The official start is at Burrough Hill and follows a meandering course, passing through Melton Mowbray. We across pasture and woodland and past old ironstone workings near Eaton before the the eventual finishing point at Belvoir castle from where there are said to be fine views over the Vale of Belvoir.
Altogether the Jubilee Way is about 24 kilometres long.
Burrough Hill is an Iron Age hillfort about 210 metres (690 ft) above sea level. It provides stunning views over the surrounding countryside , particularly on a clear day like today. local The area is the reputed birthplace of Stilton cheese , not that I shall be indulging that is for sure.
Historically the area was pasture and infamous for foxhunting unfortunately! Today much land is arable, but dairy, beef and sheep also feature. Our wanderings took us to the village of Burton Lazars, It is the site of the remains of the English headquarters of the military hospital 'The order of St Lazarus'.
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| Church of St James Burton Lazars |
Originally an Anglo Saxon village called 'Burtone' at the time of William the Conqueror and the Domesday book in 1086. The name was changed during the crusades of the 12th century when it opened a Leper Hospital and became 'Burton St Lazarus'. The village has a natural sulphorous spring which was probably a major reason for the location of the hospital. Sadly we couldn't even find a tap to quench our thirst and there was no pub or shop as the temperature soared. The name quickly became abbreviated to ' Burton Lazars'.
There was hardly a soul to be seen as we made our way full circle back to the starting point at Burrough Hill. A good thing really as my new boots were starting tell me enough was enough after just short of 9 miles. Some of the views on this stretch of the walk were absolutely stunning and given me an appetite to complete the remaining legs at some stage.
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