The base of the medieval market cross is still visible in the wall of the house at 11 Middle St in Croxton Kerrial. The village also has a church with intricate carvings, 19th-century architecture and a rolling landscape on the limestone ridge. Village history and landscape offer two different perspectives on a stay in Croxton Kerrial.
Village History and Architecture
Croxton Kerrial Conservation Area was designated by Melton Borough Council in November 1981 for its special architectural or historic interest. It covers 18.76 hectares. The Church of St Botolph and St John the Baptist stands on the northern edge of the village and is listed as a Grade II* building. These two places alone show how the village’s history has been shaped by different buildings.
Inside the church, the intricately carved bench ends date from the late 14th or early 15th century. The motifs depicted include dragons, owls and shields. These details give the medieval furnishings a tangible form: alongside their date, it is the carved figures and symbols that draw the eye.
Croxton Kerrial Village Hall was formerly a school and dates from 1843. Its porch has a Tudor arch, and the bell turret is also dated 1843. Another trace of the village’s history is the drinking fountain beside the main A607 road. It belonged to a historic water supply system that used spring water from a nearby hill.
Historic traces can also be found beyond the village centre: the remains of Croxton Abbey are visible in Croxton Park, about one and a half miles south of Croxton Kerrial. The abbey was once a hunting lodge of the Dukes of Rutland. At Windmill Hill in Croxton Kerrial, the windmill mound is well preserved; it was probably built on a well-preserved Bronze Age burial mound.
Landscape and Walks
Croxton Kerrial lies on a limestone ridge and is surrounded by rolling countryside. The area is characterised by ironstone; the village is visible among groups of trees near the crest of a ridge. Beyond the boundaries of the conservation area, wide views open out across the landscape, with Belvoir Castle as a focal point in the distance. Village views and open countryside are among the varied impressions that characterise the place.
There is a network of footpaths around Croxton Kerrial. Check the path conditions and rights of way before setting out for a walk. The Village Trail is an easy walk to the village’s places of interest. These details offer different starting points for a walk: a local path network and a trail specifically focused on Croxton Kerrial’s attractions.
Getting Around and Staying
The A607 is an important point of reference for finding your way around the village. The road between Melton and Grantham divides Croxton Kerrial into northern and southern areas and forms a physical barrier. If you are looking for accommodation, you can take this division into account when considering the layout of the village. A 2019 village map shows Croxton Kerrial on an existing bus route; check current services before travelling.
For a break in the village, Croxton Village Shop offers local produce such as Brockleby's Pies, Barlows of Belvoir Preserves and cakes. The shop also offers takeaway hot drinks and outdoor picnic benches. Product ranges and available facilities may change.
Discover more destinations: Redmile, Appleby Magna, Market Harborough, Coalville, Narborough, Higham on the Hill, Great Easton, Ibstock.
For the wider travel overview: Leicestershire.
