Starting in Fleckney cycling along the footpaths going over the fields, passing over the canal and then through the wood. After carrying on the footpath, crossing over the road and folling the footpath still for a few miles, you end up in a beautiful area of countryside called Gumley. There are many routes to make for yourself around there and just watch the stunning scenery go by. There are hills and flat areas, farm land and land left for the wildlife. There are so many areas to take a break and watch the birds of prey that live and hunt in the local area. It's nice sometimes to take some food along and enjoy a picnic before heading home. It's a beautifully quiet part of the country and liked by walkers and cyclists. I love sitting after a ride and just enjoy the peace, relaxing in the sun when its shining. It's nice to come across people to talk to and their dogs, and the lambs in spring make it even better. The route to Gumley takes you through a lovely wood planted 11 years ago which is full of bird life, and all sorts of other wildlife now. When the trees are in full leaf it's a gorgeous place to be. The countryside on the whole route is great, and when not cycling I walk my dog there everyday.

The road where the entrance to the field is is Kibworth Road, and the footpaths are obviously signed.
Google map: bit.ly/Hlfp4C

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This is a great example of a proper pub, sitiuated on London Road in Leicester (directly opposite Victoria Park). It's an Everards house so the beer is their own range (Tiger, Beacon, Original, Sunchaser and seasonal varieties) but they do have one guest ale.
Warm and cosy in winter, with a varied clientele, it is in summer that the place comes in to its own. It has a lovely, enormous and enclosed garden at the back, with plenty of tables and grass to sit on.
On a recent visit, a new children's play area had been installed, and also a petanque court too.
It really is a lovely place to sit in the sunshine enjoying a beer.

198 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1NE
+44(0)116 2548384
Google map: bit.ly/hSyN1a

(Nearest Station: Leicester, 10 mins walk).

www.everards.co.uk/pubs/old_horse_98/

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Voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world, the Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It runs between Loughborough, Quorn, Rothley, Leicester North (Birstall) stations.

A brilliant day out, and each station is restored to reflect a different period. A good place to stop off for lunch is the the Manor House pub in Quorn (right by the station entrance).

www.gcrailway.co.uk/

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Regularly voted Leicester's CAMRA Pub of the Year, this is a fantastic real ale pub in the city centre.
Has regular beer festivals and live music, and the stonebaked pizzas that they serve (Tues-Sat only) are the best in the East Midlands (and very reasonably priced).
The range of beers is extensive and superb.
Pizza times: Tues-Sat
12-2pm & 5.30-9pm

The Criterion Free House
44 Millstone Ln, Leicester LE1 5JN
+44 (0)116 262 5418
www.criterionvenue.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/a4iAmj

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Bar Roma is a great little Italian cafe in the City Centre.

Great pasta dishes, good coffee and an authentic cafe feel. The prices are fantastic too, with some great value meal deals available in the afternoons.

Not open in the evening.

Bar Roma
11 Halford St
Leicester, LE1
0116 251 5959

(5 minutes from Leicester BR)

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Buy a cheap polyester shower curtain to sit on, it's waterproof, seats at least 3 people, rolls up small into a little poly sandwich bag and doubles as a makeshift poncho or kit cover when the rains come. Certainly made a lot of people jealous.

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Croques is a great place to stop off for a lunch in Leicester city centre.

It's situated in the heart of the Leicester lanes (just off the High Street) and serves a fine range of freshly prepared sandwiches, baguettes, melts, wraps, salads and jacket potatoes. Plenty of veggie options are available too.

The place is always busy (a good sign for any cafe/restaurant), is great value for money and is situated in one of the nicer shopping streets in the city.

19/21 Loseby Lane,
Leicester
LE1 5DR

0116 262 1101

www.croques.co.uk

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This hidden gem serves the best cooked breakfast in Leicester.

Situated upstairs at The Barley Mow pub, the welcome is always warm, the service efficient and the food unpretentious and freshly prepared.

A full English with toast and tea comes in at around £4.25 and never fails to satisfy.

Highly recommended.

(Upstairs at The Barley Mow pub)
149 Granby St
Leicester,
LE1 6FE

(2 minute walk from Leicester BR)

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I visited this diner in Leicester yesterday lunchtime and was really looking forward to it. I ordered and received my meal - the burgers were awful and tasted like a burger van burger. The burger was a chargrilled cardboard brown disc - you will not attract return visits serving burgers of such a low quality.

I then paid £1 each for two toppings - cheese and pineapple (one four pence cheese slice and one small slice of pineapple) - a topping should cover the top of the burger not just the centre of the burger.

My wife had a steak wrap! Soggy wallpaper wrapping up gristle and boiled, not fried, onions!!

The standard of food is without doubt the worst I have ever experienced.

www.tinseltown.co.uk

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It is a museum and art gallery on a beautiful pedestrianised street that goes from Victoria Park right down into the centre of town. It is free, always interesting and has a good quiet café at the back of the building too.

New Walk

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Vegetarian delight on Belgrave Road. The Thalis are always fresh and filled with seasonal simplicity. They range from spicy and tongue fizzing to more sober and flavoursome offerings.

The chapatis are superb and the dosa and parathas are very authentic. But my favourite is the lassi, always sweet, always moreish.
And I once drove from Hull and returned merely for the curry. What's more, the service is always friendly and welcoming.

Leicester, Belgrave Road

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The best vegetarian Indian restaurant in town, which is saying something. Some of the 50 or so dishes will be new to many - for starters, try mysore bonda (amazingly light fried lentil balls with coconut dips), mosar vade (lentil doughnuts in yogurt) or a tangy, crunchy bhel puri.

Highlights among the mains include dosais, aloogadde soppu (the best spinach and potato dish I've eaten), a wonderful mutter paneer and a vibrant, earthy beetroot sasami. It's cheap, too: the most expensive main dish is £5.75. Service is always friendly, helpful and relaxed.

153 Granby Street,
Leicester,
0116-255 4667
www.hallirestaurant.com

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If you come to Leicester, you can't leave without having a curry, and if you're veggie, you can't leave without visiting Bobby's. All you can eat buffet downstairs, a la carte upstairs, and a great snacks and sweets counter too. I could eat the Paneer Shashlick and Lemon rice every day and never get bored.

Bobby's, Belgrave Road, Leicester
www.eatatbobbys.com/

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This is a great festival for people who want to hear some new bands alongside old favourites. There are four stages but it's on a much smaller scale than events like Reading or Glastonbury so you don't spend the whole weekend hiking from one stage to the next. There's also an indoor stage - great when it starts to rain - and, even better, indoor toilets. This year's line-up includes the Proclaimers and Belle & Sebastian, and there are lots of up-and-coming bands too. At £75 for three days it's pretty good value for money.

www.summersundae.co.uk

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