Nunhin two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Hinckley to Nuneaton. A good route, pleasant and fairly direct apart from the unavoidable section around the Ashby canal. I agree with David that the section along the A4254 should make it clear that we walk on the south side, because the pavement on the north side goes missing in a place where crossing is awkward. The section immediately east of Attleborough is very wet and muddy, and is not really suitable for wheels (not that that deters local cyclists).

We follow pavements out of Hinckley as far as the Ashby canal. The route is a little indirect and convoluted but is probably quieter than going straight down Coventry Road. Nutts Lane only has a pavement on the west side, but the traffic lights at the canal bridge make it easy to cross there, and we head east along the Ashby canal around a big bend and under the A5, where there is a pub on the far side of the canal. Beyond the bridge there is a bench, beyond which we leave the towpath to walk down the quiet Hydes Lane. Beyond a gate we continue along a farm track, which leads us across wide open fields and across the infant river Anker.

Just beyond the river, the track turns left and we take the bridlepath right, which crosses a field and becomes a very muddy path between hedges. Although it is a bridleway, there are obstacles to cyclists in the form of heavy logs across the path. We follow the path around the edge of a housing estate to emerge on Crowhill Road, which we cross and head right along the pavement.

On reaching the A4254 (Eastboro Way), it is best to stay on the south side because the pavement on the north side soon disappears. The pavement briefly leaves the road to cross the West Coast Main Line railway on a separate footbridge. There is a pelican crossing at the Garret Street roundabout, which we use to turn right up Highfield Road. A somewhat questionable detour takes us through backstreets (perhaps to see the school building) before rejoining the B4114 on Attleborough Road for a straightforward walk into the Nuneaton meeting point - there are pelican crossings at the Vicarage Street roundabout.

Direct, safe, interesting and easy to follow. Pavement, track, towpath and lane. I really enjoyed this route. The walk across the open countryside of the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border was a joy. Wasn't sure if the diversion away from the B4666 was worth it, but from the brief taste I had of it, it probably was. My only complaint with the route, the section that prevents it from being 5 star was the section in Attleborough crossing the A4254. The plotting made no suggestion that I should cross the road and so I found the pavement ran out and I had to go back on myself (only briefly) to use the crossing. Also the plotting follows the road over the railway, rather than the pedestrian footbridge but it is obviously wrong and the footbridge is the clear option to take, so it wouldn't make the route a failure. Despite this it's overall an excellent Slow Way. There are links to transport at either end, along with stops and shops.

I walked this route back in January when I made a suggestion to change a section. The route starts in Nuneaton town centre and leads out of the town towards Attleborough, this section mainly follows a roads. Once at Raven Way the route follows a footpath, this was a little muddy, until it reach a farm track which passes through fields and a over a brook. Following this path eventually leads to Hydes Lane, a quite and straight farm road. Just before reaching the A5 the route diverts on the Ashby Canal, at this point the Lime Kilns pub is accessible by taking the steps up after passing beneath the A5. The route follows the canal for a short distance, after leaving the canal the route follows residential roads into Hinckley town centre where plenty facilities including shops, cafes, and pubs are avaliable.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.