Swithland Wood - Detail
Where to start
Quorn Great Central Railway station. If the gate is locked, or you are likely to return after the railway has closed, park in the approach road.
Route
Come out of the station and turn right down Chaveney Road. Where the main road bears left turn right into Buddon Lane. Continue to the end of the road and follow the bridleway through the field into the avenue of trees. This section can get very muddy after rain as it gets little sunlight to dry it out. Follow the path to the end where it turns right under the CGR railway line and then uphill along the side of the field (another potentially very muddy section). At the T junction after 1/2 km turn right, then bear left, avoiding Vicary Lane. Keep going until you approach Rushey Fields Farm. Turn left into the field and then, after 200m, right up the hill beside the hedge. This can be quite a slog, despite being a relatively gently gradient as it is a very rough surface that is often quite muddy.
At the top cross straight over the farm road and continue alongside the field, descending slightly. Follow the bridle path across the stream, then left and right and up again at the side of the field. After 3/4 km this turns into a hard core track that brings you out on Main Street, Swithland Village. The Griffin pub is 500m to the left.
To continue the ride turn left and then immediately right into Leicester Lane. Follow this for 0.9km and take the bridle path on the right where the Lane bears slightly left. This Path passes Cropston Leys and then enters Swithland Woods. The Woods are popular with walkers and paths where cycling is permitted are clearly marked with yellow posts. Please keep to them! The recommended route continues on the bridle path up the slope to the quarry then turns right for a good downhill hack through the trees, emerging on the road at the north end of the woods. However, there are other designated routes through the woods that are worth exploring if you want a longer ride.
Whichever route you take through the woods, come out at the north end and turn right on the road. Come down to the junction signposted Woodhouse left and Swithland right. Turn left and stay on the main (the term is relative!) road for just under 1km. Turn right into the lane marked "unsuitable for motor vehicles" and after 800m you will be back to where you came up the field. Turn left and retrace your steps down the field, along the lane and down the field to the railway line. You can now follow the bridle path back to Buddon Lane, Chaveney Road and a well-deserved pint in the Manor House!
Longer alternative route (adds another 9km)
On your return leg stay on the road (don't turn in at the farm track marked "Unsuitable for motors") and you will come to a main road at Woodhouse church. Join the "Outwoods via Loughborough and Quorn" route by turning left towards Woodhouse Eaves.