Leicester Riverside

Just a short walk from Leicester’s vibrant city centre is the meandering River Soar. The river boasts beautiful scenery and wildlife and was once the most profitable commercial navigation route in Britain.

Today, the river extends for up to 28 miles through Leicestershire and is the perfect setting for recreational activities. It’s a breath of fresh air, revealing Leicester’s diverse landscape in the heart of the city. It is also a key wildlife spot; travel along the riverside paths and you might be lucky enough to spot otters making their homes in the area.

The riverside cycle ways and footpaths provide important links across the city and beyond, forming the backbone of the National Cycle Network route 6 and providing traffic-free and quiet on-road cycling and walking routes across the county.

There’s lots of fun to be had exploring the canal route. The waterways flow by Abbey Park, Aylestone Meadows, Castle Gardens, Watermead Park and landmarks such as Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium, the King Richard III Visitor Centre, the National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station. Along the route are a number of pubs and cafés which are an ideal way to stop and appreciate the peaceful beauty of the area.