Markfield can be explored from two perspectives: its historic settlement centre and its natural and geological features. Markfield Conservation Area forms the historic core of the settlement and includes buildings from many different periods. At Altar Stones, the rock outcrops reveal a geological history that began long before Markfield’s local history and spans hundreds of millions of years.

Church and Local History

The Church of St Michael and All Angels dates back to the 12th century; its two-stage tower dates from the 14th century. “Two-stage” describes the tower’s structure and is distinct from its date. The Church of St Michael dominates the buildings around Markfield’s Upper and Lower Greens. The Conservation Area includes buildings from many periods; at the church, its 12th-century origins meet the 14th-century tower.

Finding Your Way Around the Village

There are two different ways to find your bearings. The Markfield Village Trail brochure covers 39 points of interest. An information board in the car park on Main Street shows some of the village’s older buildings and their history. If you are looking for a broader selection of points of interest, the brochure is a good starting point; for a closer look at older buildings, the board focuses on those. A description updated on 3 August 2024 mentions a guided village walk in summer, usually during the Festival of Archaeology. Check in advance whether a walk is scheduled during your visit, and only then make firm plans to take part.

Nature and Geology

Hill Hole Quarry is a natural area within the National Forest and covers a total of 5.2 hectares.

The large rock outcrops at Altar Stones are between 600 and 700 million years old. Compared with the Church of St Michael, Altar Stones has a much longer geological history: the church dates back to the 12th century, and its two-stage tower dates from the 14th century. Altar Stones Nature Reserve is ideal for a leisurely walk with impressive views across Leicestershire. At Altar Stones, geological history meets views across Leicestershire.

Walks and Travel Planning

When choosing a walk, Altar Stones and Walk 32 can be compared by their different features. Altar Stones invites you to enjoy a leisurely stroll with views across Leicestershire; Walk 32 starts in Markfield and is a 5-mile (8 km) walk. If you are looking for a more leisurely walk with views across Leicestershire, Altar Stones is a good choice.

Discover more destinations: North Kilworth, Bottesford, Earl Shilton, Stathern, Higham on the Hill, Appleby Magna, Loughborough, Old Dalby.

For the main travel overview: Leicestershire.