May has been designated as National Walking Month, so what better time to get out your boots and waterproofs and explore the town and countryside around you.
At the start of Lockdown 1 my partner and I started our 'Daily Walk' routine, trying to do a one hour walk each day, starting off from our house in the centre of Market Harborough - no driving allowed! Lockdowns 2 and 3 have also come and gone now, but we have tried to stick to this routine, though I must admit I'm a bit of a fair weather walker, and so tend to give it a miss if it actually raining.
So I thought I'd share with you two of my favourite walks - one based entirely in the town, and one going out into the countryside. Each one takes about an hour.
Town Walk
Start off at the circular bench around the tree on the corner of Goward St and Nelson St (LE16 9AF). Walk along Nelson St to Logan Street, then left into Logan St, down the hill to Coventry Rd
Cross over Coventry Road, and then go along Farndon Rd and into Welland Park
Through the park, (perhaps going along the River, or taking in the Rose Garden, or even stopping off at the Cafe@Welland Park), then out of the gates on to Welland Park Road
Cross over at the Pelican Crossing, and follow the jitty way through to Stuart Rd
Turn right, and then left onto Fairfax Road, and keep going over the mini-roundabout it crosses Western Avenue/Bath St, and on to where the road becomes Cromwell Crescent
At this point turn left into Green Lane, and then through to the footpath at the end. Turn right and follow the footpath through the trees, which brings you out onto Harborough Town Football Club grounds
Follow the footpath between the pitches until you get to the Harborough Leisure Centre, and then out onto the Northampton Road
By the bus layby, cross over Northampton Rd, and through a little gate into the housing estate opposite
Follow the footpath, cross over the road when you come to it, and then follow the footpath through a jitty way and onto the Brampton Valley Way
Turn left along Brampton Valley Way till you reach Scotland Road, then crossover and into Little Bowden Rec.
Follow the path behind some houses, and onto Britannia Walk, and then out onto Springfield St
Cross over Springfield St, and follow the footpath behind Waitrose, and then turn left along the footpath following the River Welland
Follow the footpath to Northampton Rd, cross over, and continue alongside the river to the footbridge leading into the Co-op car park.
Cross the bridge, walk through the car park, cross over Coventry Rd, and turn right into School Lane and then home for a well earned cuppa
Country Walk
Start off at the circular bench in Nelson St again, but turn up East St, and then left into the footpath that runs between the houses, and through to Logan St
Turn right into Logan St, then left into Highfield St and then right into Clarke St
Then left into Charles St, and then all the way to the end.
Turn right into Gardiner St and go up the hill until you see a footpath sign on the left.
Follow the jitty way through to Brookfield Way. Turn right onto Brookfield Way, and then left into The Pastures
Take the right hand branch of the cul de sac, and look out for a footpath sign
Follow the jitty way through between the houses, and you come out into the new housing estate on Lubenham Hill
Cross over Harvest Road and carry straight on up the footpath, to come out on the ridge of Lubenham Hill, where you get a great view over to Lubenham
Follow the footpath across the field and out onto Harborough Road. Turn left and go a little way along Coventry Road, until you see a footpath sign on the other side of the road
Cross over the road, and follow the footpath through the hedge and over a little style, and into the fields beyond.
Follow the footpath over the fields, until eventually coming out on Old Hall Lane in Lubenham.
Turn left and follow the road round the bend, and then look out for a footpath sign on your left
Go through the gate onto the footpath, and follow along it till you meet the River Welland
Pass through a gate, over a foot bridge over the River, then look at for the sign post on the left to the newly opened 'Adam's Mile' footpath. This follows the route of the old railway all the way back to Market Harborough, where you come out on Farndale View
Follow Farndale View onto Coventry Road, turn right, then left onto Brookfield Way
Walk along Brookfield Way to you come back to the jitty way on your right, then retrace your route in reverse back to Nelson St
Maybe reward yourself with a drink at The Admiral Nelson, or a Chines meal from the Hong Kong Takeaway
If you are planning to get out and about during May, then why not sign the Walk This Way Pledge?