Rothley is another stop on the Great Central Railway, a quiet village on the eastern edge of the Charnwood Forest, originally built around Rothley Brook, a tributary of the Soar. Swithland is a pleasant Forest village close to both the Woods and Reservoir, which also bear its name. The village is known well beyond Charnwood for its dark blue slate, which produced roofing material from the times of the Romans to the 19th century. Anstey's role as a southern gateway to the Charnwood Forest is shown by the 15th century Packhorse Bridge, just a mere 5 feet wide, straddling Rothley Brook. Birstall has become a major dormitory area for Leicester, but there are several examples of its earlier history in evidence.
Distances shown are in a direct line.
Distances by road will be longer. At the Gas Museum you will gain a fascinating insight into the story of gas past and present, with particular reference to the East Midlands region. Superbly restored Medieval Manor House with fine oak furnishings. Period Herb gardens. Where miners once spent long gruelling hours underground at the former Snibston Colliery, visitors of all ages can now have hours of fun unravelling the mysteries of science and technology.