PLAP 5 High Leicestershire Drive (17 miles) Print

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 1
Starting from the New Inn Lane layby near Rolleston Park Lodge, turn right (northwards) to the Lodge gates and follow the minor road through the park to Rolleston Hall, and then on to keffington. It is essential to shut all the gates along the way due to livestock.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 2
Turn left at Skellington near the bench.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 3
Follow the road or pathway and cross the A47 carefully. You\'ll need to ‘put your groom down’ as there are gates on both sides of the road.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 4
The track known as Skeffington Glebe Road will lead you to a farm yard after approximately one mile, the route follows the track away from this yard which is private property.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 5
Continue across Eye Brook and down the hill until you are nearly in the village of Tilton on the Hill (the road takes you sharply left for a short way, and then continues for a short distance before reaching the Rose and Crown pub in Tilton on the Hill). This is one of the highest places in East Leicestershire. Nearly opposite the pub is a church on a staggered junction which you cross straight over.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 6
After approximately half a mile, you have three options. Option A. Continue straight ahead and down through two fords before reaching a minor hard-surfaced road, at which you turn right to reach the sign post for Halstead, Marefield, Newbold and Owston.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 7
Option B. Follow the track round to the right. You pass Red Lodge Farm on your right, then cross a ford, and continue up the side of a field to a gateway leading onto a hard road. (The same signpost shown in Option A will be a slight distance down the road on your left.) Both ways involve soft ground, but the alternative route shortens the distance to be driven/ridden whilst increasing the amount of off road driving/riding available. At the sign post a further option exists which is also suitable for anyone wanting a separate circular, short distance drive on a tarmac surface.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 8
Option C. By following the Newbold/Owston direction your drive/ride is extended by approximately two miles to include the picturesque village of Owston where mounds and depressions in the fields to the north and west of the church indicate the site of an Augustinian Abbey which was demolished in the second half of the eighteenth century. On reaching Owston turn right near Oundle Farm which leads back to the above sign post. The road marked Halstead now gradually leads back to the starting point of the Drive/Ride following the Halstead/Withcote road past Whatborough Hill.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 9
On reaching the next T-junction, turn left away from Halstead, and after a short distance turn right.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 10
Take the next right turn and continue along a minor road running around the base of Robin-a-Tiptoe hill. (Folk law suggests that this was so named because an outlaw who was hanged there was so tall that his toes touched the ground)

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 11
Once again at the next junction turn right towards Tilton Grange, and next left by Tilton Woods. There is a steep slope here which needs to be noted, especially if you are driving a carriage without brakes or a two wheeled vehicle.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 12
Continue along this minor road (Skeffington Wood Road) until you once again cross the A47 main road taking you into Skillington village.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 13
Continue to follow the road - bearing right round to Skillington Church, and the left to reach the thatched seat and circular bench shown in the picture.

PLAP5 High Leicestershire Drive Waypoint 14
Turn left and retrace your steps for approximately 2.5 miles - past Rolleston Hall, through the Park, and back to the Lodge where you started.