A haven for hikers, wildlife watchers and history buffs, the Welland Valley has often been described as one of Leicester's best kept secrets. Take a look at Tim Relf's guide to the area.
- “I walked through the heart of England and found a lost world straight out of storybooks” – journey through the Welland Valley
- Discover Rutland, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire
- Belvoir Castle walk, Lincolnshire/Leicestershire
Where to stay
The Nevill Arms, Medbourne
A historic country hotel and pub nestling beside a brook in Medbourne. With its 10 boutique bedrooms, it feels like a hybrid of stylish hotel and traditional village hostelry. One of the delights is the menu, with a focus on local ingredients. On warm summer afternoons and evenings, you can eat outside in the Josper bar and grill, surrounded by the courtyard garden’s flowers and ancient olive trees.
The Three Swans, Market Harborough
This is a hotel and wedding venue in the centre of Market Harborough with a restaurant, bar, meeting and function space. A haven for travellers for at least 500 years, now it has nearly 60 bedrooms and is recognisable by its large, ornate sign that combines elements of Georgian wrought iron work and an earlier gallows-style structure.
1 Barnsdale, Great Easton
This holiday cottage is an ideal place for groups of up to 12, with ample living and outdoor space and a self-contained double bedroom annex. There’s good walking right from the door and it’s near Eyebrook Reservoir, which is a popular destination for birders.
Where to visit
Harborough Museum, Market Harborough
One of the most important Iron Age discoveries in Britain was made in 2000 at Hallaton. Unearthed by local metal detectorists, the ‘Hallaton Hoard’ included 5,000 gold and silver Iron Age and Roman coins, a silver-gilt Roman helmet that would have been worn by an officer of high status, a unique silver bowl, ingots and animal bones. Buried at a ritual site around the time of the Roman conquest in the mid-first century CE, you can see this collection at Harborough Museum.
Historic market, Uppingham
If your starting point is Medbourne, it’s a lovely drive on the B664 to the market town of Uppingham in Rutland. Uppingham gained its Market Charter in 1281 and now hosts a weekly Friday market. Also, once a year, farmers show off their best animals at the ‘Fatstock’ show, with the livestock penned in the market square.
Where to eat and drink
The Sun Inn, Great Easton
Wellies and muddy paws are welcome, but this place has also carved out a reputation as a great dining pub, famed for the beef, lamb and pork produced in its own farm just up the road. At the heart of the farm is a herd of Belted Galloway cattle – a traditional breed that produces flavoursome meat.
Tollemache Arms, Harrington
‘The Tolly’ is a 17th-century pub that was taken over by the present owners in 2015; they set out to create “the place for every occasion”. Since then it has won food and drink awards and even launched its own music festival in the summer called ‘Tollyfest’.
Hambleton Bakery, Market Harborough
This popular shop specialises in artisan bread and pastries with the “best ingredients, no additives and traditional recipes”. It’s co-owned by 10th-generation baker Julian Carter and restaurateur Tim Hart. Julian began his career in the family bakery in Liverpool and cooked for John Major when he was Prime Minister. Tim founded Michelin-starred restaurant Hambleton Hall in 1980.
Main image: View towards the Welland Valley viaduct / Credit: Getty
More UK travel inspiration
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- Guide to Scotland's North-West Highlands: where to stay, places to visit and great walks
- Guide to Assynt in north-west Scotland: where to stay, places to visit and great walks
- Guide to Anglesey: best places to visit and coastal walks
All places were chosen independently by our editorial team. This article contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.