Kegworth: Cultural History and Walks Along the River Soar

Kegworth combines an accessible local history with walks along the River Soar. Those looking for a mixture of culture and activity during their stay can include historic buildings, local artefacts, and two differently described riverside routes in their travel plans. This makes the village interesting for travel groups with different preferences: while some want to learn more about Kegworth’s past, others can enjoy the paths beside the water and through open countryside.

Historical Insights in the Village

A good starting point for exploring the local history is the Kegworth Heritage Centre. Local and historical artefacts are displayed there. The Robert Williams Collection includes around 200 objects, including Roman and medieval coins, jewellery, and other archaeological finds. The Heritage Centre was recently reopened in a refurbished form after being closed for a period because of essential and extensive building work. This gives it a specific point of interest for anyone wishing to get to know Kegworth not only as a place to stay, but also through its history.

The Church of St Andrew also reflects several historical periods. The lower part of its tower dates from the 13th century; the church also has a clerestory dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Another notable stop is The Great House, which dates from 1698 and was built for the Sutton family. The building is a listed Grade II property. The Old Rectory adds to this historic impression as a former Grade II listed vicarage, probably dating from the mid-18th century.

Walks Along the River Soar

Two described routes are available for a more active part of the day. The River Soar walk follows Side Ley Road for 0.5 miles and then crosses a bridge to a scenic riverside walking route. The Red Hill Marina walk also runs along the River Soar, crosses a footbridge, and continues into large open fields. The information about the route and surroundings helps you choose your preferred focus: one path combines a section along the road with the riverbank, while the other focuses on the transition into open countryside.

A bridge has crossed the River Soar at this point since around 1315. This detail connects today’s riverside landscape with the village’s long history, without culture and walking having to become a single experience. You can therefore treat the historic sites and walking routes as separate parts of your day’s plans, or combine both if your travel group has different interests.

The Right Accommodation for Your Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Kegworth, it is worth deciding first on your preferred daily routine. For a stay in which walks take up more of the day, the described River Soar routes provide another important point of reference.

Kegworth is therefore particularly suitable as a destination for anyone who does not want to experience local history separately from the landscape. The approximately 200 objects in the Robert Williams Collection, the architectural history of the Church of St Andrew, The Great House, and The Old Rectory, as well as the routes along the River Soar, offer several starting points for varied travel planning. Further destinations for your research include Loughborough, Kirkby Mallory, Croxton Kerrial, Rothley, Sibson, Hathern, Buckminster and Narborough.

For the broader travel overview: Leicestershire.