Leicestershire Walks, Leicestershire Round

Leicestershire Round (1) Sharnford to Barwell (6m) November 2003...Weather warm, cloudy and humid. (Today was a record temperature of 18C in London for a November day). The first leg started at Sharnford, but the Church of St. Helen was left to end of the walk as we had arrived late, and could be visited at the end of the walk. After a short time we had to remove our coats and walk in short sleeves. The Church at Aston Flamville is St. Peter’s and has the 16C tomb of Sir William Turvil, but this must be inside of the church, as we could find no trace in the churchyard. The Manor House dates from the 1800’s. After Aston Flamville we pass over the M69 and past the fringes of Burbage and then alongside Burbage Wood. We did not see any Sparrow Hawks as implied, or the two forms of Partridge. The walk then enters Burbage Common and just before the railway line we had lunch at a picnic site. The Common crosses a golf course and the path is indistinct, but the golfers are sure to tell you the right way! The Walk ended at Barwell. As the darkness was descending we left the visit to the Church until the start of the next leg

History of Aston Flamville... www.hinckleypastpresent.org/astonflamville.html

History of Aston Flamville... www.hinckleypastpresent.org/astonflamville.html

Wikipedia for Barwell en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwell

War Memorial details... historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1295064

November 2003. The Walk started from the Church of St Mary at Barwell and heading West to cross the A 447. At the point of joining the Ambion Way we struck North to reach the Ashby Canal and followed the towpath to reach Sutton Wharf and a place for our lunch. Leaving the towpath and through Ambion Wood we came to the site of the Battle of Bosworth field fought in 1485. It then about half a mile to Sutton Cheney.

A place for lunch on a unusually warm November day in 2003.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosworth_Field

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosworth_Field

December 2003, Weather cloudy with cool breeze (10C) The walk began at the Church of St. James at Sutton Cheney, where Richard III was said to have prayed before the Battle of Bosworth Field, and then heading northwest to Market Bosworth and the Church of St.Peter. There was not a seat in the churchyard and so we had a cup of tea in the Market Square close to the Grammar School. The Grammar School was founded in early Tudor times and funded by Sir Wolstan Dixie in 1601 We then pass through numerous agricultural fields and to the village of Carlton and a slight diversion to the Church of St.Andrew with its quaint bell tower, and there we had our lunch. The path then continues in northwesterly direction, and more agricultural fields, all looking much the same, and on to Shackerstone Station, the centre of the restored steam railway tourist attraction. They were today preparing the “Santa Special”. We then join the Ashby Canal for a short way until we reach Shackerstone and the Church of St.Peter.

History of St James... www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk/sutton-cheney-church

History of St James... www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk/sutton-cheney-church

History of St James... www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk/sutton-cheney-church

“House, formerly six Alms Houses. 1612, altered early C19. Limestone, coursed and squared heightened in brick with plain tiled roof. Former paired doorways. and 2-light stone mullioned windows, the central windows grouped in closely adjoining pairs. One central doorway still in use, the others blocked, but all have 3-centred arched heads. In the brick upper storey, small 2-light casement windows. Stone coped gables corbled out and in the right hand gable wall the nesting holes of a former attached dovecote. Axial stacks. Founded by Sir William Roberts.” britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101074246-the-alms-house-sutton-cheney#.XVFMCRrTW-o