Harby – History and Nature in the Vale of Belvoir

Harby lies in the Vale of Belvoir, on the border with Leicestershire. When choosing where to stay, the village combines early settlement history with listed buildings and nature trails. Some of the natural features described are in Harby itself, while others are in the surrounding area. If you are considering Harby as a destination, you can decide whether local history, a specifically named walking route, or nature observation should shape your stay.

History and Buildings

The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Harby is a Grade II* listed building. The remains of Harby Windmill are Grade II listed. Harby was founded as a Danish settlement around 850; its first recorded mention appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. The dates provide two different points of reference: around 850 indicates the approximate date of the settlement's founding, while 1086 marks its first written record. The Grade listings, by contrast, refer to the specific buildings named, not to the village as a whole. The foundation history, written record, and listed properties can therefore be understood as distinct ways of exploring the village's history.

Trails and Nature

Harby Walk 2 passes through the old village centre, by a tearoom near the canal, and along a tree-lined path. The Leicestershire County Council published a leaflet describing the route in 2013. Check local path conditions before your visit. A network of footpaths also leads from Harby into the surrounding area, offering opportunities to explore and observe nature. The details differ in scale: Harby Walk 2 is a specifically named route, while the network of footpaths opens up routes into the surrounding area.

A small nature area lies at the corner of Stathern Lane and Pinfold Place. Harby churchyard attracts numerous animal and plant species. In the area around Harby, the towpath of the Grantham Canal is grass-covered as far as Redmile Mill Bridge. In several places, medieval ridge and furrow on the slopes on either side of the canal attest to the great age of the landscape. The distinction in location is useful: the nature area and churchyard are in Harby, while the towpath and ridge and furrow are in the surrounding area. They also highlight different things: the churchyard is home to animal and plant species, while the canal slopes bear traces of the historic landscape.

Meals and Live Music

The Nags Head serves traditional meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Menus and service details may change; check the latest information if you plan to eat there. Live music takes place at The Nags Head on the first Friday of every month. Confirm the programme before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Castle Donington, Lutterworth, Bottesford, Kirkby Mallory, Redmile, Sutton Cheney, Orton, Moira

For the wider travel overview: Leicestershire.