Leicester Riverside is a twelve-mile long green corridor running through the city along the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal. It is regionally important for wildlife and comprises a network of open spaces, nature reserves and parks. It has a range of cycle paths and footpaths, connecting different parts of the City and is a focal point for regeneration in several areas of the City. To the south of the city centre, it runs parallel to the Great Central Way, a footpath and cycleway along the route of the former Great Central Railway.
Explore Leicester Riverside
Three free Riverside Maps provide details of all of the footpaths and cycle paths, access points and features. The maps are divided into Southern, Central and Northern sections and you can pick up copies from local libraries or the Tourist Information Centre or you can download them from the links at the bottom of this page.
Riverside activities
The Riverside has a team of Rangers who carry out a whole range of tasks from cutting the grass or litter picking through to leading volunteer conservation tasks or putting on events for the public and schools etc. The Riverside team work in liaison with many other people in order to manage the river corridor through the City.
Every month, volunteer conservation days are organised on the Riverside by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers). No prior skills are needed and all abilities are welcome for helping out with a wide range on interesting tasks, from habitat management to boardwalk construction, working with friendly like minded people. For more information contact The Conservation Volunteers 0116 255 3515
The Rangers also run the award winning GreenLife Boat project that enables people to join in helping to keep our river clean. Many other opportunities exist for involvement by business schools, other groups and individuals. Ask a Ranger, they can be approached at any time when you see them on site to give assistance or provide information; or you can contact them by email: leicester.riverside@leicester.gov.uk.
