Adventures in High Leicestershire

As soon as I heard of ‘High Leicestershire’ I just knew it was ripe for exploration.

The name conjures up a certain remote wild fastness that tugs at my adventuring spirit.  It brought to mind Edith Durham‘s wonderful adventure-travel book ‘High Albania‘ and y’know, if it’s good enough for Edith then it’s good enough for me!

One late Saturday morning at the end of May, I hopped on the train from Ely and an hour later arrived at Oakham in Rutland.

I headed west out of Oakham and 15 minutes later had crossed the border into Leicestershire and was climbing the first hill of the day (Mill Hill 180m!). I rested at the summit, crunched on a handful of pork scratchings. and took in the view of Rutland Water.

Rutland water
Rutland water

My destination was the Iron Age hillfort at Burrough Hill, ten miles away.

I followed public footpaths that took me up and over gently rolling hills…

High Leicestershire hills
The roiling hills of High Leicestershire

…and through fields of oilseed rape.

Fields of rape
Fields of rape

As the clouds cleared and the sun put in an appearance, the meadows and fields took on a lush glow, the English countryside at the start of summer, gorgeous!

Lecistershire looking lovely
Leicestershire looking lovely

The approach to the hillfort took me up through the wooded canopy of Dalby Hills.

Dalby Hills path
Dalby Hills path

After a steep climb I reached the summit of Burrough Hill (2oom), the views were tremendous.

The view from Burrough Hill
The view from Burrough Hill

The embankments of the hillfort are well defined and run around its entire perimeter.

Trig point on Burrough Hill
Trig point on Burrough Hill

I walked a circuit of the hillfort, imaging the community that once lived up here.

Fort walls
Fort walls

Here’s an “artist’s impression” of the fort:

Burrough Hill settlement
Burrough Hill back in the day (image borrowed from www.thiswasleicestershire.co.uk

The fort is now home to sheep and a few cattle.  I had considered the summit of Burrough Hill as a wild camping site but am not so sure now.  Do sheep bleet throughout the night? And what are the implications for sleeping amongst all those droppings?

Or am I being a complete wimp?

You tell me.

Burrough Hill sheep
Burrough Hill sheep, will they mind if I camp on their home?

I ate my cornish pastie lunch and enjoyed the lofty views.  Oh, and I took a selfie, as you can see.

The lonesome traveller on Burrough Hill
The lonesome traveller on Burrough Hill

And then it was time to walk the 10 miles back to Oakham, which I was pleased to note is twinned with ‘Dodgeville’, USA, a name right out of a wild west cowboy gunfight film.

Oakham, twinned with Dodgeville
Oakham, twinned with Dodgeville

Before hopping on the train back home I purchased a very cold can of Stella, a perfect way to finish a fine day’s hiking in the ‘lonely hills’ of High Leicestershire.

On the train home with Ms Artois
On the train home with Ms Artois

 

13 thoughts on “High Leicestershire –
Oakham to Burrough Hill

  1. Lovely, looks like a great walk! I’d never thought of a holiday in Leicestershire before, but this has made me think of a little weekend trip to explore the high and Wild places.

  2. Wow, more gorgeous scenery, although you do set a cracking pace for 20 miles and a late morning start!
    (I’d be more worried about sleeping amongst the few cattle than the sheep.)

    1. I started at about 9am and finished by 6pm, I do walk kind of fast, I paid for it the next day! I really need to learn how to slow down a little.

  3. Hi Martin,

    What lovely scenery. Your walk sounded like a great day out. I too, when out hiking, enjoy a little drink to celebrate the day. As far as the camping idea goes, go for it. You won’t regret it.

    1. I always enjoy a beer after a walk, usually in a pub but a can of beer on a train is rather nice as well : )

  4. Do sheep bleat through the night? They can, especially when there are lambs around. Sheep droppings are probably going to annoy you by getting things a bit dirty (if they’re not dry), rather than being a real problem. A curious sheep might look at you in the night, but they’re pretty cautious creatures, so they’re not going to settle down next to you and keep you warm (unfortunately – I would love to have a nice wooly hot water bottle)!

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