Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-002.jpg" alt="Woman running on woodland trail parkrun" class="wp-image-62985" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-002.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-002-240x300.jpg 240w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-002-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-002-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for motivation in your fitness journey, or hoping to connect with like-minded people, <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parkrun</a> &#8211; a free community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate &#8211; might just be the ideal solution. You don&#8217;t have to fork out a shedload of cash each month and it&#8217;s open to everyone, from four year-old kids to Olympic athletes, with Junior parkruns operating in many locations too. </p>



<p>Some people love it (apparently), but running alone can be a miserable slog, and if you don&#8217;t fancy it because it&#8217;s too windy, you had too much wine the night before, or your duvet is just far to cosy, it&#8217;s easy to bail on yourself. The great thing about parkrun is that it can help you to feel part of something and you&#8217;re potentially more likely to get yourself out there and feel accountable. There&#8217;s a certain satisfaction in seeing where you rank in your age group in terms of speed, if that&#8217;s your thing, but it&#8217;s categorically not what it&#8217;s all about. In fact lots of people walk the five kilometre course or do a mix of jogging and walking on their nine o&#8217;clock Saturday morning soujourn. </p>



<p>If you fancy giving it a whirl, you just <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">register online</a> and download your unique, printable barcode (you can also buy a wristband or card with your barcode on if you prefer), so you can scan at the start and end of each run and get your time. There are currently 1,369 parkrun events around the country taking place every weekend, with more locations being added all of the time, so you can even join if you&#8217;re away from home and there&#8217;s one nearby. </p>



<p>Want to find your local route? Read on </p>



<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/26/2025/11/parkrun-003.jpg" alt="Woman runner fitness view countryside" class="wp-image-62987" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-003.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-003-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-003-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leicestershire-amp-rutland">LEICESTERSHIRE &amp; RUTLAND</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conkers-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conkers/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conkers Park</a></h2>



<p>Conkers parkrun is in the National Forest and the slightly undulating route takes you out on the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail on what was once home to the Ashby &amp; Nuneaton Joint Railway and through Donisthorpe Woodlands Park that has been created from the regeneration of the site of Donisthorpe Colliery. &nbsp;Head to the Canalside Cafe for a coffee and chat after your run.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watermead-country-park-syston"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/watermeadcountrypark/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watermead Country Park</a>, Syston</h2>



<p>A waterside route lapping John Merricks Lake, along the path bordering the picnic field over the small wooden bridge and then two laps of King Lears Lake. &nbsp;Post-parkrun coffee at The Hobby Horse or the Bada Bean mobile coffee and snack van on site. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belvoir-castle-nr-grantham"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/belvoircastle/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belvoir Castle</a>, Nr. Grantham</h2>



<p>This stunning one lap course is held entirely within the historic Belvoir Castle grounds and follows a fully tarmacked route all the way round. As the course is held on a private estate there is no access for spectators, but it&#8217;s a fantastic course for runners. After your run you can head to Vale View Café, where you can get 10% discount with your barcode. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melton-country-park-melton-mowbray"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/meltonmowbray/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melton Country Park</a>, Melton Mowbray</h2>



<p>&nbsp;An out-and-back course around the stunning Melton Country Park over an undulating course on a mix of tarmac and dirt paths. The finish is a short uphill through a small forest section ending, conveniently next to the Visitors Centre Café, where you can head for a post run refuel with your fellow participants. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dishley-loughborough"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dishleyloughborough/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dishley</a>, Loughborough</h2>



<p>A flat, rural course consisting of grass, earth and gravel paths, which can have some muddy areas especially after rain. Trail Shoes are recommended following a period of persistent rainfall.&nbsp;Loughborough Rugby Club is where to head for a coffee and catch-up after your run. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sence-valley-forest-park-ibstock"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/sencevalleyforestpark/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sence Valley Forest Park</a>, Ibstock</h2>



