Staunton Harold

Join us for this lovely walk in the environs of the Staunton Harold estate, offering a variety of new and mature woodland of the National Forest, fields, meadows and fine views over the Trent valley. We start out from the car park of the Ferrers Arts and Crafts Centre, by Staunton Harold Hall, where there are toilets, a cafe and craft shops. Walking through parkland then a bridleway, we soon enter Bignalls Wood, followed by Jaguar Lount Wood. Look out for oak, ash, birch and maples among the trees on our route. The paths are muddy in many places, so prepare well !! From the woods, we descend into fields to the village of Lount, where we shall have our morning break. We return back to where we started the ‘Lount loop’ and walk through parkland on a good path by Walnut Research Area 1, part of the largest walnut plantation in the UK.  We then follow the trackbed of the old Ashby to Melbourne railway (opened 1874), the successor to the original Calke estate tramway system, before ascending gently towards the A511, then breaking right onto a long section of mostly made-up road, passing some of the farms that make up “Old Parks Farm”. We have our lunch by Old Parks House.

In the afternoon, we cross fields above the distant Trent Valley, offering views of Radcliffe power station, East Midlands Airport and Bredon Hill church. Our walk passes through further fields and woodland until we reach the parkland of Staunton Harold Hall and the Ferrers Centre once more. There are about 12 stiles on the walk.

Toilets are available at the beginning and end of the walk. Ground conditions are muddy and wet in places but with plenty of well-made pathways and tracks.