Cycling UK Lincolnshire

Date: Tuesday 2nd May until Thursday 4th May 2023 

Venue: Book Meadow Campsite (Sibbertoft) OS Grid Reference SP 6655 8296

Brook Meadow, ​The Wrongs Farm, Welford Road, Sibbertoft, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9UJ

Cost: Car+Tent from £24 per person per night. There are also options of glamping and hiring a lodge.

The site has access to many facilities: showers, toilets, washing up points and a shop.

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ALTERNATIVELY, there are several B&B's in the local area to include The Old Post House B&B in Naseby with prices from £50 per-night for single occupancy.

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ACTIVITIES

There's no requirement to do anything other than relax and enjoy the facilities and countryside.

The campsite lies just to the north of Sibbertoft, close to the Leicestershire / Northamptonshire border in the heart of the Welland Valley and close to the Grand Union Canal. The terrain is 'undulating' and similar to the Lincolnshire Wolds.

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CATERING

PLACES TO EAT

Self catering at the campsite, alternatively there's:

'The Beehive Cafe' at Mini Meadows Farm on the south side of Sulby and Welford Reservoir (open 10 am - 5pm). 2 miles away.

Cyclist friendly and great views of the reservoirs.

The Red Lion in Sibbertoft (open 5 pm-11pm Tuesday to Thursday) which is about a mile away. 

The Wharf Inn, on the outskirts of Welford (open 12 noon-10pm) and is next door to Totty's Tea Rooms (2 miles away).

Great views of the Grand Union Canal. 

The Elizabethan in Welford (open 5 pm-10pm ) and is next door to Greens Cafe (2.5 miles away)

The Bell Inn at Husbands Bosworth (3.5 miles away)

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The campsite recommends the Bulls Head at Clipston (3 miles away - but is closed on a Tuesday),

The Royal Oak in Naseby is currently closed on a Tuesday and Wednesday but there are multiple pubs and cafes in neighbouring villages and Market Harborough which is about 7 miles away.

The Baker's Arms at Thorpe Langton (8 miles away - also not open on a Tuesday).

See HERE for the full listing.

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PLACES OF INTEREST

NASEBY

There's a wealth of history nearby, perhaps best known are the Naseby Battlefield Sites. The Battle of Naseby was the key battle of the first English Civil War. On 14 June 1645, The Parliamentarian New Model Army, commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, destroyed the main Royalist army under Charles I and Prince Rupert. It's 2.5 miles to Cromwell monument with Fairfax's View of the Naseby Battlefield a little further away.

Neseby is also the source of the River Avon.

FOXTON LOCKS

The Grand Union Canal is well worth a visit and Foxton Locks (6.5 miles to the NE of the camp site) are the longest and steepest staircase locks in the UK. Refreshments are available at the Lock Keeper's Cottage Cafe.

BRAMPTON VALLEY WAY

A 16 mile linear Sustrans walking and cycle track along an disused railway line from Market Harborough to Northampton. There are several tunnels along the line and the track can be muddy at times. See HERE for details and HERE for the map.

MEDBOURNE

An attractive village best known for the traditional bottle kicking competition. (14 miles to the NE of the campsite).

LAUNDE ABBEY

One of the most picturesque spots in Leicestershire surrounded on all sides by hills. This Elizabethan manor house has extensive grounds and a rather fine cafe. (20 miles to the NE of the campsite).

ROCKINGHAM CASTLE

This motte and bailey castle dating to William the Conqueror is about 20 miles to the NE of the campsite. There's also The Barn Tea Rooms in Rockingham which has been tried and tested.

EYEBROOK RESERVOIR

About 20 miles to the NE lies Eyebrook Reservoir, a beautiful stretch of water straddling the Leicestershire/Rutland border. The reservoir was created by the damming up of the Eye Brook in 1937. During the Second World War it was used in May 1943 as a practice site for the Dambuster raids, standing in for the Möhne Reservoir including the final practice run before 'Operation Chastise'. The reservoir is a Sight of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an important site for wintering wildfowl, such as wigeon, teal, mallard and pochard. Although there's no public access, the cycle route offers spectacular views of the reservoir and Eye and Welland valley’s. 

UPPINGHAM

The attractive town of Uppingham is situated 25 miles to the NE of the campsite. Famous for its public school, Uppingham was named "best place to live in the Midlands in 2022" by The Times newspaper.

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RIDES

A number of suggested (and currently PROVISIONAL) routes and rides can be views and downloaded from the links below:

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1. BRAMPTON VALLEY (RAIL)WAY - SHORT

Route Distance 31 miles (50 km). View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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2. BRAMPTON VALLEY (RAIL)WAY - LONG

Route Distance 36 miles (58 km). View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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3. BROOK MEADOW TO FOXTON LOCKS AND NASEBY BATTLEFIELDS VIA CANAL

Route Distance 24 miles (38 km). 1040 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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4. BROOK MEADOW TO FOXTON LOCKS AND NASEBY BATTLEFIELDS VIA ROAD

Route Distance 20 miles (32 km). 980 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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5. EYEBROOK RESERVOIR CIRCUAR - SHORT

Route Distance 27 miles (43 km). 1320 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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6. BROOK MEADOW TO MEDBOURNE

Route Distance 38 miles (61 km). 1430 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

 

​7. BROOK MEADOW TO EYEBROOK VIA CANAL

Route Distance 42 miles (68 km). 1790 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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8. BROOK MEADOW TO EYEBROOK VIA ROAD

Route Distance 41 miles (66 km). 1730 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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9. BROOK MEADOW TO UPPINGHAM VIA CANAL

Route Distance 51 miles (82 km). 2460 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

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10. BROOK MEADOW TO UPPINGHAM VIA ROAD

Route Distance 49 miles (78 km). 2400 FT. View and Download the suggested route HERE (Ride With GPS)

 

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