<p>Two laps on gravel paths alongside lakes and through woods. The start and finish is a 5 minute walk from the car park (charge applies) and the course is suitable for pushchairs all year round. The nearby Little Bluebird cafe is open all year for a post run refuel. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-market-bosworth-country-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/marketbosworthcountrypark/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Market Bosworth Country Park</a></h2>



<p>Two clockwise laps of the country park, taking in fields, woodland, Stew Ponds and Bow Pool. The course may be uneven in places with tree roots, leaves, puddles and other obstructions, so take care en route. The Camperccino mobile coffee van is on site most Saturday mornings for a post-run refresher. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-004.jpg" alt="Woman running outdoor uphill" class="wp-image-62989" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-004.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-004-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-004-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-004-768x1152.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beacon-hill-country-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/beaconhillcountrypark/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beacon Hill Country Park</a></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a hilly one, obvs, but well worth it for the panoramic views across the Trent Valley to the Peak District beyond and across the Soar Valley. Gather afterwards to get your breath back at Beacon Hill café. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abbey-park-leicester"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/abbeypark/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbey Park</a>, Leicester</h2>



<p>&nbsp;All on tarmac paths so all-weather friendly. You start and finish at the boating lake in the centre of the park, and pass by the river, ornamental gardens, cricket oval and ruins, boating lake and pavilion. Grab your post-parkrun coffee at Peppercorns at the Pavillion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-victoria-park-leicester"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/leicestervictoria/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria Park</a>, Leicester</h2>



<p>This is a 3 and a bit lap course starting and finishing on the main perimeter path in Victoria Park, between the University and the War Memorial. Coffees after the run are at the David Wilson Library cafe on Leicester University campus &#8211; term time only. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-braunstone-leicester"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/braunstone/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Braunstone</a>, Leicester</h2>



<p>There are a couple of grassy sections on the route, which might be prone to mud at certain times of year, but most&nbsp;of the route is run on paths within the park and it&#8217;s a nice, varied route. There&#8217;s&nbsp;a coffee van by the finish area where you can get a drink to warm up or cool down, and you can also grab a post parkrun coffee at the Braunstone Leisure Centre Café. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hastings-high-school-burbage"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/hastingshighschool/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hastings High School</a>, Burbage</h2>



<p>A flat, mainly cross country course around the perimeter of the school field for one lap and then for the subsequent three laps the entire school site. Grab your coffee refuel at Hastings High School Café.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-welland-park-market-harborough"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/marketharborough/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welland Park</a>, Market Harborough</h2>



<p>Market Harborough parkrun boasts a wooden carved map of the course &#8211; what every parkrunner needs. The course consists of an &#8216;out&#8217; section up to the stones outside the children&#8217;s playground followed by a loop of the park that is repeated three times and a final straight section to the finish. The Café at Welland Park is where parkrunners ten to gather for a refuel and debrief. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rutland-water"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/rutlandwater/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Water</a></h2>



<p>A 2.5km out and back course, starting and finishing in front of the stunning Normanton Church on the edge of the reservoir with post-parkrun coffees at the Waterside Café. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/Park-Run-001.jpg" alt="Park run women running in woods" class="wp-image-62978" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/Park-Run-001.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/Park-Run-001-300x240.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/Park-Run-001-768x614.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northamptonshire">NORTHAMPTONSHIRE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sixfields-upton-northampton"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/sixfieldsupton/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sixfields Upton</a>, Northampton</h2>



<p>A mixed terrain pathway toward the river and through farm gates, continuing through a working farm and back through parkland.&nbsp;Post-parkrun coffees at the Elgar Centre, supporting the local charity the Lewis Foundation. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-university-of-northampton"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/universityofnorthampton/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Northampton</a></h2>



<p>Decent hard, flat surfaces for running most of the route, which starts by the Senate building, goes through the campus then over the footbridge to Becket’s Park for 3 laps of the park. Post-parkrun coffee at the café in the Senate building or Illicit Café (formally The Outpost Café).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northampton-racecourse"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/northampton/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northampton Racecourse</a></h2>



