Rothley: Village Church, Railway and Templar Traces

Rothley brings together village history and a distinctive railway setting: the parish church preserves medieval features, the walking route takes you to notable places in the village, and a garden railway at the station adds to the railway theme. There is also the history of the Knights Templar and a wine theme. For your stay, you can therefore first decide whether village history, railways or wine should be the focus. The same question is more helpful than a general idea of Rothley when choosing holiday accommodation: it directs your attention to the experiences you would like to shape your days around.

Village History and Walking Route

A walking route through Rothley passes Town Green, where you can see the Cruck cottages, and reaches the parish church of Church of St Mary the Virgin and St John the Baptist, as well as a Saxon cross in the churchyard. Its furthest point is the chapel of the Knights Templar. The route thus brings domestic architecture, church architecture and a churchyard cross into the same historical context. Rothley Temple was a preceptory of the Knights Templar and adds the history of the order to the historical picture. The parish church dates from the 13th to 15th centuries, and its chancel was rebuilt in 1878. A round Norman font with a pattern of concentric lozenges adds a precise geometric detail to the medieval fabric. Rothley Court Hotel and the Chapel are also Grade I listed. For those interested in culture, the appeal lies both in the route between several stops and in individual architectural features.

Rothley Station and the Garden Railway

At Rothley Station, the focus is on its design: restoration returned it to its 1912 appearance. Restored gas lamps are the only lighting throughout all the buildings and on the platform. A reconstructed luggage room houses exhibits and a photograph of Madge Sleath, who worked there as a porter. The station thus combines a historic overall appearance with a specific connection to railway work in the past. The Charnwood Forest Garden Railway is also located at Rothley Station on the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. It is laid out as a European narrow-gauge railway and runs year-round on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Check the timetable before visiting. The platform tea room at the station is open at weekends when trains are running; you should also check its current opening hours in advance. For planning purposes, the two station experiences differ in that the garden railway has specified operating days, while the tea room’s opening is linked to weekend train services.

Wine at Rothley Wine Estate

Rothley Wine Estate offers a guided tour of the estate and vineyard, followed by a tutored wine tasting. This experience is temporarily suspended due to an injury. Check before visiting whether tours and tastings are being offered again.

Discover more destinations: Great Easton, Medbourne, Markfield, Loughborough, Croxton Kerrial, Woodhouse Eaves, Earl Shilton, Sibson.

For the regional travel overview: Leicestershire.