viewing the oldest oak
The oldest oak tree
Many thanks to Chris Bancroft for leading this lovely walk. He used many paths that were new to the lots of the twenty five walkers that enjoyed the good weather and sites of historical interest.
We were warmly welcomed by this great poem at the start which introduced us to the mornings walk. Chris is famous for his poems that he often starts with when he leads his walks, thanks again.
POEM
Welcome to this walk today
I did this work out in the rain
so I hope I don’t get wet again
I have for you a very good route
with points of interest I hope will suit.
We’ll take the track on to Bradgate
where the famous ruins and deer park await
old packhorse bridge
But this will not be our main Country Park today
We’ll visit another via Ausfey way.
It is to the Castle Hill Country Park we will go
where an ancient oak puts on a show.
The Castle Hill earthworks here are found
And we will walk to the top of the mound.
In fact there was never a castle at this site
An enclosed monastic farm would be right.
Some packhorse bridges are over the Rothley Brook
The date from medieval times and we will take a look.
pack horse bridge
So the walk today is about seven and a half miles
When you have crossed over two, there no more stiles
And when we return to the Bradgate Arms
I hope you’ve enjoyed this walk and its charms.