Guthlaxton was an ancient administration area, part of the 'Hundreds of Leicestershire' covering the south of the country.
The Guthlaxton Trail is a waymarked route starting at Glen Parva to the south of the city of Leicester and running for 21 miles to Market Harborough in the south of the county (or in the opposite direction if you are starting from Market Harborough) taking in quiet roads and a canal towpath.
This attractive route passes Blaby church
then moves on to Willerby Waterleys
I have trouble understanding the mentality of people who steal cars, I have even more trouble understanding the minds of people who do so then drive into the countryside and commit mindless vandalism. How do they get home afterwards? Do they have another car ready? What satisfaction does it give them?
On the routes goes, giving a view of the quiet waters of Saddington reservoir.
The road to Gumley, the picture does not give a full impression of the climb away from the reservoir, just believe me when I say it is a seriously steep hill.
Gumley Hall, in the village of the same name. When first built the hall had 'an engine' which produced gas for domestic use. The engine house is now a residential building so we have to take it they are now connected to the mains system.
The route joins the Grand Union canal in the village of Foxton, giving the chance of a diversion to visit the canal basin and view the flight of locks - or eat and drink at the café.
The route itself joins the canal at a swing bridge, which was closed when I arrived to allow for the passage of a narrow boat.
Shortly before my arrival in Market Harborough the route was closed due to construction of a new road, meaning I had to retrace part of the towpath and use the main road.
Thank you. If you have ridden this route I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. The final 'missing section' is now open again. I used it in September 2021 on my way back from London along the East Midlands Cycle Route - see the account in this blog.
ReplyDelete