Melkeg three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

A pleasant and varied Slow Way. The start from Kegworth takes in the stops and shops of the High Street before a great use of quiet residential streets and a field crossing to a series road crossings to the East Midlands Gateway. The crossings are simple and safe. If you take a moment to look around, the views are marvellous. The footpath around the airport was functional but clearly signed including a stretch between the runway lights. As approach and take off was west-east that day I was a little disappointed not to have been up closer to a Barcelona bound plane taking off but takeoff timings being what they are I saw one from beyond the Ashby Road. Soon after, the walk down Hyam's Lane was one of the highlights of the walk with its views across the Leicestershire countryside. Diseworth is a pretty village, and not far beyond it you cross the rolling East Midland hills before a section along an old railway. This was my fifth visit to Melbourne, but the first time I'd approached it from the south east. I can see it was designed like it was, the route into Melbourne was another highlight. The approach past Melbourne Pool is sublime. The Spirit Vaults is a highly recommended place for refreshment before completing the remaining hundred metres to the meeting place at the bus stop home. In summary, this was a four star route with five star sections. It's reasonably direct, is safe, enjoyable, easy to follow and possibly because it uses a lot of the Cross Britain Way is well maintained. The down sides are brief sections which are less than enjoyable rather than any cause of frustration, stress or fear. A great day out, very deserving of a Snail.

Avoids road walking and keeps to public and accepted permissive routes. Needs care and a minor diversion close to Donnington Park Services. Once onto a track to Diseworth it’s a great route. Stiles and some steps so not wheel friendly. Shares paths with Cross Britain Way these were clear and signed. Some grass and pasture so livestock. Inns at Diseworth and Wilson, neither tested. Some great views.

I walked from Kegworth with David and Hugh having failed to load my track into the GPS device, memory and efficient companions got us through. Leaving Kegworth the field path is well walked so worth using rather than the road. It would also be possible to use the old bridge over the motorway to pause and remember the air disaster of 1989 in which 47 people lost their live.

The permissive perimeter path is not well signed until you find it. It offers a good view at the end of the runway but arrival and departure schedules failed to coincide with our walk. The permissive path makes use of an isolated section of definitive path along the tarmac of an abandoned road. The gate and fence look obstructive but there is a gap, which might get overgrown.

The road crossing needs extreme care perhaps best to leg it over the barrier opposite the signed path. Not a well used route across and alongside a ploughed field. Then a yellow topped post directs the path into an overgrown thicket hence the loop which offers a solution.

Once on Hyam’s Lane it’s joy all the way. There is a footpath in the field but the lane offers a good easy surface even if the hedge blocks the view. Take care to fork into the field at the approach to Diseworth the footpath does have a link, the map may suggest it does not.

Diseworth is a pretty village with an inn and buses but also a problem being so close to the airport. Signs indicate issues with parking and potential for yet more sheds which might affect this route. The village roads have pavements and or little traffic.

From here it’s the Cross Britain Way (CBW) which is signed and we found the paths across arable fields were well reinstated. An interesting brick footbridge over a stream has been restored, old maps show a weir here which appears to be associated with Fish Ponds at Langley Priory. No sign of a mill, my initial guess.

Approaching Tonge we get an impressive view of the church at Breedon, perched on the edge of the, now worked out quarry. The stiles at the A453 are easy to locate but a bit off line. We see just a little of the hamlet before a flight of steps takes us onto the easy level walking of the Cloud Trail, turning north. The CBW heads south, if you want to visit Breedon village and church stay on the CBW.

Approaching Wilson there was the option of a field path to cut the corner but it looked overgrown so as now plotted we pressed on to the road bridge. Another inn and safe road walking then we are soon back in fields. A line of cables marks the brow of the hill from where we can see our destination. We meet up again with the CBW for the final approach which David said explained my reluctance to make the approach via the old rail route. I offer a favourite path of mine. beside the lake then alongside the church before passing underneath a house to finally meet the road.

The meeting place in the town centre offers buses and just around the corner a public loo. If you have a choice Melbourne is the place to finish Melkeg.

Walked from Kegworth. Mostly very enjoyable, but the footpath south from the airport is little used and the official line is too overgrown to follow easily - fortunately we were able to find the alternative as plotted.

As far as the East Midlands gateway, this route is the same as Melkeg one. We then follow the edge of the airport runways south through a grassy strip, that narrows to a path between fences. Eventually we reach an old access road which takes us out to Ashby Road. Crossing may require care and patience, as there is no assistance. Beyond the stile, the path is largely unmarked as it goes round an arable field. One way or another you should find your way through to the lane that heads towards Diseworth. The supposed right of way path parallel to the lane does not exist on the ground, staying on the lane is much easier.

We take a short-cut path across grassy fields then follow the pavements through Diseworth - we are now on the Cross Britain Way. We head out of the village then turn right at the second footpath sign along a farm road, which we leave to cross a field left of the farmhouse. Finding the right cut line across the next field is a navigational challenge, but if you go wrong you can follow the tractor tracks round to find the correct exit. The rest of the field path down to Tonge is either well marked or across open pastures.

At Tonge we descend steps to join the Cloud Trail Greenway, a path/cycletrack once a railway. We were considering using the shortcut field path to Wilson but the pungent rape seed field deterred us, and there are steps just beyond the road that allow access to it just right/east of the bridge. More quiet roads take us through the village, and we then follow a good path up the hill and continue down the track to join the popular lakeside path into Melbourne. We then turn left beyond the church using an old passageway through the houses before joining Church Street for the last few steps - this has a pavement on the north side. We enjoyed our visit to the Spirit Vaults pub.

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