The winter programme continues with a 10 mile linear walk between Melbourne and Ashby-de-la-Zouch via Breedon and Staunton Harold Hall' shorter walk option should be available. New members always made most welcome.

The walk begins in Castle Square in Melbourne, adjacent to where the castle used to stand. We carry on past the Church of St Michael with St Mary's along the Cross Britain Way, we then pass by the 20 acre Melbourne Pool.

We quickly leave the town and make a gradual ascent through fields, crossing into Leicestershire and on to the imposing church of St Hardulph at Breedon-on-the-hill. Time for a short break here and to explore the church. The church is a real treasure with its Anglo Saxon stone sculptures and exceptional architecture.

We then descend through Breedon-on-the-Hill village, and proceed over gently sloping fields past a group of farms identified on the map as Scotland, and on to Melbourne Lodge before entering the Staunton Harold Estate. This will be the location for our second break on the grounds adjacent to the Hall. Refreshments and toilets available at the craft centre.

placeholder image — Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

We then continue to Heath End and join the Great Britain Way for a southerly amble towards Ashby. Our route takes us through pretty farmland with large areas of woodland either side. Just south of Old Parks Farm, we cross the Black Ditches and slowly climb past Western Old Parks Farm. We then descend into the delightful market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Our coach will depart from a bus stop at the western end of North Street at 5.00pm.

In the morning, the coach departs from the Staff of Life pub in Sutton-in-Ashfield at 9.17am and from the Bancroft Lane end of Stockwell Gate in Mansfield at 9.30am. There are other pick up points en route. The coach fare is £14, accompanied juniors free.

For further information please contact Sharon on 07811661104 or John on 07749164455. Alternatively visit our website www.suttonramblingclub.com