Leicestershire Round (7) Woodhouse Eaves to Cossington (7m)

May 2004...Weather mostly cloudy and muggy.

The Walk started in Woodhouse Eaves at the free Car Park, and first was a visit to St. Paul’s Church Built on top of a huge mound of granite rock with a cave-type entrance. The village seemed a pleasant place compared to what we were to meet later. Leaving the village we cross the Great Central Railway line at Rabbit’s Bridge. The line still has steam trains running at times.

The walk then goes round the northern edge of Swithland Reservoir and leaves towards Mountsorrel via Kinchley Lane. After crossing the dismantled railway track we took the wrong path, and this led us down to the main road and a left turn down to the Church of St. Peter. The churchyard was small and enclosed and so we decided to try Mountsorrel Lock for our lunch.

We actually had dinner in the Peace Garden overlooking the lock and over to the far side and the gardens of the Waterside Pub. We watched a Yacht Chandler busy about his business. After lunch we climbed over Castle Hill, with good views, and down to the other Church of Christ Church. The path signs led us down through a new estate and on to Mountsorrel Marshes, but we ended up crossing under the busy A6 near the river Soar. We then had a long walk along the river on soft soil to get back to the correct river crossing. We did not think much to Mountsorrel especially after the nice village of Woodhouse Eaves.

The Way then continues over Sileby Lock and weirs and then along the river Soar before cutting off to Cossington and the Church of All Saints.