Keglou two

Verified Slow Way

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A lovely walk to take in the canal, river and villages.
Take in the birds and some of the plants growing in the area as well.

A really good connecting route for the villages to Loughborough and extremely easy to follow.

I walked this one from Kegworth to Loughborough, so in the opposite direction to the first reviewer Ken.

Leaving Kegworth, rather than going straight down Nottingham Road and Mill Lane, the route uses the Lovers Walk path, which is narrow and a little overgrown in places - for me this seems like an unnecessary complication.

We rejoin Mill Lane and take the short cut path straight on to join Station Road and cross the bridges over the Soar and the canal.

Immediately beyond the canal bridge, the riverside path goes down steps to reach the track in the field - the gate where the track joins the road appears to be locked. We soon leave the riverside path to take the direct field path towards Sutton Bonington church - this is currently well cut and easy to follow but at one point there is a small bridge accessed by steps on both sides and a stile on the west side - the other field boundaries have gates.

We pass through the village, past the church and a small stop, and reach Pasture Lane, where there is a pub. We leave the village along this quiet road, passing the new Diamond Jubilee wood. Eventually the surfaced road becomes an unsurfaced but easy field track. Where the Zouch cut canal is reached, we follow the north bank of the canal to the road bridge. There is a pub on the far side of this canal which is only 100 yards or so off route, and offers the last refreshments before Loughborough.

Having crossed the canal on the road bridge, the route ahead follows the west bank of the Soar, but first there are three bridges to cross, and the third (southernmost) has steps either side of it. Beyond this bridge the riverside path is unsurfaced, and fairly easy to follow. We pass Normanton on Soar (on the far side of the village), which can sometimes be accessed using a chain link ferry.

Beyond the village watch out for the gate where the riverside path leaves the field track. The way forward follows the river and then the canal on a fairly good path.

The canal route through the industrial estate feels surprisingly green thanks to the trees. Eventually we cross the canal on a road bridge and continue along the east bank.

Ignore the bridge that goes straight on to Loughborough Wharf, and follow the main canal which takes a sharp bend east.

Note that where the canal reaches Nottingham Road there are a few steps to climb. These can be avoided by taking the path through the housing estate a little further north. A pelican crossing takes us to the meeting point outside the rail station.

Overall, this is a very pleasant walk, though not one suitable for wheelchairs, buggies or bikes thanks to the stiles, steps and narrow field paths.

I walked Loughborough to Kegworth. Not a good meeting place in Loughborough no seats and out of town. I have suggested it be moved to the town centre. Generally the route is easy to follow and a good surface, no stiles but steps. There could be cattle in the riverside fields. An inn at Zouch needs a minor diversion or inn and shop at Sutton Bonnington. Hourly bus, not Sundays, serves those villages.

A flight of steps leads down to the canal towpath, I suspect these could be avoided with some alternative road walking. A waterside inn offers early or near end refreshment but the route misses all town services which could be accessed by taking the canal branch at the junction. The map suggests walking through an industrial area but in reality it's mostly screened by a belt of greenery providing a good route out of town.

After Bishop's Meadow Lock the canal joins the river proper and the path follows a wide grassy track close to the water offering very pleasant walking. Riverside chalets area feature along this part of the Soar attracted by the low banks, but this does mean there could at times be flooding. The spire of Normanton church comes into view and I was surprised and delighted to discover that the long disused ferry has been reinstated. It operates on summer weekends only but it offers an opportunity to access Normanton with its community shop and cafe plus the inn, then road and path walk to Zouch. However doing that you will miss sight of the riverside properties which have the feeling of a Thames side walk.

Crossing the weir to enter Zouch there are picnic benches on Turnpike Island. The route crosses the road and joins the canal on the north bank so if you want use of the inn stay on the road, it's then possible to continue further to rejoin the route using a cross field bridleway. The bridleway becomes Pasture Lane to enter Sutton Bonnington where a further inn and a shop will not see you short of food and drink, plus seats.

Hourly buses here will take you to each end of this Slow Way but not on a Sunday. Leaving the main road into Soar Lane don't miss the narrow unsigned footpath into the fields. All gates along the way but a few steps to access the bridge over a stream. The later cropped fields had not been reinstated by the farmer so if you are the first to walk the path after cultivation keep a close eye on the plot.

Kegworth church spire offers false hope of reaching the destination unless you swim. Better to follow the path to the bridge then down the meadow view footpath fronted by houses. I'm not persuaded by the final loop, even those who have named the path would have difficulty walking hand in hand along this narrow neglected path, stay on the road unless a kiss and cuddle is your intention on Lovers Walk.

Kegworth has shops, inns and the meeting place has some seats plus a better bus service to Loughborough, Leicester, Derby and Nottinghamso I commend this walk to the residents of those places with my fivesta r review.

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