Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

Today, Amigo Mick and I enjoyed an 8-mile circular walk from the hamlet of Cotes (near Loughborough). We would pass through Hoton, Prestwold, Burton-on-the-Wolds before arriving back in Cotes.

We were both eagerly anticipating the walk in what would be new area for us. Although the temperature has dropped it didn’t take too long before the sun had warmed the air.

After parking in Back Lane, we set off along a road which was quite busy with morning commuter traffic. Soon we were heading along tracks and fields enjoying nice distant views. A friendly farmer, tilling his field in a tractor, gave us a wave.

We passed a field where the stubble was nicely patterned. Its funny the things that catch your eye.

In the distance we passed the Stanford Hall Estate which contains the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre – a plane inbound to East Midlands Airport passed over the large building as I took my photo.

We arrived into Hoton, passing the attractive Packe Arms Pub, then down a lane with some nice white terraced cottages.

Continuing on we passed through a short wooded section to reach St Andrews church in Prestwold. Here we took a break taking advantage of a bench in the churchyard.

After our stop it was a very short walk into the Prestwold Hall parkland. The grand house soon became visible.

The Hall is used as a wedding venue and to hold corporate events https://prestwold-hall.com/

We were passing the rear of the hall so I found a photo online that gives a better idea of the size of the hall.

We passed through the open parkland and immediately after leaving, and heading for Burton-on-the-Wolds, we skirted a building site with a large drainage pond! It was most unexpected. Such a contrast to the stately majesty of Prestwold park.

The village contained an impressive wooden owl sculpture that caught our attention.

Leaving the village we entered fields once again, passing some very curious cows in an adjacent field.

Another surprise on the walk was passing Prestwold Natural Burial Ground – we noticed that it had quite a lot benches around the circumference.

A couple of horse riders stopped for a chat and before long we were walking into Cotes. It had been an enjoyable little walk.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