - Mangal Mistry

Did this walk again (07/04/19) ... you can see my photos of the walk here : https://photos.app.goo.gl/Uw9EqQmGj8uAGRMY9 - Wonderful, easy walk with lots to see, parks, the city, people, canal, birds, scenery ... I suggest not to cut across the Aylestone Meadow but go diagonally and join the 'Great Central Way' path a bit futher down ... that way you will enjoy more walking through the greenery of the meadow ... (see the last photo of my shots)

4/14/2014 - Mangal Mistry

Did this walk yesterday (13/04/14). Very easy to follow, interesting, varied .. a little confusing on return journey at point 3 ... may be things have changed since last update ...

10/8/2011 - Richard Hardy

Walk is along trails used by bicycles so depending on your dog some on lead walking may be required. Our dog doesn't mind bikes so can be left off, but I know some dogs love to chase !!