Medbourne Parish Walks

7kms (4.5 miles), allow 1.5 hours, undulating through fields and along quiet country lanes n Sports Pavilion, Hallaton Rd

Cross the playing fields towards the church and cross the Packhorse Bridge. Take the left- hand path past the Post Office and at the Main St, turn left. Follow the road over the disused railway until you reach a track on the left.
A. Follow the track for 1.5km
B. Turn right along a bridleway to reach Uppingham Road. Cross it and continue up hill to reach the road at Nevill Holt
The village of Nevill Holt was deserted in the late 15th or early 16th century. The splendid medieval manor house was built in several stages, starting in about 1400. The Cunard family, of shipping fame between 1876 and 1912 owned it. From 1919 to the mid 1990’s it was a preparatory school and more recently has been restored to a private residence.
C. l Turn right along the road, and at the T-junction turn right down a tree-lined avenue.
Pass the impressive Tudor style “Buffalo Lodge” with its listed wall, gates and gate piers. A stone tablet above the bay window of the lodge is inscribed, “B.C 1880”, for Sir Bache Cunard.
D. As the road begins to drop downhill, take the footpath left at the end of the trees. Pass to the right of the house and follow the path to the road, and cross to the footpath immediately opposite. The path takes you over the disused railway line and into Medbourne. Hallaton Road, next to the church, leads you to the medieval packhorse bridge, from here a path through the playing field will take you back to the pavilion.

14.5kms (10 miles), allow 5 hours, undulating through open countryside and quiet country lanes. Parking at Sports Pavilion, Hallaton Rd

From the pavillion cross the playing field towards the church. Before the packhorse bridge cross the road and take the path adjacent to the brook until it meets Ashley Road. Turn right along the road and bear left at the road junction, just outside the village.
1. After 175m take the bridleway on the right. Continue across four fields until you reach a narrow lane.
2. Turn right, go under the dismantled railway and turn left at the top of the hill towards Slawston.
Slawston is a small village that once held an important position on the manorial estate of the Brudenells. With its pubs and village shop now closed the village is quiet. The ironstone and limestone church dates from the late 13th century, it was thoroughly restored in 1864.
3. Turn left in the village and after 100m take the footpath which leaves the main street by the post box. This path will take you across the fields to Hallaton. The well waymarked route passes close to Hallaton Manor House. This Tudor styled house was built in 1846 and enlarged in 1879, it now serves as a rest home.
4. Upon entering Hallaton turn right along the road, past the Bewicke Arms and teashop. Take the first road on your right (where the road heads to the left).
The annual event of “Bottle-kicking” draws  many visitors to the villages of Hallaton and Medbourne. The competition between the villages dates back at least 500 years. It takes place on Easter Monday and is a game without rules!
Turn right along a footpath just past Southfields House and at the end of a short section of path, turn right along the road. Cross it and follow the path between houses to emerge into open fields. Follow the waymarked route over a brook, across two fields and over the disused railway line to rejoin the road
5. Turn right and at the road junction then left towards Blaston. Upon entering the village a track leads right from the crown of the second bend, past St. Giles’ Church. After 500m turn left along a bridleway. From this point follow the route directions from Walk 1 Point B.