Discover the Melton Navigation with these new walks
The Society has published a new book of walks to encourage more people to discover the Melton Navigation. The 6 walks along the River Wreake follow, as closely as possible, the original route of the Navigation, from Melton Mowbray to Cossington, a distance of just over 16 miles.
They are based on the original Wreake Valley Way route, which was compiled shortly after the Society was formed in 1997 but they have been updated and expanded and now include information about the villages and other points of interest along the way.
Most walks take around a couple of hours for both the outward and return journey and some include a circular route.
It is no longer possible to walk alongside the river all the way because, when the Navigation was abandoned in the late 1800s, the towpath reverted to private landowners. You can, however, see many of the 12 original locks, some of which are in remarkably good condition.
Following are the individual walks:
- Walk 1: Melton Mowbray to Eye Kettleby Lock
- Walk 2: Eye Kettleby Lock to Kirby Bellars
- Walk 3: Kirby Bellars to Frisby on the Wreake
- Walk 4: Frisby on the Wreake to Hoby
- Walk 5: Hoby to Thrussington or Ratcliffe on the Wreake
- Walk 6: Ratcliffe on the Wreake to Three Way Bridge & the River Soar
The book contains details of how to get to the starting points (and return) either by car or bus and walks can be undertaken individually or linked together.
The Society hopes the book will help make more people aware of the Navigation’s history and what MOWS are doing to restore it with the aim of enabling boats to once again sail from the national canal network into the centre of Melton.
These are delightful walks through some beautiful countryside and lovely villages and there’s fascinating history.
Costing just £3.95, the 40-page book is currently available at Melton Sports in King Street, Melton, Grange Garden Centre at Asfordby Hill, Hilltop Farm shop, the Country Park cafe and Frisby Post Office and will shortly be on sale in other outlets.