Keyham Parish Walks

Walk down Snow’s Lane, notice the Dog and Gun public house to the left. When the lane turns sharply to the left, cross the stile ahead and go down the field to a footbridge, ignoring the footpath to the right.
A. After the footbridge, walk uphill with the hedge on the right to reach a stile in the hedge. Go over the stile and the footbridge and continue climbing with the hedge now on your left. The path becomes a wide grass track and soon reaches Covert Lane where you should turn right.
B. After about 50 metre take the bridleway on the left (not the footpath that leads to Bushby, and links with Walk Two of the Thurnby and Bushby Parish Walk). The bridleway takes you through a spinney before going diagonally right across a field. Follow the path through the trees to reach an open fi eld and walk down the right hand side.
C. On reaching the end of the spinney turn right to see Leicester ahead, lying in a slight hollow. Go into the next fi eld with the hedge on your left. After 160m turn left and cross back into the original field, following the line of a footpath, to reach the dismantled railway line.
The Great Northern Railway line was opened in 1882. It ran from a station in Belgrave, connecting Leicester to the eastern parts of England. It was very popular with Leicester holidaymakers travelling to Skegness and Maplethorpe, but ceased to operate in 1962.
D. After crossing the railway cutting walk across the field towards the buildings of New Ingarsby Farm. Cross a stile and with the hedge on the left, walk to the line of poplars following the waymark signs through gates and over stiles to pass in-front of the farm and eventually reach the A47.
E. Turn left towards Houghton-on-the-Hill. After about 200 metres take the bridleway on the left to pass Redver’s Farm. After the third gate, cross the large field beyond, walking to the first telegraph post and then turn right to meet a byway.
F. Follow this rough track past the earth works of Monk’s Grave on the left to a gate on the Houghton to Ingarsby lane. Turn left to follow the road.
A short detour along the bridleway to the right will take you into the site of the deserted medieval village of Ingarsby with a plaque at the top with more information. The early parts of Old Ingarsby Hall were probably built in the late 15th or early 16th century. After passing Old Ingarsby Hall and going under the old railway, take the footpath immediately on your left. After a 100m turn left at the waymark post to cross the footbridge and then walk with the stream on your right. When nearing the end of this field, cross back to the original bank.
G. Turn left and follow the waymarks over several stiles towards Keyham. On reaching stables on the left follow the signs diagonally uphill to the right through fences to a stile in the hedge at the top of the field
H. Aim for the middle telegraph pole to your left, to fi nd a waymark post and stile. Follow the path behind the houses and out onto the road. Turn right to return to the start point.

Follow the directions for Walk 1 until you reach Covert Lane at Point B. Turn left and follow the tarmac lane that eventually becomes a rough track.
1. Pass the footpath on the right, then just before the gate across the track, take the bridleway on the left.
2. In the second fi eld aim for the far left corner, walk with the hedge on the left to another gate. Keeping the hedge on the left, continue through the next two fi elds, crossing the dismantled railway line on the way.
3. Beyond the railway bridge follow the path with the hedge on your left. Then turn left at the gravel track.
4. When the track turns to the left take a sharp right turn towards Keyham. This path leads through Keyham Kennels and Catery before emerging out onto Snow’s Lane. Follow the lane back to the start point.