Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>This lively market town south-west of Leicester retains it&#8217;s semi-rural sense of identity, despite being in close proximity to both Leicester and Hinckley, and it really pulls its weight in terms of amenities. Scratch beneath the rather Modernist surface and there&#8217;s no shortage of regal history here too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/07/fourwards-restaurant-leicestershire-earl-shilton-review-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutland-10-2.jpg" alt="Fourwards restaurant Earl Shilton Leicestershire" class="wp-image-60298" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/07/fourwards-restaurant-leicestershire-earl-shilton-review-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutland-10-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/07/fourwards-restaurant-leicestershire-earl-shilton-review-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutland-10-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/07/fourwards-restaurant-leicestershire-earl-shilton-review-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutland-10-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/07/fourwards-restaurant-leicestershire-earl-shilton-review-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutland-10-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fourwards Restuarant</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Muddy Award winning <a href="https://www.fourwardsrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fourwards</a> restaurant (that&#8217;s two year&#8217;s in a row, thank you very much) is at the heart of town, with dream duo Adam and Stacey Ward, heading up this incredible dining destination&nbsp;where seasonal food with a provenance is front and centre. There&#8217;s fantastic Indian food up the road at <a href="https://vasaavi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vasaavi</a>, and don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://darciemaes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darcie Mae&#8217;s</a> café, where the brownies and blondies are sensational. </p>



<p>We love the fabulous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theloquaciousbaker.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubb</a>&nbsp;in nearby Burbage for great coffee, cakes, brunch and lunch;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sycamoresburbage.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sycamores</a>&nbsp;is perfect for family dining and has a decent outdoor space if you have kids in tow. If you’re looking for something a bit different, try&nbsp;<a href="https://thebondstreetdistillery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bond Street Distillery</a>, a distillery and gin school where you can learn to make your own gin or just enjoy tasting it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>There are a couple of supermarkets in town for essentials and you can stock up on gifts and homeware at Baibridge lifestyle store, though there&#8217;s not a huge amount of choice for shopping in town. Luckily it&#8217;s 30 minutes to Leicester itself for fab shopping. Loseby Lane in the Old Town has a boutique vibe and is dotted with pretty indie shops. You can flex the plastic at the likes of SpaceNK, All Saints and Jo Malone in Highcross shopping centre or head further afield to Fosse Park where you’ll find Flannels, which is bursting with high end beauty and fashion brands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="839" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/Strong-Pilates-leicester.jpg" alt="Strong Pilates leicester" class="wp-image-53867" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/Strong-Pilates-leicester.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/Strong-Pilates-leicester-300x252.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/12/Strong-Pilates-leicester-768x644.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://sketchleygrangehotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sketchley Grange Hotel and Spa</a> is 20 mins away in Hinckley – think gym, fitness classes, swimming pool and relaxing sauna. Over in Leicester, we&#8217;re devotees of&nbsp;<a href="https://bikramyogaleicester.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bikram Yoga</a>&nbsp;on Rutland Street, which has a dedicated following who come from across the midlands to sweat it out, as well as the amazing&nbsp;<a href="https://strongpilates.co.uk/location/leicester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Strong Pilates</a>&nbsp;on King Richards Road, which combines reformer pilates with hardcore cardio workouts – definitely one to get your heart rate up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There are numerous community events that take place in town including Shilton by the Sea, the Annual Town Show, Picnic in the Park and the Christmas Lights Switch On, there&#8217;s also a skate park, cricket club, bowls, football and a youth club to name a few, so there is plenty to get involved in. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="902" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/National-space-centre-leicester-01.jpg" alt="National Space Centre Leicester" class="wp-image-41538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/National-space-centre-leicester-01.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/National-space-centre-leicester-01-300x271.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/02/National-space-centre-leicester-01-768x693.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s the remains of a Motte and Bailey castle here, with a replica gatehouse – history buffs will love. Nearby, you can spend the day exploring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitblaby.org.uk/attractions/fosse-meadows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fosse Meadows</a>, with it’s extensive paths meandering through flower meadows, woodlands and an arboretum with a fire pit. There’s also a wildlife lake, bird hides and a riverside walk that leads on to a wildlife pond, as well as a children’s play area.&nbsp;In Leicester head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kriii.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Richard III Visitor Centre</a> and kids will love&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leicester Museum and Art Gallery</a>&nbsp;where they can have fun exploring the dinosaur gallery and exhibitions, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://spacecentre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Space Centre</a>&nbsp;boasts six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest&nbsp;planetarium, a 3D SIM ride and iconic 42m high Rocket Tower.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The Cultural Quarter in Leicester is your go to. For top tier theatre,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.curveonline.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leicester Curve</a>&nbsp;has all the big hitters and cutting edge productions, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phoenix.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Phoenix</a>&nbsp;cinema and arts venue Try the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academyleicester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">O2 Academy</a>&nbsp;for big name musical acts and club nights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>There are real bargains to be had in this up and coming area in striking distance of Leicester, with average house prices hitting just £232,435, semis&nbsp;sold for an average of £227,456, detached houses £327,890, and terraced homes fetching £180,833.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/09/Stoney-Stanton.jpg" alt="Property on the market Stoney Stanton Leicester Earl Shilton" class="wp-image-61860" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/09/Stoney-Stanton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/09/Stoney-Stanton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/09/Stoney-Stanton-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In the neighbouring village of Stoney Stanton, The Old Rectory is a stunning Grade II listed, 6-bed home. <a href="https://www.fishergerman.co.uk/residential-property-sales/house-for-sale-in-nock-verges-the-old-rectory-stoney-stanton-leicestershire-le9/48942" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £1.5m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.handprintsdaynursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handprints Day Nursery</a> right here in town is rated Good by Ofsted inspectors and offers places from infancy to school age, or try <a href="https://theoldrectorynursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Rectory Nursery</a>, Ofsted rated Good, taking babies from 6 wks up to 8 yrs of age, or <a href="https://www.lyntonchildcare.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lynton Childcare</a>, which takes up to a maximum of 18 children from ages 3 mths – 11 yrs and is also rated Good by Ofsted &#8211; both in nearby Barwell. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Thinking about schools? There are no fewer than four state primary schools in town (<a href="https://www.stsimonandstjude.leics.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Simon and St. Jude</a>, <a href="https://www.townlandsprimary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Townlands</a>, <a href="https://www.newlands.leics.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newlands</a> and <a href="https://stpetersprimary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Peter&#8217;s</a>) as well as the secondary school&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heathlaneacademy.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heath Lane Academy</a> in the north of the town, and if you’re looking at independent options&nbsp;<a href="https://twycrosshouseschool.org.uk/the-hollies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hollies</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twycrosshouseschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twycross House</a>&nbsp;offer an all-through option for ages 4 – 18 yrs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>King Richard III is said to have camped just outside Earl Shilton before he met his somewhat traumatic end at the fateful Battle of Bosworth. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The M1 and M69 are both within striking distance and, 5 miles away, Hinckley train station has direct services to Leicester and Birmingham. </p>



<p><em>View the full </em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Top 260 Places to Live</em></a><em>.</em></p>


Earl Shilton

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