Barrow upon Soar - Canal & Village

Navigating The Route

This is a return-to-start Treasure Hunt around Barrow upon Soar - Canal & Village, with Explorers helping Doug Upperbone, a clumsy fossil hunter from Barrow, follow a curious map around Barrow upon Soar and solve the Roman mystery.

The quest covers 1.5 miles and should take around 1.5+ hours to complete. You'll explore village streets and the canal towpath, with chances to investigate Barrow's waterways, historic village details and greener pauses before finishing back near Mill Lane.

This Trail is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, but the route has a couple of hills, a canal towpath, narrow stretches and some muddy sections. There are also steps between the house and the canal towpath.

Take extra care close to deep water, as pathways may be slippery. Several road crossings need care too, including the canal bridge area, Crossley Close, High Street, Church Street, Melton Road and Mill Lane.

Getting There

By car: Start your treasure hunt at Mill Lane alongside the play area (LE12 8LH), using ///singles.evolution.hairspray.

You can also use the Navigation Inn (LE12 8LQ) as an alternative parking option. From there, start by walking down with the road on your right past Martin Avenue, Chatterbox Cottage and the Navigation Inn to the canal bridge.

By public transport: Make your way to Mill Lane alongside the play area (LE12 8LH) to begin the quest. The route returns to the starting area and finishes back near Mill Lane.

Need the Loo?

Plan ahead, Explorers - there aren't any public toilets on this route, so it's worth making a comfort stop before you set off.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the adventure. 🐾

Keep dogs closely supervised near the deep water and on slippery paths. The route also includes village streets, road crossings, narrow stretches, a canal towpath, muddy sections and steps down to the towpath, so leads and steady paws are a good idea throughout.

Food & Drink Stops

Fossil hunting and Roman mystery-solving can work up an appetite. There are chances to stock up on snacks or stop for refreshments at Clue 04 and between Clues 07-08, and the route also passes the Navigation Inn and The Moorings Inn.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, pack supplies to enjoy a picnic at the start and end, where there's a play area for Mini Explorers, or at Clue 09.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The canal and towpath

The quest follows the streets and towpath beside the canal, giving Explorers a proper waterside stretch to enjoy once the clue-hunting pace slows down. The canal joins the Grand Union Canal to the River Trent and was built in 1794 as part of the Leicester Navigation, bringing coal from the Derbyshire coalfields to Leicester. Barrow Deep Lock is the deepest lock on this stretch of water.

The Roundhouse

Keep an eye out for The Roundhouse, a small octagonal building across the road that was originally the village lockup. It was later used to house the funeral bier and also as the village fire station. Immediately behind it is the Old Forge, last used in the 1950s.

Garden of Rest and churchyard

The route goes into the Garden of Rest and then into the churchyard, where there is a sundial and a lych gate. It's a quieter part of the adventure and should be entered respectfully - ideal for slowing the pace and soaking up a little local history between clues.

Optional marina and weir detour

For an extra waterside wander, head back to the vicinity of Clue 01, then go straight ahead to follow the path around the marina to the weir. If there has been recent rain, this can be a very dramatic spot.