Here we leave the Leicestershire Round, and cross Main Street to take the footpath that starts across a playing field. We soon leave the main road, then take a lovely path through pastures and a small wilder area with gorse bushes, where we climb fairly steeply then follow field edges to the quiet Newbold Lane, which we follow into Somerby, turning right onto High Street, which has a good pavement on the north side. We then cross right through a small wood and up the hill to the Main Street of Cold Overton (no facilities here). The next field path can be a little confusing, as the line down to the left around a small fenced off area is not well marked, but you should find the exit easily enough if you trust the right of way line. We cross the road, go left a few steps and follow a little path to a large pasture, where the slope makes it easy to drift too far right, so keep an eye on the navigation....

Hugh Hudson

I have flagged it as don't know and submit a more tightly plotted alternative as ASHOAK 2, as there are a few places where the line could be clearer and a few more where the waymarks are not quite on the definitive line. I will post a more detailed review on ASHOAK 2....

Hugh Hudson

Most of this route also forms part of the SYSMEL 1 route from Syston to Melton Mowbray, so I was able to combine them by doubling back just over a mile from Ashby Folville to the path junction east of Gaddesby church. Beyond the church we leave SYSMEL 1 over a high stile to head across a field, and follow the Leicestershire Round route into Ashby Folville. This path has several stiles, an overgrown section through a wood, some sections that were obviously dried up mud and a short flight of steps, but the meeting point opposite the Carington Arms pub in Ashby Folville is reached easily enough....

Hugh Hudson

We cross another path then turn right to reach a lane, where we go right a short distance then take the field path sharp left that takes us out to Pasture Lane. Here we go left a few yards and take the lane right towards Grange Farm, leaving it to cross the field towards the right of the buildings. More field paths take us to the edge of Ashby Folville, where we turn right onto the Leicestershire Round, then left down Highfield End to reach the Ashby Folville meeting point opposite the Carington Arms (sic) pub....

Hugh Hudson

A little lower down we head right into the fields on the path that leads up to South Croxton Road, then find the enclosed path past the burial ground to join Barsby Road, which we follow most of the way through South Croxton. When we emerge we pass the enclosed parts of Waterloo Lodge Farm to the left, then continue across fields and past Hungarton Park (note that the waymarked path does NOT go through the garden!) and across the farm lane to emerge on Baggrave Road. I missed the point where the bridleway cuts diagonally across the field, but fortunately the increasing wetness of the lane ahead forced me to consult the map and was soon back on the right track, which leads past Redvers Farm to Uppingham Road, where we turn left and follow the pavement into Houghton, where the meeting point is at the Rose and Crown bus stop, which has a shelter....

Hugh Hudson

Most of this route is good, but the path south from Redbrook Crescent is blocked by housing development work, so I had to find an alternative, which I have submitted as ASHBMEL 2 after tidying it a little. The photos are taken from both sides of the obstruction. For a more detailed review see ASHBMEL 2....

Hugh Hudson