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HIKERS CAN VISIT DICK TURPIN PUB

HISTORY fans and keen walkers have a new 42-mile route to try out, which connects Bosworth Battlefield to other historic sites in south west Leicestershire.

The Battlefields and Borderlands Way has been created by two guides at the battlefield, to take hikers to famous spots such as the land near Wellsborough once owned by Lady Godiva’s husband and the Sibson pub connected to highwayman Dick Turpin.

The route also passes through Cadeby, several deserted villages from the medieval era, and past the Mallory Park motor racing circuit.

It received its name as the walk explores the border between the East and West Midlands, with its westernmost point in Kirkby Mallory, where computing pioneer Ada Lovelace was raised.

Michael Dix, one of the co-creators, said: “It’s been a labour of love, we have not done it to make money.

“We love the area, we love the history of the area, we wanted to share that with people.

“We gave out a number of complimentary copies to family and friends and people who helped us.”

A 140-page guidebook has been put together to mark the key points on the route, including the point where the Battle of Bosworth is thought to have taken place, between Stoke Golding and Higham on the Hill.

The key skirmish was the final major conflict of the War of the Roses, marking the end of the Plantagenet kings, with the death of King Richard III, and the start of the Tudor dynasty.

Walkers taking the route will also pass through Sibson, which is famous for The Cock Inn, a pub dating back 750 years where Dick Turpin is said to have hidden from the authorities.

The guidebook came out just before Christmas 2020 and has sold 1,000 copies, and is available at the visitor’s centre at Bosworth Battlefield.

The walk has also been accepted by the Long Distance Walking Association and it now features on the group’s website.