The Midshires Way is a long-distance multi-user route across Middle England. The route is particularly designed for horse riders and will also suit mountain bike riders. The route was opened in 1994 as a collaboration between numerous local authorities and user groups.

It is approximately 225 miles long. It links two National Trails, the Ridgeway and the Pennine Bridleway, and connects with the Trans-Pennine Trail, thus opening up the possibilities of a long ride or walk along the length of England.

For the most part, the Midshires Way follows public bridleways or quiet country lanes. In other counties where there are sections on roads, alternative footpath routes have been waymarked for walkers. However, there no waymarked alternative footpath sections in Leicestershire. The main Leicestershire section is about 30 miles long.

Ordnance Survey maps
The Midshires Way is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer 1:25,000 scale maps. These are the most up-to-date source of information covering the route. The following Explorer maps show the complete route in Leicestershire 233 (Leicester & Hinckley), 246 (Loughborough), 245 (The National Forest), 260 (Nottingham).

The complete Midshires Way pack
containing 9 leaflets covering all the whole route across 5 counties from Buckinghamshire through to Stockport.

Walking the Midshires Way: a long-distance walk through Middle England
by Ron Haydock & Bill Allen
Published by Sigma Leisure, 2003 ISBN: 1850587781  160 pages
Published price: £6.95

The Leicestershire Section leaflet (FREE)
This leaflet covers the main Leicestershire section from Sutton Bassett in Northamptonshire, to the Nottinghamshire border north of Old Dalby. The text and maps are the same as on the web pages listed below. There is a further 4½ mile section in the North West corner of Leicestershire, between Kegworth and Derwentmouth. The route up to Sawley Marina is included on the leaflet produced by Nottinghamshire County Council and from Sawley on a leaflet by Derbyshire County Council.

The route is signposted throughout with the Midshires Way symbol, either on separate panels or on waymark arrows (see the example left) and named on bridleway signs where the route leaves public roads.

The printed guide to the Leicestershire section has been split into seven sections.  Each can be viewed on the following pages:

Section 1 - Northants boundary to Cranoe (4 miles)
Section 2 - Cranoe to Tugby (4.5 miles)
Section 3 - Tugby to Tilton on the Hill (4 miles)
Section 4 - Tilton on the Hill to Ashby Folville (7.5 miles)
Section 5 - Ashby Folvill to Brooksby (4 miles)
Section 6 - Brooksby to Shoby (3 miles)
Section 7 - Shoby to Nottinghamshire boundary (4 miles)

The maps are copyright of Leicestershire County Council.  They are drawn from aerial photographs.

Long Horse Bridge, Nr Shardlow (Grid Reference SK 459 307).
There is currently no bridge at the point where the route of the Midshires Way crosses the River Trent on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border. The former Long Horse Bridge crossed the Trent at Derwentmouth where the River Derwent and Trent and Mersey canal join the river. The bridge was deemed unsafe and removed by British Waterways some years ago. Plans for a replacement have been progressing slowly. It now looks likely that a new bridleway bridge will be constructed in the summer of 2010.

For walkers the diversion (described going northwards) is to continue west following a public footpath which parallels the River Trent up to the B5010 London Road. Walkers then turn right along the road, crossing the river over the Cavendish Bridge and into Shardlow. In the village take the right turn into Wilne Lane which rejoins the Midshires Way route at the bridge over the Trent and Mersey canal.

For horse riders and cyclists the diversion (described going northwards) starts after Sawley Bridge Marina. Continue north along the B6540 Tamworth Road, instead of turning left onto the towpath of the Trent and Mersey canal at Sawley cut. Having entered Sawley, turn left into Wilne Road. Beyond the edge of the built-up area the road crosses over the M1 then, opposite the water treatment works on the right, take a left turn into Wilne Lane. After 625 metres there a right turn to rejoin the Midshires Way route.

If you have any comments or information to add please email footpaths@leics.gov.uk