Shenton for a Couple of Nights

On Saturday we left our mooring on the southern section of the Ashby Canal and made our way north, taking on water at Lime Kilns. The towpath there was a quagmire and it was pouring with rain. It is rare that you drop your mooring lines into the cut to clean them up.

Flooded fields and Towpath

As we went north it was clear that lots of water was running out of both field drains and straight off the fields. Being cold we didn’t exactly want to move on, but we were committed to meeting up with family on Easter Sunday, so we pressed on.

Home of the iconic British brand

Home moorings for our friends Jim & Mary, near Stoke Golding

We finally got to our overnight moorings at Shenton early afternoon. We moored up at the Battlefield Moorings that provide access to Bosworth Field and the Battlefield Railway Line. They are close to the Shenton Aqueduct but are not marked by any signs which is confusing. 

 

Shenton moorings

The weather improved over the afternoon, so we explored the area in preparation for Sunday when the family were due to arrive. We walked up to the road Bosworth Field Site and the Visitor Centre. The café had just finished entertaining lots of youngsters in an Easter Bunny event. Lots of excited kids.

Richard III Reinternment Displays

The exhibition has some new displays related to reinternment of the ashes of Richard III (after its years under the car park in Leicester).

A small 0-6-0 saddle tank was busy going up and down the line between Shenton and Shackerstone pulling half-a-dozen coaches. We worked out how to access the station and noted the train times.

That evening the rain returned with vengeance and we hunkered down for yet another wet night. 

Enjoying Easter Brunch

On Sunday the forecast was for no rain! The first day since we left Weedon on Wednesday. Our family located us on the Shenton Embankment and after an enjoyable Easter Brunch we set off for the station. The saddle-tank engine was again on duty. We enjoyed a great nine-mile journey up to Shackerstone with an intermediate stop at Market Bosworth. The railway were running an Easter Bunny Hunt which we participated in. It meant leaving and returning to the train a bit sharpish after looking for clues. 

Train arriving

On the Battlefield Line

Returning by train to Shenston, we set off on foot with Matilda (aged one) in the “running buggy” and Hugh (aged five) walking up the Bosworth Field Visitor Centre and then on to Sutton Cheney for a late Sunday lunch at the Hercules Revived. The walk to the battlefield site was fine and there was less water around than on Saturday, the real problem occurred as we walked to Sutton Cheney. There is a direct path and it looked clear, as far as we could see, but after three field we found ourselves confronted with a freshly ploughed field with no provision for walkers! We just had to go for it. I had to carry the front wheel of the buggy at one point and then lost my walking boot in the mud in the process. We arrived at the pub covered in mud, except for Matilda. Luckily the staff were sympathetic. We spent quite some time cleaning up before entering the restaurant.

Looking at the Easter Chicks at the Hercules Revived

The Sunday roast was good and Hugh, Matilda and all the grown-ups ate well. It was a memorable meal and we can thoroughly recommend the inn.

Richard III Memorials at St James, Sutton Cheney

We returned to the boat via the easier road along the road and called into the charming church of St James at Sutton Cheney. It has an interesting relatively squat tower that is finished off in brick. The church also has strong Richard III connections being so close to the battle site. The Richard III Society have been closely connected to the church and for years have their own memorial in the church. In 2015, the church took part in the reinternment ceremonies with Richard’s coffin pausing at the gate and a short service taking place. 

Spot the Easter Egg

An elegant memorial to Sir William Roberts is a notable part of the church. It was adorned with a small Easter egg!

We had hot-cross buns on the boat and the children got into nightwear for their car journey home. An Easter Sunday to remember.