Ratby Burroughs

Roy Davenport

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Ratby has a long and interesting history. The oldest known human settlement was at the Bury Camp, an Iron Age encampment dating back about 3,000 years. About 1,950 years ago the Roman Army adapted the camp for temporary use as a fort. Sadly, the site is seldom open to the public. The church was built in the medieval period. There are also some cottages dating back several centuries.

The Industrial Revolution also brought the railway. Ratby had a station on the Leicester to Swannington line, one of the first lines in the world, opened in 1832. Before the station was built in 1876, passengers bought their tickets in the front room of the Railway Inn. The railway is no more, but the inn still exists and the old ticket office is now a bar!

The striking war memorial, the 'Angel of Peace' constructed after the First World War, was unveiled in 1920 by the British Army Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Haig. This walk will also take you past a stone and slate memorial to 28 British victims who were killed in the Bali bombings on 12th October 2002.

Ratby Burroughs is in two parts: the southern part of fairly new plantations and the northern part, ancient woodlands with carpets of wood anemones and bluebells during the season. Both are part of the New National Forest.

England - Central England - Leicestershire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Mostly Flat, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland

8/17/2014 - Graham Brookes

Currently good for dogs up to about labrador size. There are step stiles from the start to the footbridge at waypoint 3 but a gateway and gaps in fencing nearby allow through all but the largest dogs (as at Aug 2014). There are gates for the remainder of the walk. Cows, bullocks and, depending on time of year, a bull and calves are frequently in the fields crossed by public footpaths between waypoints 2 and 4, Holywell Farm.

5/16/2014 - Graham Brookes

Pleasant maturing woodland and open fields. Really worth 3.5 stars but I am feeling generous due to variety provided (some woodland, some fields and some views over the Midland Plain to the Soar Valley). Bluebells in early May in Burroughs Wood (slight diversion from route required).

11/24/2007 - Mark Palmer

Very easy to follow route nice paths a very enjoyable walk.

12/2/2006 - Roy Davenport

Checked Novemeber 06 OK RD