Walks
Somerby Festival of Walking 2025 is offering a number of walks of various distances between Friday 16th May and Sunday 18th May. These are guided, free-to-join walks for anyone who would enjoy some fresh air and a good walk with like-minded people. Details of the dates, times and routes are set out below.
We have tried to be clear about the distance of each walk, the time it might take, the stiles and obstacles that may be encountered along the way. But in the end it is for you to be sure that you only sign up for walks that you are comfortable you can do; the guides have volunteered to lead walks, but they are not responsible for checking that you are fit enough, appropriately dressed or otherwise capable of completing these walks. Please read and be aware of our Terms and Conditions before booking to join any walk.
Walks can be booked by visiting the 'Book' page and following the instructions there. Online booking will close at the end of the day before the walk departs.
All these walks are on public access footpaths, bridleways and lanes, so if you fancy having a go at any of them on your own then download the map and head out to enjoy the countryside.
Follow the Somerby Festival of Walking Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2097462610441179
Walk No 1
Friday 16th May 2025
Burrough Court Circuit
5 miles
Approx 3.5 hours (including coffee stop)
The traditional start to the Festival of Walking! A walk on footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough Court coffee shop where we will stop for tea/coffee (and cake!) before returning to Somerby on tracks and quiet lanes. There is just one stile on the route. which is the back way into Burrough Court. There is no dog gate on the stile, but the fence rails are far enough apart that most dogs can get through. The stile can be avoided by walking around to the front entrance of Burrough Court if necessary.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at the coffee shop. Payment at the coffee shop is by card only.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 2
Friday 16th May 2025
Classic Burrough Hill Circuit
5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
A walk following Leicestershire Round footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough Hill Fort. There are no stiles on this route but it can be muddy particularly through Dalby Hills Woods. There is a short sharp stride up to the hillfort for wonderful panoramic views. Bridleway and footpaths will lead us back to Somerby via the village of Burrough on the Hill.
Departs 2.30pm from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 3
Saturday 17th May 2025
Newbold/ Owston Lodge Farm Circuit
5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
A walk on footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads), bridlepaths and quiet lanes from Somerby toward Burrough on the Hill, briefly turning towards Marefield before heading back to Newbold via Owston Lodge Farm and on to Somerby. There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 4
Saturday 17th May 2025
Lowesby Hall Circuit
14 miles
Approx 6 hours walking
We start our walk on Leicestershire Round paths to Burrough Hillfort for panoramic views before continuing on to Twyford and Lowesby Park. Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas. We will stop for a picnic lunch at Lowesby before continuing on to Tilton. Depending on time there may be an opportunity to stop at the pub in Tilton before continuing on footpaths through to Owston and Leicestershire Round paths back to Somerby.
There are some stiles on this route and not all have dog gates. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary.
Departs 11am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 5
Saturday 17th May 2025
Owston/ Hyde Lodge Lane/ Newbold Circuit
6 miles
Approx 3 hours walking
We start our walk on Leicestershire Round paths to Owston, then footpaths past Owston Lodge and on to Hyde Lodge lane. Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas. We will return toward Newbold and Somerby on tracks and quiet lanes.
There are some stiles on this route between Owston and Hyde Lodge Road and not all have dog gates. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary.
Departs 2.30pm from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 6
Saturday 17th May 2025
Burrough Village Circuit
3 miles
Approx 1.5 hours walking
A short but lovely walk on footpaths between Somerby and Burrough on the Hill village with far reaching views. Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas.
There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 3pm from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 7
Sunday 18th May 2025
Tenth Battalion Trail
15 miles
Approx 6 hours walking
In 1943-44 the 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment as billeted in and around Somerby prior to deployment during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. The Friends of the Tenth have devised the Tenth Battalion Trail which takes in places related to the time the Tenth stayed in our area (marked with maroon plaques). A walking circuit taking on Somerby, Owston, Burrough on the Hill, Thorpe Satchville and well as Burrough Hill Fort and, of course, the 10th Battalion Memorial near Burrough Court.
The walk will be led by a representative of Friends of the Tenth who will share the story of the Tenth Battalion's time in our area and their fate at the Battle of Arnhem.
The walk crosses some livestock fields and all dogs MUST be on leads in these areas. There are some stiles on this route and they do not all have dog gates. You must be able to lift your dog over stiles if necessary.
Departs 11am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 8
Sunday 18th May 2025
Cold Overton Circuit
5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
We start our walk through the village of Somerby and then onto a footpath heading over to Cold Overton where we will head out of the village on Whissendine Lane before joining a bridlepath and footpath to Pickwell and then back to Somerby. The footpath between Somerby and Cold Overton goes through a number of sheep fields and all dogs MUST be on leads in these areas.
There are stiles on this route between Somerby and Cold Overton, most of which have dog gates, but one does not. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary.
Departs 11.30am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
Walk No 9
Sunday 18th May 2025
Dairy Barn Circuit
11.5 miles
Approx 5.5 hours (including a stop at the Dairy Barn)
We start our walk on footpaths towards Pickwell and Leesthorpe, skimming past each village as we head past Whissendine Lodge and Jerico Lodge to the Dairy Barn cafe at Lower Leesthorpe. We will stop here for coffee and ice cream for those inclined, before we continue towards Burton Lazars before turning for home, first towards Little Dalby on the Jubilee Way path and then picking up the Leicestershire Round back to Somerby.
Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas.
There are some stiles on this route and not all have dog gates. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary.
Departs 12 noon from Somerby Memorial Hall
Book Here
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