Marear two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Marear here.

Walked from Earl Shilton to Bosworth. A good route, quite wet and muddy in places but never difficult to follow. Starting from the war memorial at Earl Shilton, our first task is to find the end of the footpath, and the GPX reflects the layout of the new housing estate very well. A new surfaced track now leads round to the bridge, but from here on we are mostly on unsurfaced wet muddy ground.

The line uphill across the first field is well marked. Where the two paths diverge it appears that most locals walk round the edge of the field, but in winter conditions it is easy to cross the field as per the right of way. Beyond the next farm the field is well marked down the field, we then head left between farm buildings to reach Kirkby Road.

We head a short distance north and take the byway left, which starts (at least when wet) with a large puddle - fortunately I had a pole so was able to find a shallow line across. The old lane is fairly direct and has good views, but is not quiet when events are on at Mallory Park as the PA there is very loud. Eventually we reach a waymarked path which takes us across some very wet fields into Stapleton, where the pub just south of the route on the main road is your best chance of halfway refreshment.

We turn right onto Dadlington Lane, taking the path right beyond the last houses that starts across a recreation ground and is fairly well waymarked as far as the farm at the top of the hill. Leaving the farm the old right of way line seems to have been lost, but travelling east to west the gate at the end of the farm road is an obvious way into a field, where the path onwards is well trodden, with deep horse footprints. In places it is easier to stick to the field edges than follow the right of way lines, but either way Twenty Acre Lane, the farm track up to Sutton Cheney, should be reached easily enough.

There should be two pubs here, but the Royal Arms Hotel no longer has a public bar so the Hercules Revived (if open) may be your last chance of a drink before Bosworth. The well waymarked Leicestershire Round path starts in the Royal Arms car park then crosses some very wet and muddy fields and little woods to reach the park, where all difficulties end. A well-trodden shortcut avoids the last kink in the right of way line, and a short pavement/road walk takes us to the meeting point at the bus stop in Bosworth's rather impressive square (rather spoiled now as it doubles as a car park).

In addition to the buses to Leicester, there is a new minibus service from here to Hinckley and Coalville, and since I had just missed a Leicester bus I was able to use this to get the train from Hinckley. The Hinckley bus visits Bosworth Square twice, turning round at Bosworth Marina to serve the Ashby canal and the heritage railway.

Preparing to pioneer Marear I had already considered some changes but the walk then resulted in a significant change at Earl Shilton caused by ongoing new housing development. A mix of easy walking plus a few challenges of overgrown hedges, annual vegetation and crops, not welcome on a summer day that allows the wearing of shorts. Mostly cropped fields so no cattle seen. Possible refreshments at Stapleton and Sutton Cheney but only inns so check opening times. Seats in Sutton Cheney church yard and the recreation ground at Stapleton.

This route exits Earl Shilton along the roadside pavement turning into new housing at Westfield Avenue, along the estate roads before taking a surfaced path through a green corridor. The path ends abruptly and we pass through a hedge into farmland. Paths here are used by locals who, it appears, walk around field edges rather than the definitive line.

The extent of dog walking is apparent by the overgrown ditch crossing and gate after which I was forced to deviate around a field of Oil Seed before meeting the bridleway.

Crossing a minor road our path is along a track making it easier going. I took and here suggest the first path across to Stapleton which was fairly easy and did show sign of other users. Once on the village road we pass within sight of the Nags Head and close to the church which may have seats and shelter, I didn’t investigate. The recreation ground had seats galore for a fine day break.

The exit path started well but again I seen arrived at the extent of local use and struggled with an overgrown crossing with brambles across the path and a ditch board hidden but a hazard if I missed my footing.

Approaching Sutton Cheney had had pencilled in an alternative route and was pleased to take it after a difficult few fields. The churchyard has seats and the Almshouses make an attractive setting. Two inns here.

Now on the Leicestershire Round the route is well used and signed but it can be muddy across the first fields before a pleasant tree lined path into Market Bosworth Country Park and a safe link into the village centre with buses to Leicester and most other services including a public loo down a narrow street alongside the Co-op.

The housing development will require diversion of the paths but there are other issues that need sorting. The majority of problems were the result of farmers failing in their duties to reinstate paths and cut back hedges around stiles. A small amount of surface vegetation would be the responsibility of the Highway Authority. Perhaps an easier walk during winter months.

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