Meamar two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Meamar here.

This route uses three promoted routes, Leicestershire Round, Ivanhoe Way (very briefly) and the Ashby Canal Path all are waymarked. Still possible to meet cattle, horses and cropped fields. Some stiles but many gates. Refreshments half way and a seat. Escape transport poor.

I walked from Market Bosworth having dropped off the bus from Leicester. A pleasant town with services so best to stock up as there is not a huge choice along the way. We start on the popular and well signed Leicestershire Round but as always using GPS offers confidence. The inn at Carlton is way off route and we’ve only just got started so press on across some fields and hope you are not the first visitor since cultivation but the yellow topped posts are a great help.

The roof of Shackerstone station offers a guide to the bridge over the railway and a tea shop here will be open if trains are running but access needs purchase of a platform ticket. We join the canal on the edge of the village so if you want to use the inn or a seat in the churchyard a detour is requited.

From here it’s difficult to loose your way, just keep the water on the left. There may be a few boats on the move, the numbered brick arch bridges and mile markers confirm progress. So no navigation issues which for some may make the route a little unchallenging.

At Snarestone there is no towpath through the short tunnel so we climb into the village, conveniently alongside The Globe Inn. A brief tour takes us back onto the towpath and here it was rather wet but there had been a lot of rain. A roving bridge offers a change of scene as it moves the towpath to the opposite bank, wow!

The Ashby Canal Association base at what was the end of navigation, offers drinks and advice. On my visit the towpath was closed, due to badger borrows, so a detour up to the road then a public footpath was suggested and followed back to the route.

I rejoined the canal line at the new head of navigation but access by boat is also closed at present. From here we follow the canal path waymarkers. The route is initially along the original line across an area that is work in progress. After Ilott Wharf follow the signs along the diversion route not the right of way which follows the abandoned canal line.

We finally hit the streets of Measham for a short walk to the meeting place close to shops and limited transport options.

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