Walks
Somerby Festival of Walking 2026 is offering a number of walks of various distances between Friday 15th May and Sunday 17th May. These are guided, free-to-join walks for anyone who would enjoy some fresh air and a good walk with like-minded people. Details of the dates, times and routes are set out below.
We have tried to be clear about the distance of each walk, the time it might take, the stiles and obstacles that may be encountered along the way. But in the end it is for you to be sure that you only sign up for walks that you are comfortable you can do; the guides have volunteered to lead walks, but they are not responsible for checking that you are fit enough, appropriately dressed or otherwise capable of completing these walks. Please read and be aware of our Terms and Conditions before booking to join any walk.
Walks can be booked by visiting the 'Book' page and following the instructions there. Online booking will close at the end of the day before the walk departs.
All these walks are on public access footpaths, bridleways and lanes, so if you fancy having a go at any of them on your own then download the map and head out to enjoy the countryside.
Follow the Somerby Festival of Walking Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2097462610441179
Walk No 1
Friday 15th May 2026
Burrough Court Circuit
5 miles
Approx 3.5 hours (including coffee stop)
The traditional start to the Festival of Walking! A walk on footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough Court coffee shop where we will stop for tea/coffee (and cake!) before returning to Somerby on tracks and quiet lanes. There is just one stile on the route. which is the back way into Burrough Court. There is no dog gate on the stile, but the fence rails are far enough apart that most dogs can get through. The stile can be avoided by walking around to the front entrance of Burrough Court if necessary.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at the coffee shop. Payment at the coffee shop is by card only.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 2
Friday 15th May 2026
Classic Burrough Hill Circuit
5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
A walk following Leicestershire Round footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads) from Somerby to Burrough Hill Fort. There are no stiles on this route but it can be muddy particularly through Dalby Hills Woods. There is a short sharp stride up to the hillfort for wonderful panoramic views. Bridleway and footpaths will lead us back to Somerby via the village of Burrough on the Hill.
Departs 2.30pm from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 3
Saturday 16th May 2026
Newbold Grange Farm Circuit
5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
A walk on quiet lanes from Somerby towards Newbold Grange Farm, before turning onto footpaths through some livestock fields (all dogs MUST be on leads), bridlepaths and quiet lanes in the direction of Owston before picking up the Leicestershire Round path back to Somerby. There is one stile on this route.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 4
Saturday 16th May 2026
Red Lodge/ Viaduct Circuit
9 miles
Approx 4 hours walking
We start our walk on a quiet lane to Newbold before crossing a ford and taking a track and green lane to Red Lodge Farm (the path recently reopened after a year of closure) then turn towards Marefield and over to the John O'Gaunt viaduct which we pass underneath. There will be a picnic lunch stop at the viaduct. Ford depth permitting we will then take permissive paths back toward Burrough Court and onto footpaths back to Burrough and Somerby. Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas.
There are some stiles on this route and not all have dog gates. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary. This route also crosses a number of fords, not all of which have footbridges, but if any are too high to walk though, an alternative oute will be selected.
Departs 11.30am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 5
Saturday 16th May 2026
Tenth Battalion Trail
15 miles
Approx 6 hours walking
In 1943-44 the 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment was billeted in and around Somerby prior to deployment during Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. The Friends of the Tenth have devised the Tenth Battalion Trail which takes in places related to the time the Tenth stayed in our area (marked with maroon plaques). A walking circuit taking on Somerby, Owston, Burrough on the Hill, Thorpe Satchville and well as Burrough Hill Fort and, of course, the 10th Battalion Memorial near Burrough Court.
The walk will be led by a representative of Friends of the Tenth who will share the story of the Tenth Battalion's time in our area and their fate at the Battle of Arnhem.
The route takes in some of the nicest walking in the area, so whether you are interested in the history of the 10th Battalion, WWII history, local history, or just enjoy a good walk in convivial company, this is the one for you.
The walk crosses some livestock fields and all dogs MUST be on leads in these areas. There are some stiles on this route and they do not all have dog gates. You must be able to lift your dog over stiles if necessary.
Departs 12 noon from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 6
Saturday 16th May 2026
Burrough Village Circuit
3 miles
Approx 1.5 hours walking
A short but lovely walk on footpaths between Somerby and Burrough on the Hill village with far reaching views. Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas.
There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 3pm from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 7
Sunday 17th May 2026
Launde Abbey/Tilton on the Hill Circuit
15 miles
Approx 5 hours walking + breaks
We take the Leicestershire Round footpath from Somerby to Launde Abbey where we will stop at the Abbey tearoom for coffee before heading on towards Loddington and turning right to pass Launde Big Wood and on to the Oxy crossroads Taking the quiet lane towards Skeffington before turning onto footpaths and tracks including some of the Midshires Way towards Tilton on the Hill. There will be a picnic lunch stop before reaching Tilton where we will join footpaths and quiet lanes back to Somerby.
The walk crosses some livestock fields and all dogs MUST be on leads in these areas. There are some stiles on this route and they do not all have dog gates. You must be able to lift your dog over stiles if necessary.
Departs 10am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Walk No 8
Sunday 17th May 2026
White Goose Flower Farm Walk
5.5 miles
Approx 3 hours walking + time at White Goose Flowers
We start our walk on the Leicestershire Round footpath towards Burrough Hill diverting onto the Jubilee Way to White Goose walled flower garden where we will make a stop. Tea and coffee will be available and it is a lovely spot for a picnic lunch. We can pick our own flowers (not obligatory) at White Goose and they will arrange for delivery back to Somerby Memorial Hall so that they are waiting for us when we get back from our walk - for details and flower prices see https://whitegooseflowers.com/
We will make our way back to Somerby through Burrough Hill Country Park and taking footpaths and bridleways to Burrough village and back to Somerby.
The walk includes some sheep fields and all dogs MUST be on leads in these areas and while at White Goose. There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 10.30am from Somerby Memorial Hall
Fully Booked
If you would like to go on a waitlist for the walk please fill in a booking form in the normal way and I'll contact you in the event of any cancellations.
Walk No 9
Sunday 17th May 2026
Thorpe Satchville Circuit
7 miles
Approx 3.5 hours
Taking lovely footpaths from Somerby to Burrough and on towards Thorpe Satchville where we pass through the churchyard of the pretty church before taking a picnic stop at the picnic benches at Thorpe Satchville. We head back on more undulating footpaths to Burrough and Somerby.
Our walk uses a number of footpaths through sheep pasture so all dogs MUST be on leads in those areas.
There are some stiles on this route and not all have dog gates. If you bring your dog you do need to be able to lift them over the stiles if necessary.
Departs 11.30 from Somerby Memorial
Walk No 10
Sunday 17th May 2026
Sunday Stroll
3.5 miles
Approx 2.5 hours walking
This is a Sunday afternoon stroll for anyone who would like a walk in like-minded company, but is not confident about keeping up with one of our normal walks. We will go at the pace of the slowest among us with no pressure at all to speed up. A walk on quiet lanes, permissive paths and bridleways.
There are no stiles on this route.
Departs 3pm from Somerby Memorial Hall