Stathern: Coombs Meadows and Local History

Stathern brings landscape and cultural themes together in a distinctive selection: Coombs Meadows offers walking routes and views, while the Church of St Guthlac, historic buildings and places of remembrance tell the story of the village. When planning your trip, you can weigh up a focus on walks and scenery against a stronger interest in architectural and church history.

Walks, views and landscape

Two public footpaths cross Coombs Meadows, with another access point from Stathern. From the Meadows, there are views across the Vale of Belvoir and the Trent Valley. The stretch from Harby to Redmile is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); this includes the Stathern section. If you plan to visit Coombs Meadows, confirm access before your trip, as access information may change.

A short stretch of the Nottingham to Grantham Canal runs through the northern part of the parish of Stathern. In addition, the downhill approach via Mill Hill from Melton Mowbray offers views across the Vale at the foot of the escarpment. These landscape features are in different locations: the paths cross Coombs Meadows, the canal section lies in the northern part of the parish, and the view over Mill Hill is from the approach.

Church of St Guthlac: architectural history and visiting

St Guthlac's Church is a medieval Grade II* listed building, constructed from local ironstone. Its fabric dates from the late 13th and 17th centuries; R W Johnson restored the Church of St Guthlac in 1867–1868. The literary connection also has a specific timeframe: the poet George Crabbe served as curate at the church from 1785 to 1789.

The church is open daily for private prayer and visitors, usually from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Confirm opening hours before your trip. At the base of the tower is a small history exhibition with photographs and church artefacts. Four late Victorian stained-glass windows in the east window date from 1905. There are also five bells in a modern steel frame and a historic organ with a Grade 1 Historic Organ Certificate. The building phases, windows and exhibition offer different points of interest, so visitor information is not limited to a single historical period.

The lace industry and local history

The Former Lace Factory is a former lace factory dating from the late 19th century and is Grade II listed. It is considered a rare surviving example of a small village factory and is associated with the local lace industry, which originated in Nottingham in the late 18th century. The Old Rectory, meanwhile, was a rectory dating from the mid-to-late 18th century. The Chantry Priest's House dates from the late 17th century or earlier and was formally known as the King William Public House.

The local religious history also stretches back a long way: the chantry is believed to have been the first in Leicestershire. It was established in 1294, when the first chaplain was appointed. The Gote is a historic watering place by Stathern Church; the site and name have existed since at least Saxon times. The covered remains of Stathern dovecote have also been preserved and are of local historical interest.

Places of remembrance and local food

On 20 May 1920, the Stathern War Memorial Institute was formally opened by the Duke of Rutland. A plaque in the institute records 114 men and women who served in the First World War. The plaque commemorates a specific group and their service, while the story of the institute's opening has its own historical significance.

Local food also has a historical connection: Stilton cheese was made in Stathern until the Second World War. Another food-related attraction is the Riad Supper Club in Stathern, a pop-up restaurant serving Middle Eastern cuisine. It offers supper club events and private dining. As business details may change, confirm availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sproxton, Quorn, Broughton Astley, Harby, Kegworth, Castle Donington, Hinckley, Appleby Magna.

For the broader travel overview: Leicestershire.