This ‘Runseeing’ tour of Leicester has a nice variety: key sites in the historic City Centre, mainly on pedestrianized streets; New Walk; Victoria Park & Leicester University; and Leicester Castle & Castle Gardens.
Leicester Cathedral. Creative Commons
Start at the Clock Tower, an iconic spot and popular meeting place for locals. Run west toward the river on High Street/Silver St., which has a pedestrian-only zone. You’ll pass the impressive medieval Leicester Cathedral and Jubilee Square. Use Hotel St./Market St. south to connect to New Walk (originally Queen’s Walk), a tree-shaded pedestrian way laid out in 1785 that links Welford Place with Victoria Park. The park features a well-maintained, ~1 mile loop, plus additional paths.
Gate to Leicester Castle
Exit the north end of Victoria Park through the War Memorial arch, heading north on Lancaster Rd. past the University of Leicester (additional paths on its grounds), Nelson Mandela Park, skirting the historic Royal Infirmary on Grange Ln. This runs into Castle Way, a cobblestoned street that leads to Turret Gateway and the 11th-century Leicester Castle. Run north through the Castle Gardens. It’s a bit tricky at the north end around the St. Nicholas Cir. traffic tangle, but you can make your way to High St./Silver St.
Add-Ons: From Castle Gardens, take the path on the west side of the River Soar to Soar Ln. and connect to The Rally/Stokeswood Park, which has paths through a pleasant green space & meadows. At Soar Ln., you can also branch onto the Grand Union Canal Path to access historic Abbey Park.
This ‘Runseeing’ tour of Leicester has a nice variety: key sites in the historic City Centre, mainly on pedestrianized streets; New Walk; Victoria Park & Leicester University; and Leicester Castle & Castle Gardens.
Leicester Cathedral. Creative Commons
Start at the Clock Tower, an iconic spot and popular meeting place for locals. Run west toward the river on High Street/Silver St., which has a pedestrian-only zone. You’ll pass the impressive medieval Leicester Cathedral and Jubilee Square. Use Hotel St./Market St. south to connect to New Walk (originally Queen’s Walk), a tree-shaded pedestrian way laid out in 1785 that links Welford Place with Victoria Park. The park features a well-maintained, ~1 mile loop, plus additional paths.
Gate to Leicester Castle
Exit the north end of Victoria Park through the War Memorial arch, heading north on Lancaster Rd. past the University of Leicester (additional paths on its grounds), Nelson Mandela Park, skirting the historic Royal Infirmary on Grange Ln. This runs into Castle Way, a cobblestoned street that leads to Turret Gateway and the 11th-century Leicester Castle. Run north through the Castle Gardens. It’s a bit tricky at the north end around the St. Nicholas Cir. traffic tangle, but you can make your way to High St./Silver St.
Add-Ons: From Castle Gardens, take the path on the west side of the River Soar to Soar Ln. and connect to The Rally/Stokeswood Park, which has paths through a pleasant green space & meadows. At Soar Ln., you can also branch onto the Grand Union Canal Path to access historic Abbey Park.
There are miles of scenic paths along the Soar River in Leicester. We've mapped north & south sections from the City Centre, and also recommend a loop around the lovely Victorian-era Abbey Park.
One of our favorite runs in Leicester. Several miles of paths around lakes, wetlands, and meadows in this preserve of that has abundant wildlife and 200 species of birds. Part of the northern section of River Soar paths.
Aylestone Meadows, Leicester's largest nature preserve, has been a recreation destination for more than 100 years. It's a mosaic of pastures, trees, river margins and small ponds, criss-crossed by several miles of paths.
Some nice park running in western Leicester. A highlight is Braunstone Park, a 168-acre open space with formal gardens, 2 lakes, jogging paths with gym equipment. Combine with Western Park. Just west is Western Park Golf Course, a large open space with footpaths.
Very scenic running a few miles northwest of Leicester. Bradgate Park features several miles of trails through a rugged, hilly countryside, with an open landscape & great views. There's also a 1.75 mile paved path. Adjacent Swithland Wood features wooded trails.
The Great Central Way is a paved multi-use path that follows an old rail line from the City Centre south to Glen Parma in the Soar Valley. It's not always the most scenic run, but it's a good opportunity to clock some easy, flat off-road miles.
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