Melshe one

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Walked from Shepshed to Melbourne. A real curate's egg - good in parts but let down by some neglected paths with poor waymarking. If the rest had matched the section from the A42 to Melbourne over Breedon hill, I would have agreed with Ken's five stars.

From the centre of Shepshed, we go a short distance west along Field Street then take the alleyway straight on. Two more alleyways take us to New Walk, which we follow to the edge of the village. (For me, none of these short footpaths add anything of interest. so it might have been better to plot the route along the pavements). Once we are on Hallamford Road, there is no pavement and the verges are narrow and too steep to be much use. Fortunately the traffic wasn't too heavy so it didn't feel unsafe. We soon head left onto a very quiet single track road which takes us to Belton.

I agree with Ken that it might have been more sensible to plot the route through Belton so that it passes the pub and the shop, but the line along Presents Lane and School Lane is easy and we are soon out in the fields. I lost concentration here, missed a turn and went almost a mile along the footpath that continues to the west, but the mistake was soon corrected and it was easy enough the get back to the right route using a shortcut path.

Where the path turns right to head up to School Lane, I struggled to find the way into the field - there are gates but these were securely tied with string, so I explored around the corner and found what appeared to be a better gate, but failed to spot the low barbed wire fence beyond it and it tripped me up. No serious damage done, the rest of the path to School Lane is fine.

From here we are on a road, which was not too busy in mid morning on a Saturday. Beyond the A453 roundabout, things deteriorate rapidly. There is a faded signpost indicating the way down into the first ladder, which is very overgrown and the steps are almost impossible to see. There is no path across this grassy field, and because the yellow marker pole had fallen into the undergrowth, the gap in the hedge opposite was very well concealed and took several minutes to find - note that OpenStreetMap is wrong and the crossing point is close to the right of way line but easier to see from the south (picture 7). Beyond the next hedge, we cross two arable fields, neither of which has a cut line corresponding to the right of way, so I opted to walk around the cropped area. The final part of this section up to the A42 bridge is also very overgrown with brambles and nettles, and requires a degree of determination.

Beyond the bridge the rest of the route is excellent. The field paths across to Breedon are very well cut. The path up Breedon Hill is steep but easy to follow, and has two benches to assist those who may be struggling. The hill has fine views in various directions. We use the shortcut path to cut the corner on the way down, which is steep and does not follow the right of way line into the quarry!

We cross the road and take the popular path towards Melbourne. We have to climb another hill to reach a farmhouse on a ridge, from which the views over the Trent Valley and over towards the Peak District are uninterrupted. Where the path divides, we take the lane left that takes us into Melbourne along the lake. The detour into Penn Lane seems a little pointless but does offer a view of a rather impressive old school building before we use an alleyway to return to the bus stop in the centre of the village.

This is an excellent country walking Slow Way. It's direct with services on the way at Breedon and Belton. There is a mix of well walked and lesser used paths plus a section cycle route along a quiet lane. A few small issues, more details below.

The meeting place in Melbourne is perfect especially for some arriving by bus, there are lots of shops and a public loos just around the corner. The route passes the loo but I don't really see the benefit of this loop, better to head off directly along Church Street but not worth a rewrite.

The Pool is a magical spot. Having investigated some lost paths I do wonder how we (the walking public) got away with claiming this path, other landowners would have fought hard to keep it private. A climb from here offers good views back to Melbourne before crossing a track and entering what was a golf course, awaiting a new use or return to farmland?

The steep climb to Breedon church could be avoided along the quiet but narrow road, the effort is however worthwhile with excellent views over East Midlands Airport with the expanding sheds of 'DHL' and while it lasts Ratcliffe on Soar coal fired power station. I should add, there is a lot of green and pleasant countryside as well.

The equally steep descent to the village suggests worshipers take the easy option, hence the large church car park. The settlement should perhaps be named Breedon under the Hill where the Three Horseshoes and a Post Office / store offer services. The departing cross field path is well walked and again offers good view including the quarry face which stopped just in time to preserve the church.

We cross the Cloud Trail, a disused rail route then over the A42 by a safe bridge. Beyond here most other walkers have found an alternative route and we are left to follow the plot on invisible paths across large fields but clues are found along the way so don't despair.

A section of road walking might be busy at commuter times being a direct link to the A42. More large fields are crossed, passing tired Leicestershire yellow topped posts before reaching popular dog walking paths on the approach to Belton. Here the plot misses a trick and ignores the inn and convenience store in sight but just off route, it could go via the church and Market Place.

From here it's a cycle route which on my map looked to be an unmade lane but is now a good surface so it does attract some traffic. The main road into Shepshed is the weak link of this Slow Way, there is no verge to speak of and it's outside the village 30 mph limit but I can't see an off road alternative. Another short but pointless loop before a direct mix of path and and streets lead to the meeting place.

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