A first 'proper' walk of 2023. The second part of the Market Harborough Round starting near to the village of Gumley. The weather is shocking though...
Just as we get parked up and set off the heavens start to open up. It is really windy too and the ground already saturated. There are already some early thoughts of cutting the walk short , and options available.
We are walking in a clockwise direction with Gumley Woods behind us. Thankfully after about 15 minutes the rain starts to ease off but it is still mightily fresh in the wind.
We soon find ourselves crossing over a very murky looking Grand Union Canal for the first time. We are heading in the direction of the impressively named Kibworth Beauchamp.
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The Footpath signs around Leicestershire are very well marked. The Green with a yellow top are very easy to spot from a distance.The paths in general are very well maintained too.
When you have two dodgy knees knees things don't get much more difficult than the double stile pictured left. The ground was a quagmire and uneven. The stile itself was rickety and wobbly. The rain had made the wood extremely slippy too. Just for a little extra jeopardy it was linked up either side to an electric fence. It was a struggle, but somehow it was negotiated safely and the journey towards Kibworth continued.
Much of the parish remains the property of Merton College Oxford. This dates back to 1270 when College founder Walter De Merton bought a large part of the parish of Kibworth Harcourt from Saer de Harcourt, who had been forced to sell the estate after giving his support to the unsuccessful 'Second Barons' War'. A Civil War in England between the forces of a number of barons led by Simon De Montfort against the royalist forces of King Henry II.
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We cross 'Smeeton Lane' in Kibworth. 2000 years of history in an English village the information board tells us.The name Beauchamp is derived from the 'De Beauchamp' family who held the Manor as Chief Pantelers (Banner Carrier, Dresser, Butler) to the monarch on their Coronation Day. Walter performed the duty during the reign of Henry III.
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The Manor House is the oldest house in Kibworth, dating from the 16th Century. Built in an 'H' shape possibly as a compliment to King Henry VII, or his son Henry VIII. Our path takes us through the Golf Course. A picturesque parkland setting, beautiful on a nice day I should imagine? Today is not that day though and it looks like as though the course is empty. A meandering stream crosses eight holes, it looks a bit challenging to me. The Crazy Golf in Gran Canaria was bad enough.... I carded an 18 on the last hole, it was tricky though.
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The footpath takes up a bit of an incline to the Moorings at Debdale Wharf. It's always enjoyable walking on the canal towpath.
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| Foxton Locks |
We arrive back at Foxton Locks, only this time on the other side of the water. No time to stop off for a drink as darkness isn't far away. We follow the path around the bend under the bridge. The next bridge takes us away from the canal and over fields. We are greeted by a group of five dogs of varying shapes and sizes. They seem to be roaming free having escorted off another couple of walkers going the opposite way. Bored with them they decide they are coming with us...They follow all the way up to a very muddy farmyard where they seem to reside. Shaking the pack of hounds off we continue past the edge of Gumley Wood back to our starting point. Despite the conditions it has been a decent walk. A bit shorter than usual but not a bad thing all considered. Total walk length was 7.5 miles.
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