Melton Mowbray — Oakham
Meloak three
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Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Meloak here.
By Hugh Hudson on 28 Jun 2023
Description
Since MELOAK 2 cannot currently be walked due to a footpath closure due to work on the Melton Distributor road (bypass), this one takes a slightly longer and more scenic route via the Burrough Hill fort before rejoining MELOAK 2 at Somerby. The other change I made was to remain on Cold Overton Lane all the way into Oakham - this road felt reasonably safe to me and is more direct. I walked all of it today apart from a short section through Melton
Since MELOAK 2 cannot currently be walked due to a footpath closure due to work on the Melton Distributor road (bypass), this one takes a slightly longer and more scenic route via the Burrough Hill fort before rejoining MELOAK 2 at Somerby. The other change I made was to remain on Cold Overton Lane all the way into Oakham - this road felt reasonably safe to me and is more direct. I walked all of it today apart from a short section through Melton
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 3
Surveys
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Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
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Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
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Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
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Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
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The narrowest part of the path is 40.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)
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Terrain
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40.0% of the route is on roads (1)
10.0% of the route is lit at night (1)
50.0% of the route is paved (1)
5.0% of the route is muddy (1)
1.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
5.0% of the route is through long grass (1)
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1 surveys
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Melton Mowbray
Grid Ref
SK7527519116
Lat / Lon
52.76443° / -0.88585°
Easting / Northing
475,275E / 319,116N
What3Words
liner.pulse.libraries
Oakham
Grid Ref
SK8614408799
Lat / Lon
52.67008° / -0.72751°
Easting / Northing
486,144E / 308,799N
What3Words
roadways.seashell.deal
Melton Mowbray | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK7527519116 |
Lat / Lon | 52.76443° / -0.88585° |
Easting / Northing | 475,275E / 319,116N |
What3Words | liner.pulse.libraries |
Oakham | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SK8614408799 |
Lat / Lon | 52.67008° / -0.72751° |
Easting / Northing | 486,144E / 308,799N |
What3Words | roadways.seashell.deal |
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review
Hugh Hudson
28 Jun 2023 (edited 30 Jun 2023)This is mostly quite a pretty route, and is not much longer than MELOAK 2. The main difference is that includes Burrough Hill, an iron age hillfort with excellent views. There is some road walking which requires a little care. There is also a short steep climb up to the fort, and a few short slightly overgrown sections, but I managed it in shorts without any stings or serious scratches. There are also a couple of large fields where the path line is not clear and navigation requires care. The other highlight for me was a section of the path between Somerby and Cold Overton which runs through a semi-wild area of long grass between a stream and a wood, which makes an excellent habitat for butterflies and damselflies.
From Melton, we head down Burton Street and cross the railway, then follow Ankle Hill and Sandy Lane to the edge of the town, continuing on the quiet single track Sandy Lane (national speed limit, but no sane driver would go very fast) beyond. More roughly surfaced lanes take us to Burrough Lane. In theory there is a right of way straight across, but this involves crossing a locked gate, so when drawing the route I opted for the easier path to the right that follows the edge of the field. Further up the path is a little overgrown, but once out of the wood we are in access land, so you can take any line you like up the steep slope right to reach the Burrough Hill fort. Some may wish to walk all the way round, but I opted for turning left past the trig point, then following the popular track to the car park, where there are picnic tables and public toilets.
The road onwards to Somerby has verges which can be used if necessary, but I found it more comfortable to walk on the road and had no issues with the level of traffic. Somerby boasts the local Camra branch's 2023 pub of the year (the Stilton Cheese), but sadly I didn't have time to sample it. There is also a small village shop. Beyond the village we take the field path to Cold Overton, which is not too difficult to follow, though at one point a degree of confidence is required to enter a farmyard, and it has a number of stiles. Eventually we cross a small wood and head up an open grass slope to reach the village.
The path beyond is not well signposted, and you could easily miss the stile if not looking for it. Further on our path tends left down the hill, so don't be tempted by the footpath marker pole straight ahead which belongs to another path. We cross the road and another large pasture, and beyond the paths through arable fields are well marked. The rest of the route is an easy walk down Cold Overton Road and a simple street walk through Oakham to the meeting point in the market place.
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