Ashby Ramble
2 March 2025
Our walk begins in the pretty town of Melbourne, in South Derbyshire and proceeds to Ashby-de-la-Zouch via Breedon and Staunton Harold Hall. The distance is approximately 10 miles. This interesting walk replaces the Lichfield walk listed in the Winter Programme. We are unable to do the latter for the time being, as several footpaths are temporarily closed due to HS2 works.
We begin our walk in Castle Square Melbourne, adjacent to where the castle used to stand. Proceeding through Church Square we pass the church of St Michael with St Mary’s, along the Cross Britain Way. Described by Pevsner as the most ambitious surviving Norman parish church in England, it celebrates its 900th anniversary this year. We then see Melbourne Hall on our left before passing the 20-acre Melbourne Pool, a natural pool of water mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
We quickly leave the town and make a gradual ascent through fields, crossing into Leicestershire to our second ecclesiastical objective, the imposing church of St Mary & St Hardulph at Breedon, high on a hill and dominating the surrounding countryside. We shall have a break here, giving us the chance to admire the views and the church itself. This was the site of an Anglo Saxon monastery and an Iron Age hill fort known as ‘The Bulwarks’. An Augustinian priory was later built on the site, of which the church is all that remains. Much of the site has been lost to the adjacent quarry. The church is a real treasure, renowned for its Anglo Saxon stone sculptures and exceptional architecture.
Inspired by the location and a good rest, we descend through Breedon-on-the-Hill village, passing the village lockup on the way. We then proceed over gently sloping fields past a group of farms intriguingly labelled on maps as ‘Scotland’ to Melbourne Lodge, where we enter the Staunton Harold estate. We shall have or second break here in the grounds adjacent to the hall, the lake and church. Pevsner described the scene as ‘unsurpassed in the country, at least as far as Englishness is concerned’. Refreshments and toilets are available at the craft centre.
Suitably refreshed, we proceed towards Heath End and rejoin the Cross Britain Way for a southerly amble towards Ashby. Our route takes us through pretty farmland, with large areas of woodland on either side. Just south of Old Parks Farm, we cross the Black Ditches and slowly climb past Western Old Parks Farm. Just beyond is the highest point on our walk, at around 150 metres above sea level. We then descend gradually into the delightful little market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The picturesque Market Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, has wonderfully characterful Elizabethan and Regency buildings, including (of course) old pubs. A quick walk to the castle can be arranged, if people are interested.
The coach will leave from a bus stop at the western end of North Street, just down from Ashby-de-la-Zouch Museum, at 5pm. North street runs parallel to Market Street, one block to the north. We shall point out where the stop is situated as we enter the town at the end of the walk.
As ever we are keen to welcome new walkers. There is no need to book, just turn up at one of the following bus stops. The coach fare is £14 payable on the return journey. Please email or ring the contacts on the home page if you need any information or advice.
Coach Departure
The coach picks up at the following points.
(With the agreement of the leader other pick-up points
on the bus route may be available).
| “Staff of Life” pub, Hack Lane | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.15am |
| Priestic Road, opp McDonald’s | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.20am |
| Eastfield Side, (Blue Bell) | Sutton-in-Ashfield | 9.22am |
| Hermitage Lane stop, Sutton Road | Mansfield | 9.25am |
| ASDA bus stop. Stockwell Gate. | Mansfield | 9.30am |
