Markfield: Historic Village Centre and Nature Experiences

Markfield combines a historic village centre with exceptional landscape experiences. Anyone planning a trip to Markfield can choose between local history, geological features, walks and Walk 32, the 5-mile (8 km) route that begins in Markfield. This combination makes the village appealing to anyone who does not want to spend their days at just one attraction, but instead wishes to combine a variety of experiences.

Historic Village Centre Spanning Many Eras

The Markfield Conservation Area forms the historic core of the settlement. The buildings there date from many different periods, giving the village a varied historical character. A prominent landmark is the Church of St Michael and All Angels. Its origins date back to the 12th century, while the two-stage tower dates from the 14th century. The Church of St Michael also dominates the buildings around Markfield’s Upper and Lower Greens.

Anyone who wants to get to know Markfield step by step will find 39 points of interest in the Markfield Village Trail brochure. An information board in the car park on Main Street highlights some of the village’s older buildings and tells their story. A guided village walk also takes place in summer, usually as part of the Festival of Archaeology. This allows you either to explore independently using the historic stops or to plan a seasonal guided walk.

Nature Between Quarries and Ancient Rock Outcrops

The landscape around Markfield also offers reasons of its own for a stay. Hill Hole Quarry covers a total of 5.2 hectares and is a nature area within the National Forest. The site therefore represents a landscape in which the history of the rocks can be just as interesting as the visible surroundings.

The Altar Stones nature reserve is ideal for a leisurely walk, during which you can enjoy breathtaking views across Leicestershire. The large rock outcrops at Altar Stones are between 600 and 700 million years old. This creates a clear contrast in your day’s plans between the historic village and a nature experience with a remarkable geological past.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Travel Focus

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Markfield, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus first. If you are particularly interested in architectural history and local traditions, the Conservation Area, churches, Village Trail and information board may be the most important places to visit. Anyone wishing to focus more on landscapes and walking can include Hill Hole Quarry, Altar Stones and Walk 32 in their plans.

Walk 32 is a 5-mile (8 km) route that begins in Markfield. Take this route into account when planning your day. For families or travel groups with different interests, it allows various day ideas to be combined: while part of the group explores historic buildings and the 39 stops on the Village Trail, another group can focus on a walk or on Walk 32. Choosing accommodation in Markfield can therefore be tailored to the desired balance between culture, nature and activity.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to consider other places as travel ideas in addition to Markfield, you can also look at Sutton Cheney, Croxton Kerrial, Stathern, Quorn, North Kilworth, Shepshed, Hathern and Narborough.

For the overarching travel overview: Leicestershire.