Walk 4 – Belton in Rutland to Somerby

After another long gap since the last walk due to work patterns and other commitments, we did this section of the route on Saturday 23^rd July during a very warm period of weather  We had both cars in place by 8.30 am and started off shortly after.  It was not the best of walks but more of that later.

 

Belton in Rutland to Launde Abbey

Belton in Rutland is a small village just off the A47 with a very run down looking pub – The Sun Inn.  It looks as if it closed down years ago and has been left in a state of disrepair but apparently it is still open and functioning.

The first part of the walk took us along a country lane out of Belton in Rutland passing a couple of farms before the path turned off and headed uphill towards Ridlington Ridge. We had superb views over the surrounding countryside. 

3 Horses came out of their stable as we walked
along the lane out of Belton in Rutland



The corn fields are getting quite high now.


 



 

Rutland countryside from Ridlington Ridge

View from Ridlington Ridge

The route took us over the ridge, down to the River Chater and up the hill on the other side for a short distance where we turned and followed the course of the river all the way to Launde Abbey. 

 

We were pestered by flies and some blood sucking insects for much of this section which made it very uncomfortable.  We kept feeling sharp pains in our hands or arms to find one of these creatures had punctured the skin and left a small blood trail.



Leicestershire farmland near Launde Abbey

One of the lakes near Launde Abbey



The gardens at Launde Abbey

Launde Abbey is an extensively modified Elizabethan manor house, originally built on the site of an Augustinian priory, Launde Priory. The original priory was founded before 1125 (in 1119 according to a modern inscription in the reception hall) by Richard Basset and his wife Matilda.  The chapel is thought to be all that remains of the original priory church. Some of its stained glass is mediaeval.  Today it is used as a conference centre and Church of England retreat

Launde Abbey and Entrance

Launde Abbey to Owston

After a short stop at the entrance to the Abbey, we eventually decided on the onward route, although the signs were not clear.   We continued uphill through a field of recently rolled hay bales where from the top, we had a really good view of the Abbey. 

 

View from top of hill towards Launde Abbey

 

The path was very rough in places and had us scrambling down a very short steep bank and up another equally steep bank before getting back to a normal footpath.  We reached the grounds of Withcote Hall where there were a few derelict buildings and a farm at which we were greeted by some very noisy but harmless little dogs. 

Ragwort was a common sight on this walk
bringing a lot of colour to the hedgerows.

 

After leaving Withcote,we crossed the road linking Tilton-on-the-Hill to Braunston-in-Rutland road and up towards Owston Woods.  It was very hot by now and we took a break under a big tree to have a very early lunch and dry off a bit as we were both in a sweat by now.  We were also looking forward to a bit of cooler air in the woods but were in for a nasty surprise.

As soon as we entered Owston Woods, the path became extremely muddy.  Keeping to the edge was not easy and to begin with there were no obvious other ways to get through.  We were wearing walking shoes rather than boots today because we didn’t expect to encounter any really wet conditions.  However for this stretch, we could really have done with boots and gaiters.  Eventually my left foot sunk about 6 inches into the mud and my shoe came off as I tried to lift my foot..  I lost my balance and my next step took me back into deep mud with just my sock on.  After retrieving my shoe and standing on one leg for ages while deciding what to do, I continued in just my sock until we found a bit of more solid ground.   I continue withjust one sock, which was a bit uncomfortable but there was no other option.  Next time I will pack some spare socks.

 

On leaving the woods we were again treated to some lovely views, this time over towards the village of Knossington to the north east.  We continued across farmland to the village of Owston.

Knossington Village and surrounding countryside

 

Owston is a small, pretty isolated hamlet with no shops and no pub.  The Parish Church of St Andrew, a Grade I listed building, was originally an Abbey and substantial buildings stood around the site of the current church.  Owston Abbey was never prosperous and eventually demolished with the exception of a part of a part of the Abbey Church which was retained by the existing church, resulting in an unusually proportioned building.

Our route took us right through the village where we passed some really lovely cottages and other larger houses and also past the old village well and a water pump with an inscription from 1907 to the memory of Frederick and Mary Palmer. 

Owston Cottages

The Well at Owston

Water Pump in Owston

 

Owston to Somerby

We left the village of Owston, following the Newbold Road for a while before the path again turned off over farmland towards Somerby. The final part of the walk was across undulating farmland.  At one point we walked through oilseed rape fields, which 2 months ago would have been bright yellow but were now a brown colour as they await harvesting.  About midway between Owston and Somerby we came across the only seat on this part of the route and rested for a few minutes before tackling the final climb up to Somerby.

Paul walking ahead of me alongside
a field of Oilseed Rape

Somerby is a small country village with a population of around 500. The surrounding area is referred to as 'High Leicestershire' as it is mostly several hundred feet above sea level.  During WWII, the village was used as a base station and testing ground for Operation Market Garden, the airborne attack on Arnhem.

 

We would have liked to make a short stop at the Stilton Cheese pub, but were too muddy and dirty from the episode in Owston woods so we will revisit another time.

 

Somerby Village with Stilton Cheese pub
on left hand side

Distance

We clocked up 8.9 miles on this section, but didn't get lost or go out of our way at all.  This time we used a compass when we were unsure of the onward path and this certainly paid off as the signposts are not always good.

Next Walk

The next walk will be from Somerby to Frisby on the Wreake, described as a strenuous stretch of about 11 or 12 miles.