The Lost Villages of Leicestershire Day Walk
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This 12½ mile walk from Tugby takes in the villages of Rolleston, Glooston, Cranoe and Hallaton, as well as the sites of the long-lost medieval villages of Noseley and Othorpe.
These "lost" villages were abandoned in the 15th and 16th centuries as a consequence of Enclosure, the process in England of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, which effectively ended the traditional rights to farm common land in an open field system. The process of enclusure created a large landless working class and led to a period of abject poverty and later revolt.
We will pass close by the 17th century Noseley Hall and also visit the medieval earthworks of Hallaton Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle dating from the late 11th or early 12th century
The plan is to stop for lunch at The Bewicke Arms in the idyllic village of Hallaton. (Note that we'll need to confirm numbers for lunch one full week before the event date, so please do cancel-off, if your availability changes).
The village is known for its Easter 'Bottle-Kicking' Festival (well, maybe just locally famous) and for the Hallaton Treasure, the largest ever hoard of British Iron Age coins. Across the road from the pub is a conical stone buttercross, where villagers in medieval times would meet to sell fresh produce. It is also where the winner of the bottle-kicking festival sits aloft, victorious.
After lunch, we'll make our way across Moor Hill Spinney and Hallaton Spinney back to Tugby.
Note: although a relatively easy walk, the length of the walk, combined with the time required for a pub lunch means we will need to maintain a decent pace!
Your First ODL Walk Event?
We know that new members in particular like to know in advance more about what an OutdoorLads event will be like. If this is your first ODL event, you should check out the information designed specifically for you on the My First Event page on the ODL website.
Feel free to contact Skip with any questions you may have.
Image credits: Main Image: Buttercross, Hallaton ©Colin Smith; Image 2: Motte and Bailey, Castle Hill, Hallaton ©Tim Heaton; Image 4: Motte and Bailey West of Hallaton ©Chris; Image 5: Market Cross, Hallaton ©Graham Horn (All licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons).
What to bring
It will be spring, but, as ever, the weather will be unpredictable. Please ensure you have adequate layers to keep warm and waterproofs to keep you dry in case of rain. Some of the paths are across open fields, which can be quite muddy underfoot, especially after rain, so you'll want decent boots and preferably gaiters too.
Note that the kit list below is only a broad general guide and you will need to consider the weather forecast and specific conditions when deciding what to wear closer to the time.
Please contact Skip if you're unsure about any of the items in the kit list.
Boots: Hiking boots are the most essential piece of kit when hiking just about anywhere. You should make sure that your boots are both waterproof and breathable, and provide good ankle support.
Socks: Good walking socks are essential to keep the feet warm and dry, and to prevent the development of blisters. Sports socks and other socks not designed for walking may become waterlogged, or damaged, which will in turn blister your feet.
Gaiters: Gaiters attach to the bottom of walking boots and extend to just under the knee. They provide waterproofing for the bottom half of the leg, and are essential in keeping feet dry.
Walking Trousers: Walking trousers should be windproof and made of a rip stop material that will stand up to walking through ferns and undergrowth. Ideally, they should also be water resistant, or at least not gain weight, and lose their insulation properties when wet. Jeans should be avoided, as they are heavy when wet and provide no protection from the elements.
Waterproof Trousers: Waterproof trousers are essential in keeping the legs dry, as water resistant trousers will not keep out any significant rainfall. You should look for waterproof trousers that are breathable to avoid sweating too much.
Base Layer: A breathable base layer should let sweat escape from the body. This should ideally consist of a breathable synthetic / tech fabric, although a cotton t-shirt would suffice.
Mid Layer: A mid-layer goes on top of the base layer and ideally should be made from a 100 weight micro fleece, or a rugby jersey style thick shirt. The layering system is important as it allows walkers quickly to adapt to changes in the weather, as well as body temperature.
Outer Layer: The outer layer should consist of a windproof jacket or a thick fleece. This is the final layer and you should ensure that this layer provides ample warmth. Depending on the time of year (and conditions) this outer layer could be a waterproof jacket.
Waterproof Jacket: A good waterproof jacket is one of the most important pieces of kit you will need when hiking. You should look for a jacket that is both waterproof and breathable - although not cheap, a good quality Gore-tex jacket is a sensible investment.
Head torch: It's always a good idea to carry a headtorch, if you have one.
Food & drink
The plan is to stop for lunch at The Bewicke Arms in Hallaton, but you are welcome to bring a packed lunch and sit in the market square.
Note: we'll need to confirm numbers for lunch one full week before the event date, so please do cancel-off if your availability changes. I will be in touch closer to the time to confirm numbers. However, if you plan to walk but not have lunch in the pub, please let Skip know in advance.
You should also bring plenty of water and some snacks for the walk.