<p>The course follows the perimeter tarmac paths of the park, so decent underfoot, and consists of two laps, the first taking in almost a full loop of the park. Post-parkrun coffees at the fabulous Good Loaf. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brixworth-country-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/brixworthcountry/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brixworth Country Park</a></h2>



<p>This is an out and back course along the shore of Pitsford reservoir, with the return leg taking you through the country park and up a couple of cheeky hills. Head to&nbsp;The Park Bistro cafe after your run, where you can get a 15% discount with your parkrun barcode. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wicksteed-park-kettering"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/kettering/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wicksteed Park</a>, Kettering</h2>



<p>A busy, bustling route, paths are hard standing or compacted stone but are prone to large puddles after rain. Take care when crossing the railway lines and watch out for dogs, wild fowl and traffic. The Carousel Cafe is your go-to for post parkrun coffee and conversation.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-005.jpg" alt="Woman running in park" class="wp-image-62993" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-005.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-005-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2025/11/parkrun-005-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-plens-desborough"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/theplens/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plens</a>, Desborough</h2>



<p>At the moment there&#8217;s a temporary route pending some drainage work taking place, but currently the course runs around The Plens Nature Reserve and Desborough Greenspace, principally a trail run on a mixture of hardcore paths, grass and tarmac. Parts of the course will be muddy, even in summer. Head to&nbsp;Desborough Leisure Centre for a coffee and chat afterwards. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-glebe-recreation-ground-corby"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/corby/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Glebe Recreation Ground</a>, Corby</h2>



<p>The course follows the path uphill on a gentle gradient away from the pavilion, turning left at the top of the park and heading in an anticlockwise direction following the perimeter of the park. The first part of the route starts on a tarmac path, but then eventually leads on to grass. There are some steep uphill sections &#8211; be warned. Head to West Glebe pavilion for coffee. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irchester-country-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/irchestercountry/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Irchester Country Park</a></h2>



<p>Run on well surfaced trails through diverse woodland that reveal elements of the park’s ironstone quarrying history and Jurassic limestone. But no stopping to ogle the geology, ok? The course follows an out-and-back route with a 1km loop in the middle and you can head to the Quarryman&#8217;s Rest Café for a post run social and coffee stop. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daventry-country-park"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/daventry/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daventry Country Park</a></h2>



<p>This is a really lovely route, consisting of one full lap of Daventry Country Park in an anti-clockwise direction, so no repetition, for those that struggle with it (me included). Post run social coffees at Leisure Lakes Bikes in the Abbey Retail Park. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watermeadows-towcester"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/watermeadows/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watermeadows</a>, Towcester</h2>



<p>Four laps on a hard compacted surface with the last section of about 250 metres on grass. The clues in the name &#8211; the course can get quite waterlogged after very heavy rainfall. Head to the newly opened Old Bakery café for post-run coffees and catch-up. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salcey-forest"><a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/salceyforest/course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salcey Forest</a></h2>



<p>Just one lap in a clockwise direction on a mixture of gravel and trail through the forest &#8211; trail shoes are advised during winter months or after periods of rain. Head to&nbsp;the Grounds Café for your coffee and catch-up. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more-try-these">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE? TRY THESE</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/boom-15-brilliant-bonfires-and-fireworks-displays/">Boom! Brilliant bonfires and fireworks displays</a></li>



<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/gotta-have-it-2/candles-home-fragrance/">Seductive candles and home fragrances we love for darker nights</a></li>



<li><a href="https://northantsleicsrutland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/silverstone-lap-of-lights-christmas/">Buckle up! Lap of Lights is back and brighter than ever at Silverstone this Christmas</a></li>
</ul>


Run for it! Looking for a fun, free way to cram in some cardio? Join your local parkrun

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