LEICESTERSHIRE ROUND (5) Bagworth to Newtown Linford (7m)

LEICESTERSHIRE ROUND (5) Bagworth to Newtown Linford (7m)

15/1/2004

Weather cold and rainy.

From the Working Men’s Club in Bagworth we turn right and on to the Church of Holy Rood, which was quite a surprise, as it looked more like a big Public Toilet! After leaving Bagworth you look towards the spire of the Church in Thornton and the railway line that was first opened by Stephenson in 1832, being the first public railway in the Midlands. On reaching Thornton we diverted to reach the Church of St. Peter, and as no seat was available we had a cup of tea on the wall and put on our waterproofs.

The Church of St. Peter at Thornton dates from 1189, and Thornton itself is mentioned in 1086. It is said that the Church has a door with medieval ironwork, but we could not be sure which door. At the edge of the churchyard close to the Reservoir we saw a number of birds. We could now identify a large flock that we had we had seen after leaving Bagworth as Greenfinches. We had not seen so many flocking together before. Also we had a good sight of Fieldfares that were content to stay about 40 yards away, unlike as normal fleeing at the sight of us.

After leaving Thornton along the side of the Reservoir we regained the path. Shortly there was again a view ahead of the next church spire in Markfield, and the area called Charnwood Forest. At Markfield we first diverted up to the Trig Point (222m) at Hill Hole Quarry, where there were good views in spite of the dull day. We decided to go down to the disused Quarry to have our lunch as it was out of the cold wind.

From the Trig Point we visited the Church of St.Michael and All Angels and left Markfield on the long walk to Newtown Linford. We left the Church visit until next time.