Shackerstone and the Ashby Canal

Roy Davenport

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Park in this little Leicestershire village. Follow a very quiet country lane for about a mile and then cross fields to reach a green lane. This will take you down to the Ashby Canal and a quiet and peaceful walk along the towpath, back to your car. You will meet the occasional barge whose helmsman will want to exchange greetings. This part of the canal is a designated preservation area and teems with wildlife. Flowers, birds and other wildlife will be found all the way along the canal; I've seen foxes, herons, grass snakes and a sparrowhawk. At one point after Bridge 56 will be found a rare species of dragonfly. At the right time of the year, tiny bundles of fluff, sometimes as many as eleven, will be seen scurrying all over the canal while Mother Duck desperately tries to keep her brood together, as opposed to the regal swan leading her flotilla in line astern with Dad bringing up the rear to see that the family is kept in order!

England - Central England - Leicestershire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Mostly Flat, Museum, Play Area, Pub, Restaurant, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

5/22/2012 - Roy Davenport

I'm sorry about the eyesore on this green lane. I have complained many times, visited council offices and taken numerous photo shoots to show them the problem. This green lane lies between Leicestershire's Northwest District council (Coalville) and Leicestershire's Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (Hinckley). They cannot agree on who's responsiblity it is to clean up the lane and so it just gets left. Therefore we have to put up with it. However rest assured the walk route is clear and wait for the greenery to once again cover it all over.

5/20/2012 - Debra Wyatt

This was a good easy walk. Loved the canal part it was so picturesque. Very quiet walk, dogs loved being off the lead and got through all the stiles easily. Only disappointing part was when you came through the small wood to green lane. Unfortunately the area has been used by people to dump all of their rubbish, mattresses, tyres, cables and a lot had been set fire to and burnt the hedges. Went for a cup of tea at the train station after. It was lovely.

4/28/2011 - Andrea Bridge

Enjoyed this walk today which was (as previously stated) dog friendly - our collie managed to get through all of the mentioned stiles, no problem. A leisurely, easy to follow route - and enjoyed a peaceful cider at the pub at the end of the route!

11/6/2010 - Elaine Kent

My first of hopefully many of your walks. A lovely easy circuit for a Saturday morning walk, dog friendly, as they only needed to be on the lead for a small section of the walk and they loved the swim in the canal.

4/8/2009 - Roy Davenport

OK March 09 RD

6/2/2007 - Roy Davenport

Checked June 07 and all fine.