Walks you can reach from Melton Mowbray by train

Villages, churches and views across the Vale of Catmose.

Time: 5h–10h30

2 lunch spots: the Horse and Jockey Pub (2h–3h30 in), or the Blue Ball (3h30–6h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Royal Duke, or the Grainstore Brewery

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

Old railway, Roman road, park grounds and meadows.

Burghley House

Time: 5h–9h30

1 lunch spot: Burghley House café (2h30–5h 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.

Parks, river, country park and canal.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h30

1 lunch spot: the Stag and Pheasant (2h–4h 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.

Canal towpath and cycle greenway. Route ends at Leicester Cathedral where Richard III's remains were interred in 2013.

Waterway: three fifths along the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Line).

Time: 2h30–5h30

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

Flat and on decent paths.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Soar.

Time: 5h30–11h

3 lunch spots: Birstall (3h30–7h in) — the Earl of Stamford, the Old Plough, or the White Horse

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Corn Exchange, or the Rainbow and Dove

Adapted from: the Leicester Ramblers.

A good route entirely on well-used paths, cycle tracks and pavements, following Rutland Water's edge and the Rutland Round through fields and farm tracks and short wooded sections. A couple of short muddy sections when wet but nothing serious; a few stiles and a short flight of easy-angled steps; long pavement walks at both ends. Follows the Rutland Round and skirts Rutland Water past the Barnsdale hotel grounds. Toilets and a (seasonal) cafe at Whitwell car park, and more toilets at Sykes Lane. Passes the church at Tickencote.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: A village shop at Empingham (short signposted detour), plus a cafe at Whitwell car park (may be seasonal).

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. Do not turn up Bull Brig Lane near Whitwell, which looks like a track but is a private drive with a locked gate; follow the marina car park roads to the cycle track instead.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An almost entirely flat, easy walk: roadside pavements at the Leicester end give way to wide, level tarmac and cycle-path towpaths along the Grand Union Canal and River Soar and with short diversions over grass and wooded paths between lakes. Short grassy stretches can be soft and muddy in winter. Follows Sustrans Route 48 along the canal. Note Abbey Park is locked at dusk (around 6pm in winter); it can easily be walked around.

Waterway: three quarters along the River Soar.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: A café by the bridge at Abbey Park, and a café and museum at Belgrave Hall Gardens.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A pleasant, fairly direct route on a mix of pavements, farm tracks, towpath and lanes and including a stretch along the Ashby Canal and across wide open fields by the infant River Anker. The towpath and a bridleway between hedges can be very wet and muddy. Follows the Ashby Canal for a stretch. Transport links, shops and stops at either end.

Time: 2h30–5h

1 lunch spot: the Lime Kilns

Warnings: A quarter urban. On the A4254 Eastboro Way, stay on the south side as the north pavement disappears where crossing is awkward. The section east of Attleborough is very wet and muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mostly off-road, fairly direct walk through farm fields, local meadows, canal towpath and the tree-lined Great Central Way old railway line, staying green for much of the way into the city. Good underfoot and with one short uphill section and some steps; shared with cyclists. Uses the Great Central Way. Train links at both ends make a walk-there, train-back option easy.

Time: 3h–5h30

1 lunch spot: King's Lock Tearoom

Warnings: The path between Whetstone and Littlethorpe can flood after prolonged rain or melting snow, with an electric fence constraining the path. Bike barriers limit access at a few points. Castle Gardens are locked at dusk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A walk through pretty Northamptonshire villages and farmland with very little road walking and a variety of terrain. The approach into Corby crosses an industrial estate and the section by Corby tunnel can be bleak and muddy in winter. Largely follows the well-signed Jurassic Way; navigation is easy. The Corby tunnel section can get muddy in winter.

Time: 8h30–17h

Lunch: A cafe in Fineshade Woods, roughly midway.

Warnings: The route crosses and re-crosses the A43; take care.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A relaxing, easy-to-follow route mainly along the Coventry Canal towpath and with short pavement sections through the towns at each end. The towpath surface varies and can be muddy in places. Follows the Coventry Canal; passes canal marinas, evidence of quarrying and an information board on the possible site of Boudica's last battle. A direct train links the two towns.

Waterway: four fifths along the Coventry Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: Shops and a variety of supermarkets in Nuneaton, with stops and shops at both ends.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Scenic route with mixed terrain. Mostly flat and almost entirely off-road, following the river through Nene Park then field paths and quiet lanes between villages and with a short stretch of roadside walking without a pavement between Ailsworth and Sutton. Follows the Hereward Way in part and passes through Nene Park and Burghley Park; a few stiles. Can be navigationally tricky around Sacrewell Farm.

Time: 6h30–13h

Lunch: A couple of pubs and a coffee shop at Castor and Ailsworth, otherwise no eating places until the towns at either end.

Warnings: About 1km of verge-less road walking between Ailsworth and Sutton where you may have to step aside for traffic, plus a crossing of a fast 60mph road. The footpath between Sacrewell Farm and Sutton can be closed during A47 roadworks, forcing a road diversion.

Walk details: Slow Ways.