In Broughton Astley, historic buildings and memorials meet a network of public rights of way and dedicated leisure facilities. This offers several ways to plan your visit: architecture and local history, routes into the surrounding countryside, or sports and play facilities. Shape your stay around the things that interest you most.

Routes into the countryside and a cycle route

An extensive network of footpaths and bridleways leads from Broughton Astley into the surrounding countryside. The public rights of way network also includes connections to the River Soar. These routes offer a different way to plan your visit from the designated cycle route: you can decide whether you would like to travel on foot or horseback, or explore a cycle route.

The Broughton Loop via Fleckney and Kilby Cycle Route starts at the signal-controlled junction of the B581, Broughton Road and Cosby Road. Its specific starting point makes the cycle route a useful reference for planning. Alongside the general network of footpaths and bridleways, you can choose a named cycle route and its starting point.

Churches, remembrance and architectural history

The Church of St Mary was built largely in the early 14th century. The chancel is older, while the tower spire dates from the Perpendicular period. The different building periods give the church a layered architectural history, rather than assigning all its parts to a single date.

The Broughton Astley War Memorial was erected in 1921 and later extended with an inscription for the Second World War. It commemorates 33 parishioners who lost their lives in the First World War and stands in a landscaped garden. The date it was built, the later addition and the commemorations are distinct parts of its history.

Quaker Cottage was acquired by the Society of Friends in 1681 as a meeting house. The cottage and its associated grounds served as a meeting house and burial ground until 1907. The history of the house is therefore not limited to its architecture: its use by the Society of Friends and the function of the grounds are also part of its story.

Another historic detail is the cast-iron Broughton Astley Milepost, which dates from the early 19th century. It gives the distances as six miles to Hinckley and eight miles to Leicester. These details offer a vivid glimpse into the history of the signpost; they indicate the distances marked on the milepost, not journey times.

Leisure facilities and getting around

Frolesworth Road Recreation Ground has a playground with play equipment for children and young people of all ages, a skate park and a multi-use games area. There are also two football pitches and a cricket pitch. The different facilities cater to a range of leisure interests, from play and skateboarding to football and cricket. Check the latest information about use before planning a specific visit.

Broughton Astley Leisure Centre opened in December 2019. A regular time is listed for bell-ringing practice at St Mary's Church: Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. As practice times may change, it is advisable to check the time in advance.

Two bus routes connect Broughton Astley with several places. Route 84 runs to Leicester, Blaby, Whetstone, Cosby, Dunton Bassett and Lutterworth. The X84 connects the village with Rugby, Magna Park, Lutterworth, Croft, Huncote, Narborough, Fosse Park and Leicester. Leicester and Lutterworth are listed on both routes; the other destinations differ. If you are planning a bus journey, check the current timetable for the relevant route before departure.

Discover more destinations: Hathern, Sapcote, Kegworth, Moira, Rothley, Woodhouse Eaves, Goadby Marwood and Measham.

For the broader travel overview: Leicestershire.