Walks from Market Harborough

Time: 4h30–9h30

2 lunch spots: the Swan Inn (2h–4h30 in), or Waterloo Lodge (2h–4h30 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Beer House, the Freemasons Arms, the Cherry Tree, or the Oat Hill

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Upland limestone plateau; roads, grass verges and pavements. Battle of Naseby occurred June 14, 1645; decisive Parliamentary victory.

Time: 7h–14h

Warnings: Worst stretches in terms of traffic volume and corner visibility.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Rolling hills of the south east Midlands. Brampton Valley Way: former railway opened 1859, closed 1981, converted to multipurpose path in 1993; one of the longest ex-trackbed paths in the UK; runs through former ironstone quarrying area.

Time: 7h30–15h30

Warnings: Two unlit tunnels (Oxendon Tunnel and Kelmarsh Tunnel).

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

A long route mostly on good paths and pavements, crossing East Carlton Countryside Park and with rain a recurring feature making it wet underfoot. Patchy signposting and loose GPX plotting; not all paths clearly marked on the ground. Shared with the Jurassic Way and Midshires Way. Market Harborough is delightful with a fine stone bridge over the railway; East Carlton Countryside Park is on the route and worth a visit, with alpacas, sheep, red kites and peacocks seen along the way.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: Food is available at the Post Office in Wilbarston mid-route.

Warnings: Navigation can be difficult where paths are not clearly marked on the ground or map (walkers have got lost around Stoke Albany); patchy signposting.

Walk details: Slow Ways.