Εύκολες πεζοπορίες και βόλτες Ratby

The church of St Philip and St James, built in the lancet style by George Harry Grey, the seventh Earl of Stamford, dates from 1840 and stands on the site of Groby Castle. The architect was William Railton. Few remains are left of the castle, other than a slight rise in ground to the east of the main church building, and the manor house (Groby Old Hall), the stone-built parts of which are thought to have been part of the castle’s outer buildings.

No bluebells at this time of year but still pretty meadows and woodland paths.

The building across the water, Pool House, is a Grade II listed building.

The first recorded reference to Groby Pool was in 1295, and there is evidence of a mill associated with Groby Pool from that time until the 1900s. The last was a saw mill in Sheet Hedges Wood.

The Old Post Office Tearooms, is next to the entrance to Bradgate Park, the start and end point of the Leicestershire Round long distance walking route. Once the Village Shop, Café, and Post Office, it transformed into a family-run tearoom offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and handmade cakes. It’s an excellent way to mark the end of the Leicestershire Round, but bear in mind it closes at 4pm. Dogs are very welcome, and there is outside seating. There’s also a takeout counter should you wish to start your walk with a coffee in hand!

The church dates from the 15th century and consists of a west tower with small recessed spire, nave, north aisle, north trancept, south porch, chancel, organ chamber and vestry. The north trancept dates from late in the 15th century and is separated from the nave by an arch. The north aisle and chancel were built by Roberts & Simpson in 1894-95. The vestry and organ chamber were added in 1915. The church is rather quaint and has white washed walls and some other items of interest. The altar woodwork and paneling is very fine and added in 1915.

Groby Pool is believed to be the largest natural expanse of open water in Leicestershire, covering 38 acres. The unusual combination of habitats includes woodland, wet and dry grassland, marsh, reed swamp and open water, supporting a wide range of water fowl and animals.

lovely gravel path, shame about all the gates