Walks
The guided walks we are offering this year during the Somerby Festival of Walking 17th to 19th May 2024 are set out below.
We have tried to be clear about the length 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. We do not guarantee that you will be able to join a walk without prior booking as it will depend on space being available. 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
Friday 17th May 2024
Walk 1
Somerby - Burrough Court Circuit
5 miles
Approximately 3.5 hours
Total Ascent 429ft
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 at the stile but most dogs are able to get through the fence. The stile can be avoided by walking around to the front entrance of Burrough Court if necessary.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at Burrough Court Coffee Shop. Payment at the Coffee Shop is by card only.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Friday 17th May 2024
Walk 2
Somerby - Knossington Circuit
6.5 miles
Approximately 3 hours
Total Ascent 474 ft
A walk on footpaths and quiet lanes from Somerby to Cold Overton where we skim past Gates Garden Centre and take a footpath to Knossington. At Knossington we will either stop for coffee at the Fox & Hounds pub or take a picnic coffee break at the playing field (majority decision) before joining a footpath passing beside some picturesque ponds and joining the Bruces Lane track to return to Somerby. Footpaths go through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) and can be muddy. There are quite a few stiles on the route between Cold Overton and Bruces Lane, most of which do not have dog gates - if you bring your dog on this route you must be able to lift it over a stile if necessary.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall at 1.30pm
Friday 17th May 2024
Walk 3
Somerby - Owston Circuit
5 miles
Approximately 2.5 hours
Total Ascent 378 ft
A walk following the Leicestershire Round footpath through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Owston and then bridlepaths and quiet lanes back to Somerby. The walk passes the pretty church at Owston. There are no stiles on the route but it can be muddy.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 3pm
Saturday 18th May 2024
Walk 4
Somerby - Thorpe Satchville Circuit
7 miles
Approximately 3 hours
Total Ascent 743 ft
A walk taking picturesque footpaths from Somerby to Burrough on the Hill and Thorpe Satchville where there will be a break at the picnic benches at the playing field, before returning using a lovely undulating footpath back to Burrough village and Somerby. The route does pass through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads). There are some stiles on this route, not all of which have dog gates so if you bring your dog on this route you will need to be able to lift it over stiles.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 10am
Saturday 18th May 2024
Walk 5
The Tenth Battalion Trail
15 miles
Approximately 6-7 hours
In 1943-44 the 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was billeted in and around Somerby prior to deployment during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. To this day Somerby hosts a parade in September of each year in commemoration of those brave soldiers and this year is the 80th anniversary.
The Friends of the Tenth have devised the Tenth Battalion Trail, which takes in places related to the 10th Battalion (designated by maroon colour plaques). A walking circuit taking in Somerby, Owston, Burrough on the Hill, and Thorpe Satchville as well as Burrough Hill Fort and the 10th Battalion Memorial. If you would like more detail the Guidebook for the Trail can be purchased at https://friendsofthetenth.co.uk/product/the-tenth-battalion-trail-guidebook/ and will be available for purchase at Somerby Memorial Hall during the Festival of Walking.
This walk will be led by a representative of Friends of the Tenth.
This route crosses some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads). There are several stiles on the route - if you bring your dog you must be able to lift it over a stile if necessary.
At the discursion of the walk leader and depending on timing it may be possible to stop at the Burrough Court Coffee Shop during the walk. The coffee shop is dog friendly. Payment is by card only.
Departs 11am Somerby Memorial Hall
Saturday 18th May 2024
Walk 6
Somerby - Viaduct - Burrough Circuit
7.5 miles
Approximately 4 hours
Total Ascent 604 ft
A walk on quiet lanes, tracks and footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby towards John O Gaunt viaduct which we will pass under, before heading to Twyford, Burrough on the Hill and back to Somerby on footpaths and bridleways. There will be a stop for a picnic lunch during the walk.
There are a number of stiles on this route between White House Farm and Burrough on the Hill and not all of them have dog gates. If you bring your dog on this route you will need to be able to lift it over stiles if necessary.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 11.30am
Saturday 18th May 2024
Walk 7
Somerby - Burrough on the Hill Circuit
3 miles
Approximately 2 hours
A short walk on lovely footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs must be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough on the Hill village. There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 3pm
Sunday 19th May 2024
Walk 8
Somerby - Launde Abbey Circuit
14 miles
Approximately 6 hours
Total Ascent 1305 ft
A walk following the Leicestershire Round footpath from Somerby to Launde Abbey, where we will stop at the Dairy Tea Room for refreshments before continuing on footpaths and quiet lanes to Knossington and back to Somerby on footpaths, tracks and lanes. As well as the stop at Launde Abbey there will be a further picnic stop during the walk. There are several stiles on the route and although some have dog gates some do not - if you bring your dog on this route you must be able to lift it over a stile if necessary. You will not be able to visit the Tea Room at Launde Abbey if you have a dog, but there is lovely countryside just outside the Abbey for a picnic. This route can be muddy, especially through Owston Woods.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 10am
Sunday 19th May 2024
Walk 9
Somerby - Pickwell Circuit
3 miles
Approximately 1.5 hours
A short walk on footpaths, bridleways and pavements from Somerby to Pickwell. There are several stiles on the route and although some have dog gates some do not - if you bring your dog on this route you must be able to lift it over a stile if necessary.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 11.30am
Sunday 19th May 2024
Walk 10
Somerby - Burrough Hill Fort Circuit
5 miles
Approximately 2.5 hours
Total Ascent 587ft
A walk following the Leicestershire Round footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough Hill Fort. There are no stiles on the route but it can be muddy, particularly through the Dalby Hills Woods. There is a short sharp climb up to the hill fort for wonderful panoramic views. Bridleways and footpaths will lead us back to Somerby via Burrough on the Hill.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 2.30pm
Sunday 19th May 2024
Walk 11
Somerby History Amble
Approx 1-2 miles
Approximately 1.5 hours
A gentle amble around Somerby looking at the history of the village from medieval times forward. Some of the walk may be on local footpaths as well as pavements.
Departs Somerby Memorial Hall 3.30pm
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