Melbourne Circular Walk

Alight from the bus at the prominent market place in the centre of Melbourne, and walk in a south-easterly direction along Church Street, signposted to Melbourne Hall and Parish Church. When you reach the entrance to Melbourne Hall on your right after approx 350m, turn right and follow the road to the Pool, passing Melbourne Parish Church and war memorial to your right.

The road bears left and passes in front of Melbourne Hall, a striking manor house that dates from the 1600s and was once the home of William Lamb, British Prime Minister from 1835 to 1841. Follow the road around the beautiful Pool.

After leaving the Pool behind, follow the road as it bears left (ignore the gate that leads straight on) and becomes a dirt track. At the end of the track, go through the gate and continue straight on, following a footpath through a field at Park Farm. There are fences to both sides of the path. At the end of the path go through a wide gate, and then follow the path diagonally right across the field ahead.

At the top right corner of the field, go over a stile, cross straight on over a track, and take the footpath directly ahead. Continue straight on, walking with a hedge to your right and a wide field to your left. When you reach the end of the field, go through a gap in the hedge to emerge onto a quiet lane, Green Lane. Turn right on the lane.

Ignore footpaths off and follow Green Lane for approx 200 metres. At this point the lane forks, with the right hand fork becoming a private road. Take the left hand fork and follow the bridleway that bears right and follows a line of fencing.

Follow the wide bridleway heading roughly straight on, through fields and a wooded area, for approx 1.5kms, looking out for the wooden marker posts to guide the way. After a short dog-leg section the path emerges onto a quiet lane, Burney Lane. Turn right on Burney Lane and walk for approx 1km, ignoring footpaths off, until the lane reaches a T-junction with the B587.

Turn left on the B587 and walk with care along this relatively busy road. After less than 100m, turn right onto a quieter road, following signs to Calke. Please be aware that there are stretches on this road with no pavements, although it has wide verges. After approx 1.4kms take the road on the right signposted to Calke Village.

Follow this quiet road past pretty cottages for approx 300m, and then take the wide driveway on the left to Calke Abbey.

Follow this driveway through Calke Park for approx 1km, passing the beautiful church of St Giles, with Calke Abbey eventually visible to your right. Calke Abbey is actually a magnificent Baroque mansion dating back to 1701 and stands on the site of a 12th Century priory. It is now owned by the National Trust. There are toilets and a restaurant here (no admission fee) if you need a break.

Continue straight on past the Calke Abbey buildings and enter the car park. Cross the car park diagonally right and look out for a footpath which leads down a set of curving steps to walk through trees. At the bottom of the steps turn right and follow the clear path beside the tranquil Mere Pond to your left.

Follow this path for approx 500m, with a high deer fence to your right. Ignore all footpaths off and stay on the main path beside the fence. At a T-junction of paths marked with an information board about Calke Abbey, turn left. Very soon after, look out for a footpath through a wooden gate on your right.

Go through the gate and turn immediately left to follow a clear path. Cross over a stile and follow the path which bears right through a field. Cross over a double stile with a narrow track between and continue straight on through the next field. When you reach a hedge, follow the path as it bears right around the field edge, and then leads downhill with trees to your left and open views to your right.

After approx 100m, look out for a large ash tree on the right of the path and take the path immediately before the tree that leads to the right across the field. At the bottom of the field the path crosses a stream over a little wooden footbridge. Go over the footbridge into another field and head diagonally right uphill, following the clear path.

At the top of the hill the path meets a quiet lane, Broadstone Lane. Turn right on Broadstone Lane and follow it downhill for approx 200m. At a T-junction at the bottom, turn left and go through a wide gate to follow a broad track alongside Staunton Harold Reservoir.

Follow this broad track for approx 1.2kms, with beautiful views over the water to your right. Ignore all footpaths off and stay on the main track. On reaching the car park, head diagonally right in the direction of the café building and toilets, ideal for a break if needed. Go past the café on your right and head towards the Windmill visible on a hill ahead. Turn right before the windmill and follow the quiet road out of the park.

At a T-junction with the B587 after approx 500m, turn left and follow this road leading back into Melbourne. After approx 200m, take the footpath in the hedge on your right through a kissing gate. Follow the clear path across fields, through two further kissing gates, to finally emerge onto Penn Lane in Melbourne. Turn right on Penn Lane and then take the first left onto Salsbury Lane. At the end of Salsbury Lane, turn left and continue straight on to find the Market Place and the start of your walk ahead of you.