Gumley to Foxton Locks

Monday 27th June

With Norma and Maureen. 

We arrived in Gumley via the road from Debdale Wharf, coming into the village past the church, and parked on the Main Street facing downhill. 

We took a bridleway to our right (just after the Leicestershire Round leaves the road on the left) , through a wooded passageway.

After this we left the bridleway, taking a footpath to the left leading downhill through several fields with horses.

After a footbridge

we turned left along a bridleway but missed the point where it crossed the stream, and ended up on the drive to Gumley Lodge.

We picked up the footpath again, following it up the shoulder of a hill, through plenty of wet grass, to the left of a small copse.

Eventually after two more fields we arrived at a road, close to the junction. We followed the road towards Foxton, turning off after half a mile before Bunkers Hill Farm, along a most unpleasant section of track, rutted by farm vehicles, and very overgrown and rough underfoot. Definitely not recommended!

This emerged opposite what was labelled as a ‘Gated Road to Foxton’ though we saw no gates. In just under a mile we were at the top entrance to Foxton Locks,

so followed the canal down to the pub/cafe, where we stopped for coffee and lunch. 

Then it was simply a short walk, over the bridge, then continuing north along the canal as far as a footbridge. Over the bridge and we headed directly east and mainly uphill for less then a mile to reach Gumley.

A short walk  of just under 5 miles, which felt longer…