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Dadlington and the Ashby Canal Walk

A 4.8km circular walk featuring the Ashby Canal at Dadlington.

Walk

Branch
IWA Lichfield Branch
Location

Dadlington

Distance

4.8km (3miles)

Ease

Moderate

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Dadlington is a picturesque Leicestershire village, which has close connections with Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth. It is the only recorded burial site for the slain from the battle and the church itself is well worth a visit if it is open.

 

 

Walk Details

Parking

There is plenty of free parking alongside the village green in Dadlington, or you can make use of the car park of the Dog and Hedgehog pub.

Dadlington and the Ashby Canal Walk Map

Find directions to the Activity

Begin The Route

1. Dadlington church

Commence your walk with The Dog and Hedgehog pub to your left and Dadlington church to your right head slightly downhill to a road junction to pick up a footpath on the opposite side of the road.

Over stile 1. You are now in a disused quarry. Note the metal beacon on the far side of the quarry, which is used to commemorate historical events.

Follow the distinct path down into the quarry and up the other side to stile 2.

Then turn right and follow the fence on the right to stile 3. Continue ahead to go down towards the canal.

2. Cross bridge 31

Cross bridge 31 – note the metal girders and the rails. Go down the steps and proceed left along the towpath passing under the bridge. Beware: this stretch between bridges 31 and 32 is heavily walked and can become very muddy! After walking ½ mile leave the towpath by a green waymarker at bridge 33. Go through two metal gates, cross over the bridge to access a further metal gate. You are now on the Leicestershire Round, a long-distance path that skirts the county boundary.

3. Cross the field

Cross the field to a further two gates between a footbridge which takes you over a field drainage ditch. Now look for a yellow footpath marker in the hedge diagonally on your right; alternatively turn right here and go around the edge of the field until you find it. Cross over the ditch and turn sharp left following the hedge boundary, until you reach a road, where you will see a further yellow post by a low brick bridge.

4. Stapleton Lane

Cross Stapleton Lane and continue to follow the Leicestershire Round, which shares the route with The Ambion Way at this point. The unnamed meandering brook to your left marks the county boundary.

5. Leicestershire Round

After around ¼ of a mile you will be able to cross this brook on a footbridge. There are two arrows on the footpath marker on the opposite bank. Ignore the footpath to the left and instead continue to follow the Leicestershire Round by following the arrow pointing to the right. Watch your footing in this field, there are often hidden ruts, where cattle have been grazing.

6. St. Martins Convent School

At the footpath marker in the middle of the field veer left, go over stile 4 and proceed slightly uphill to the field edge. Instead of going through the gate ahead of you turn immediately right and follow the hedge to the corner of the field which brings you onto a broad farm track. Follow this track with its avenue of oak trees, passing some allotments on your left and a farm on your right, until you come to a road. St. Martins Convent school can be seen off to your left.

7. Hinckley Road

Once you’ve reached St. Martins Covent School, cross the road carefully to the pavement on the opposite side.

Now turn right and follow Hinckley Road for half a mile back to your starting point in Dadlington.

There are fine views north-eastwards once you have passed the housing on the right.

See if you can spot this unusual tree house close to the end of your walk.

With Thanks to Clive Walker and The Ashby Canal Association for the walk description and photographs.

Explore Nearby

Branch

IWA Lichfield Branch

A moored boat on the Ashby Canal

Waterway

Ashby Canal

Part Navigable; Part Restoration

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