Discover Rutland – Heritage Trail 4 – Mills, quarries and railways

As the road veers to the right, look out for a bridleway to our left. If you have time, you may wish to make a detour to visit Pilton village, about 600 yards further on. Otherwise, we follow the bridleway past a brick building on our right, carrying straight through a gateway with the field boundary to our left and a wooded area to our right.

Follow the bridleway, climbing slightly uphill. On this part of our walk we can pause for a moment and look to our left for clear views of North Luffenham and its church spire. This wide green lane leads to North Luffenham Road.

Cross the road and continue on the bridleway straight ahead. After a short distance there is a gate and stile to the right. We need to go over the stile and keep to the unploughed strip on the left, following on to the end of the field. Here we cross another stile and continue on the grass pathway through the middle of this final field.

The bridleway emerges in South Luffenham where we turn right and follow the road into the centre of the village. Once over the railway bridge, follow the road to the left (Angle Lane) round to the Square. Take the tarmac pathway ahead. It leads across a field and over the stream to the east side of the village, emerging opposite a small green and the parish church of St. Mary. Turn left and follow the road round past the Boot Inn.

At a fork in the road, we’re taking the left hand route, passing the Old School House on our right. Soon after this take the tarmac path to the left, passing a large pond, to reach Pinfold Lane. Opposite, a wooden gate leads to a footpath across the fields

Cross the field, heading to our left until we reach a gate. Go through this and walk along a narrow hedged track, the line of the old disused railway, which opens out as we reach the modern line and Station Road. To our right are the remains of a disused windmill and as you turn left to follow Station Road over the level crossing, we will pass the old train station to the left and Old Mill Farm, a 19th century watermill.

Cross the bridge and follow the road past a row of brick cottages and the sewage works. After about 1⁄2 mile you will see the village sign for North Luffenham which takes us back to where we began.