Polmar one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Polmar here.

Fundamentally a sound route that needs a few tweaks to make following it as easy a possible so see Polmar-2. There could be cattle and horses plus mud and invisible paths because these are in places not well used. Some services along the route but mostly inns in the centre so may not be open when you pass.

I walked from Polesworth starting along a roadside pavement. After crossing the railway line I looked out for but missed the unsigned footpath, with a short backtrack I found overgrown steps up the bank to a gate. The path had been made available across the cropped field and the increased elevation offered good views of the village and countryside. Not the best of paths.

Crossing a road a gate leads onto the next path through the edge of a large garden and our path is used to dispose of the vast amount of grass cuttings. Crossing a private track the path should continue across paddocks but it has been illegally fenced along the field edge by the road so offers no short cut and is badly overgrown, I abandoned this and used the pavement which safely links Polesworth to Warton.

Warton has a shop and inn that may be of use approaching Polesworth. The next section of path is an improvement and soon leads to the border into Leicestershire. Here we encounter a large ploughed field and no sign of a path. Fortunately it’s crop free so keeping a close eye on the plotted line I find the correct point to cross the road. From here the path is cleared through the standing crop.

The path enters a private garden which may be off putting in the opposite direction although a sign offers direction and assurance. We don’t enter Orton where an inn is available off route. The footpath used from here is well signed with yellow topped posts but I had considered the parallel lane and regretted sticking to the plotted route which was overgrown with nettles (not nice in shorts) and cropped. See Polmar-2.

The bridleway starts well with a trampled path along Green Lane, an old uncultivated route. After crossing a rutted muddy lane we again meet a large field and the bridleway route vanishes under the plough. The crossing footpath is also invisible only the plot and GPS will show us where to turn. Back along the woodland edge our route is better defined and some yellow topped posts will assist. The old Tithe Barn looks nothing from the path but see http://www.greatbarns.org.uk/newhouse_grange_barn.html which says “it is surrounded by modern farm buildings, so it is difficult to get a view of the outside, but the interior is magnificent”. The site offers a picture. New House Grange no longer complies with the name.

We meet another ORPA (Other Route with Public Access) but it’s best to stick with the footpath along the visible track. As the track turns our path enters and crosses a cropped field but locals walk around the edge so there is no path along the plotted route as we enter Sheepy Magna at the church.

Half way and there is an inn here. Pressing on to Sheepy Parva there is also a posh restaurant by the old mill pond. The path to Sibson is through pasture so there could be horses and cattle and in places mud and rough ground but I enjoyed this path with some fields yellow with buttercups. Sibson offers a hotel and perhaps soon a timber framed inn that was closed awaiting refurbishment as I passed.

Another large field but the path was evident and clear if a little off line. It appeared to pass between two tall round storage tanks at The Valley Farm but the cleared route took us around them. The next cross field path was unavailable but a mown path offers a good alternative. Crossing a minor road we enter another large field with undefined path so follow the plot to locate a short yellow post then continue to a humped bridge over the Ashby canal.

Far Coton Farm offers some attractive buildings then a short dog leg along the road then across a paddock to meet a road at the crossing of the Battlefield Heritage Railway line. As we approach journeys end the path is well walked so even off line it’s easy to follow. A few estate roads lead to the to the attractive town centre which has all services and buses to Leicester.

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