The Villages of High Leicestershire Day Walk
20 people attending
5 places left
A relatively easy walk (great for ODL newbies!) through the countryside and villages of “High Leicestershire”, along sections of the Leicestershire Round, taking in the remains of an iron-age hill fort on Burrough Hill, with a pub lunch.
Starting off from the village of Twyford, the walk takes us first under the John O’Gaunt Viaduct, on the old Great Northern and London & North Western Joint Railway, with its impressive arches rising to a height of 18m (60ft). After a nosy around the viaduct, we head onto Owston and then Somerby, where we’ll stop for a pub lunch at the Stilton Cheese Inn. (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 chnages).
After lunch, we climb 210m (690ft) to the well-preserved early iron age hill fort on Burrough Hill, from where we’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Leicestershire countryside.
Leaving the hill fort, we head back to Twyford through the quaint village of Burrough-on-the-Hill, where we may stop for a cheeky local ale at Grant's Free House, time permitting.
Note: although a relatively easy walk, the shortness of the days in February combined with a pub lunch means we will need to maintain a decent pace!
Your First ODL Walk Event?
Attending your first event with OutdoorLads might feel daunting. What will happen, who will be there, and what can you expect?
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.
What to bring
It will be late winter, and, as ever, the weather will be unpredictable. Please ensure you have adequate layers to keep warm and waterproofs to keep you dry. Some of the paths are across open fields, which can be quite wet and muddy underfoot, so you'll need decent boots and preferably gaiters too.
Note that the list below is only a guide and you will need to consider the weather forecast 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.
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.
Hat and Gloves: a decent beanie hat and waterproof gloves are essential for walking at this time of the year.
Head torch: It's always a good idea to carry a headtorch on winter walks, if you have one.
Food & drink
We will be stopping half way along in the village of Somerby at The Stilton Cheese Inn to warm up and have some pub grub. For more information on the pub and its food go to www.stiltoncheeseinn.co.uk.
We will need to confirm lunch numbers the week before the walk. I will assume everyone will be eating at the pub unless you let me know separately by message. I'll contact everyone the week beforehand to confirm numbers.