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Hiking trails & Routes

John Merrick's Lake – Watermead Country Park loop from Thurmaston

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

John Merrick's Lake – Watermead Country Park loop from Thurmaston

Moderate

4.9

(18)

117

hikers

John Merrick's Lake – Watermead Country Park loop from Thurmaston

02:05

8.23km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

46 m

Woolly Mammoth, Watermead Country Park

Highlight • Monument

The life-sized Woolly Mammoth sculpture in Watermead Country Park, Leicester, sits atop a small hill overlooking "Mammoth Lake". Built to commemorate Ice Age remains found during quarrying, it is a popular, accessible landmark for walkers and cyclists along the River Soar, with a 1-mile, pushchair-friendly circuit.

Tip by

1.03 km

Watermead Park Riverside Path

Highlight • Trail

3.11 km

Badobean Coffee Truck

Highlight • Cafe

Not sure how often he stops by but lovely coffee and friendly place for a chat with lovely views. benches nearby for a suit down and take in the scenery.

Tip by

3.78 km

John Merrick's Lake

Highlight • Natural

John Merrick's Lake is on the "Red Route", a loop of hard surfaced paths around the northernmost lake in Watermead Country Park.

John Merricks, was a silver Olympic medallist who competed in sailing events on a nearby lake as a schoolboy.

Tip by

4.67 km

King Lear's Lake

Lake

5.08 km

Bridge Over the River Soar

Highlight • Bridge

The footbridge crossing the River Soar weir is on the "Purple route" around Watermead Country Park, a beautiful loop of hard surfaced path, with a network of lakes on one side and the Grand Union Canal on the other.

Tip by

5.60 km