Walk through time from before the ice age to the first farmers, and the development of civilisation. Then see what wildlife thrives in the city now and what the people of Leicester are doing to help our planet in the future.

Start point: On the pavement outside the Jewry Wall Museum & Site, St. Nicholas Circle, Leicester, LE1 4LB. Stand with the museum at your back and look towards the canal's West Bridge, on your right.

If you are rejoining the walk go to page 9.

The Roman ruins from the start point

Please note: the museum is well hidden: below the level of the road, underneath a grey/white concrete 1960s building called Vaughan College and next door to the church. Look through the black railings and you'll see the ruined walls of the Roman baths, and a standing Roman wall right next to the church.

These are in the grounds of the museum. There is a very small sign to the museum on the concrete steps from road level downwards. Stand near these to start the walk.

Contact at the museum: 0116 225 4971.

Ordnance Survey: Landranger map number 140.
Grid reference: 583 044.
Distance (approx): Part 1 = 1.25km. Part 2 = 1.5km.
Both together: 2.75km.

Time: 2 hours. This walk can be done in two one hour parts. The first hour concentrates on the settlement of Leicester, ancient rocks to be seen in the city buildings, and some city centre wildlife and mythical animals.

The second hour shows more rocks, the effect of motor cars, the future of the city, and much more wildlife along the canal side

Extra info:

For extra fun: if you are walking as a family or a group, have a competition to see who can see the most mythical creatures or pictures of creatures on buildings of the walk: look for lions, unicorns, griffons, owls and ducks, and more….

Getting there:

Walking: Walk to the Jewry Wall Museum at St Nicholas Circle.

By bus: Telephone Travel line for times and specific routes: TRAVEL LINE on 0870 608 2608.. This is a city centre location with many bus routes passing by.

By car: Drive to start point. Parking is 1: next to the Jewry Wall Museum in the Vaughan College private car park (free) off Holy Bones Road; 2: in the large NCP car park at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle; 3: in the small NCP car park at St Nicholas Place.

Walk conditions: Mostly level, city walk, along pavements or tarmac tow paths, with dropped kerbs and pedestrian traffic lights. All slopes are designed for pushchair/wheelchair use.

Refreshments: As this is a city centre walk there are many cafes, bars and shops along the way for food and drink. These are more frequent in the first half of the walk, but are available along the entire route.