Walks near Leicester by train
Leicestershire · East Midlands
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Leicester and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Leicester.
Derby Circular via Allestree Park (Derbyshire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
Parks, river and heritage trail.
Museum of Making (30 mins in)
6 lunch spots: Darley Park (1h15 in) — Darley Park Terrace Cafe, the Little Darley in the Park, the Abbey Inn, or the Darleys; plus the Joiners Arms (3h in), or the Orangery Café (4h in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Victoria Inn, or the Waterfall
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Similar walk: North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.
Oakham Circular via Manton (Rutland)
30 minutes direct from Leicester.
Villages, churches and views across the Vale of Catmose.
2 lunch spots: the Horse and Jockey Pub (1h45 in), or the Blue Ball (3h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Royal Duke, or the Grainstore Brewery
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Melton Mowbray to Oakham (Leicestershire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
Rural countryside.
2 lunch spots: Little Spice Box (3h15 in), or the White Lion Inn (3h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Railway Inn, or the Grainstore Brewery
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Derby to Long Eaton (Derbyshire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
Waterways — River Derwent, Derby & Sandiacre Canal and Erewash Canal.
2 lunch spots: Canal Cottage Cafe (2h45 in), or the Navigation (3h15 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: Peking House, or the Sawley Junction
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Nottingham to East Midlands Parkway (Nottinghamshire)
30 minutes direct from Leicester.
Canal, river, wooded track and roadside footpath.
2 lunch spots: Wilford Farm (1h30 in), or Dovecote Barn Café (3h in)
Warnings: Short stretch on busy A453.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Duffield to Derby (Derbyshire)
30 minutes from Leicester, with one change.
Repurposed railway track along the Great Northern Greenway.
Duffield Castle: The remains of one of England's largest castles (National Trust; 30 mins to visit).
2 lunch spots: the Bell and Harp (1h in), or the Three Horseshoes (2h15 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Alexandra Hotel, the Brunswick, the Waterfall, or the Merry Widows
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Loughborough Circular via Walton on the Wolds (Leicestershire)
9 minutes direct from Leicester.
Canal, footpaths and roadside footpath.
3 lunch spots: the Anchor Inn (1h45 in), the Blacksmith's Arms (2h45 in), or the Moorings (2h45 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Boat Inn
Warnings: Last section on busy road.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Market Harborough Circular via Braybrooke (Leicestershire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
2 lunch spots: the Swan Inn (2h15 in), or Waterloo Lodge (3h30 in)
4 end-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
East Midlands Parkway Circular via Gotham (Nottinghamshire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
3 lunch spots: Gotham (3h in) — the Sun Inn, the Cuckoo Bush Inn, or the Star Inn
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Nuneaton Circular via Hartshill (Warwickshire)
15 minutes direct from Leicester.
Parks, river, country park and canal.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
1 lunch spot: the Stag and Pheasant (2h in)
5 end-of-walk rewards: the Lord Hop, the Felix Holt, the George Eliot Hotel, the Black Swan In Hand, or the Silk Mill
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Kettering Circular via Pytchley (Northamptonshire)
30 minutes direct from Leicester.
Villages and countryside.
5 lunch spots: Broughton (3h30 in) — Best Plaice, the Red Lion, Broughton Fish and Chips, or the Broughton & Cransley WMC; plus the Overstone Arms (1h15 in)
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.
Stamford Circular via Easton on the Hill (Northamptonshire)
45 minutes direct from Leicester.
Old railway, Roman road, park grounds and meadows.
Burghley House (2h30 in)
Priest's House, Easton on the Hill: Small pre-Reformation stone building (National Trust; 3h45 in; 30 mins to visit).
1 lunch spot: Burghley House restaurant (2h30 in)
6 end-of-walk rewards: the Birch Tree Cafe, the Exeter Arms, the Easton on the Hill Village, the Blue Bell Pub, the George, or the Bull and Swan
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk.
Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.