Abbey Park to Ellis Meadows via the Pumping Station for Railway Day

Choose How You Move encourage people to travel sustainably in Leicester - especially on foot or by bike!  We put on a range of group walks across the city to encourage people to discover Leicester on foot. Join us to discover how walkable the city really is!

Choose How You Move - Leicester City Council

Enjoy a friendly walk along the attractive riverside path to Ellis Meadows via the Pumping Station for Railway Day and other activities

Abbey Park  - meeting outside the cafe

Group Walks in Leicester - Summer to Autumn 2025

Discover Leicester with our sociable group walks. From green spaces to waterways and urban trails, Leicester is fantastic to explore on foot.

Let's Get Together Strolls

Join us for social walks each month, visiting Leicester's Museums and other public venues! Enjoy a friendly group walk through pleasant city streets and parks. We reveal some interesting facts along the way and there is  a social opportunity afterwards.

Walk Leicester Festival 2025

The Walk Leicester Festival is the perfect opportunity to get out of your everyday routine and enjoy all that Leicester has to offer. Go on walks through the city,  take in the fresh air,  see beautiful sights, and explore your local area.

<h3>Abbey Park to Ellis Meadows via Abbey Pumping Station for Railway Day!</h3><h3>Saturday 5 July at 11am</h3><h3>Starting outside the cafe in Abbey Park. </h3><h3>Two walk options, both with free time at Abbey Pumping Station to explore the family fun event. Bring your own refreshments, picnic outside and enjoy relaxing in the museum grounds. Toilets available.</h3><h3> </h3><h3>Option 1 - Join us for an easy stroll (just under 1 mile, 30 minutes) from Abbey Park via the riverside path to the event at Abbey Pumping Station. There, enjoy Railway Day with Meccano and the Mealbarrow Extravaganza! Walk suitable for families, steady pace. Accessible.</h3><h3> Option 2 - A longer walk (around 2 miles, 60 minutes) along the riverside, via Ellis Meadows and Belgrave Hall, finishing at Abbey Pumping Station to check out the event. Walk suitable for those who enjoy stretching their legs. At 1.30pm - optional return walk from Abbey Pumping Station (1 mile, 30 minutes), arriving back at Abbey Park cafe around 2pm. Alternatively, stay longer and return independently. If parking at Abbey Park, do allow sufficient time for the duration of your stay when paying to park, or consider public transport (see travel section).</h3> <h3>This walk is suitable for most. Walking or wheeling, we hope you'll join us! Information about the pace of our walks (and much more) can be found on our <a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicester-city-council-group-walks/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicester-city-council-group-walks/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Leicester City Council Group Walks</a> page.</h3> What's on at Abbey Pumping Station...<ul><li><a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/event-details/?id=96ec4e49-ec77-44a0-a4de-cb008da6418f" title="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/event-details/?id=96ec4e49-ec77-44a0-a4de-cb008da6418f" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Railway Day with Meccano </a>(11.30am-4.30pm) - take a ride on Leonard the Steam Locomotive (50p/ride, cash only) and check out the Meccano displays.</li><li><a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/MealbarrowExtravaganza2025" title="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/MealbarrowExtravaganza2025" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Check out the Mealbarrow Extravaganza</a> (11am-3pm) - showcasing food grown in wheelbarrows by Leicester school children, for the Grow Your Own Grub competition. Vote for your favourite! Plus - visit the new electric Book Bus, enjoy free craft activities, story-telling and more.</li><li><a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/abbey-pumping-station/" title="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/abbey-pumping-station/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Visit the museum</a> (free entry). Explore the exhibits about the history of science, industry, transport, health and hygiene.</li></ul> BookingWalks are free to attend but please book as numbers are limited. Adults, please book via Eventbrite or phone 0116 373 7589 (phone line is Monday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm, not at weekends or bank holidays). Booking is not required for children. Children are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult.If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel via Eventbrite or contact us by phone during office hours so we can allow others the opportunity to attend.TravelAbbey Park is accessible by public transport. For help planning your journey on foot, by cycle, public transport or by car visit the Choose How You Move<a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> journey planner</a> tool.For help planning your journey from A to B, try the Choose How You Move <a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Journey Planner tool</a>. Please consider travelling sustainably (bus, cycle or walk) where possible. Abbey Park is accessible by public transport. Bus travel information (routes, timetables, fares and tickets) can be found on the Choose How You Move <a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/public-transport/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/public-transport/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Public Transport</a> pages. You can now pay bus fare via "tap on" and "tap off" with a preferred contactless payment method. The system will cap all fares at the best value adult ticket. New WalkersIf you have not walked with Leicester City Council before we will ask you to complete our New Walker Registration form (adults only). You will receive an email with information about how to do so in the days leading up to the event. You only need to complete the New Walker form once and can attend any of our walks thereafter (subject to booking a place on Eventbrite). Children do not need to do the form. Dress for the weatherRemember to dress appropriately for the weather. Our group walks will go ahead in most weather. You will not need any special clothing or equipment. We recommend the following:• Comfortable sturdy footwear• Bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain• On cooler days wear appropriate layers (hat, scarf, gloves) and a coat/jacket. On warmer days a hat and sunscreen are recommended.• Please bring a bottle of water with you, especially during the warmer months. Group sizePlease book your place – this helps us to keep our group sizes manageable. Self-guided routesIf you have been unable to book onto one of our group walks, or you prefer to explore with your family or friends, self-guided routes are available to download from the routes page of our <a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walks/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walks/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Choose How You Move website</a> or via the <a href="https://www.gojauntly.com/" title="https://www.gojauntly.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Go Jauntly</a> smartphone app. For other ideas, do check out our <a href="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walking/walk-inspiration/" title="https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/walking/walk-inspiration/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Walk Inspiration page</a> which features walk videos and quiz trails. Enjoy exploring Leicester on foot.