Hoby, Frisby, Gaddesby and Rearsby, 26th May 2024

Starting near The Blue Bell in Frisby, Rab took 10 members on this 8.8 mile walk following the Leicestershire Round to Frisby and Gaddesby returning through Rotherby on the Midshires Way on undulating Leicestershire farmland.

The start in Hoby

First crossing of the Wreake below Hoby

The Melton Mowbray Navigation was formed when in 1797 the River Wreake was made navigable upstream to Melton Mowbray from its junction with the River Soar near Syston.  Largely river navigation, there were numerous locks built, one near Hoby.
At Melton, the canal joined the now disused Oakham Canal (1802).  Note that, as part of the Active Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival, you can book a place on a guided walk along a 2-mile section in Oakham 

Very passive horses near Frisby

Old Village Cross in Frisby - coffee

Undulating countryside just after crossing the A607 Leicester to Melton road

Field of newly-planted buckwheat with it characteristic arrowhead leaves was seen fully grown in late Summer last year.  It is a short-season cover crop and matures in just 70 to 90 days. It suppresses weeds and attracts beneficial insects and pollinators with its abundant blossoms

St Luke's, Gaddesby - lunch

Brooksby Hall, an agricultural college, now merged with Brooksby Melton College

All Saints' Church, Rotherby

Waterhouse Bridge and the River Wreake in spate

This beautiful brick bridge was built in 1794 by the Melton Mowbray Navigation Company as part of work to make the River Weake navigable from Syston, where it joins the Leicester Navigation, to Melton Mowbray where it linked with the Oakham Canal

 River Wreake looking upstream.  Site of old Hoby Lock

   

All Saints' Church Hoby - click here for the sound of the bells.  A similar recording a 1pm in Gaddesby was not so rewarding