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Pictures of Melton Mowbray

in the county of Leicestershire

The view from Burrough Hill

About Melton Mowbray

Melton Mowbray has its historic roots firmly entrenched in Saxon times but it is the heady times of the late 19th and early 20th-centuries, that are reputed to be the 'heyday' of this charming town.

The countryside of Leicestershire, perfect for Hunting, soon began attracting fashionable folk from all over and this included members of the English aristocracy and the Royal family, who sometimes brought with them, members from foreign Royal Houses.

Finely clothed in 'Hunting Pink' they provided a colourful spectacle, not only for the hunt but they quite literally 'Painted the town Red' such was the social life of this romantic period. Lord Cardigan, who famously led The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, owned a house in Burton Street, Engerton Lodge, occupied by the Wilton family, was said to be the centre for the Hunting confraternity. Interestingly, it was at close-by Burrough-on-the-Hill, that the Prince of Wales met Mrs Simpson, the woman who was to become his Duchess and for whom he gave up the Throne of England.

John Fernely, a local painter, gained national fame when he captivated the colourful hunting scene for posterity. His works along with the work of other painters can be seen in the Melton Carnegie Museum at Melton Mowbray.

The picturesque countryside of Melton Mowbray still continues to be a mecca for the Hunting confraternity and famous hunting packs continue to meet here. The district is often loud with the noise of horns, hounds and horses.

It is recorded that Melton Mowbray was important for its wool trade in the 14th-century and from this period the town made steady progress until 1795 when the Melton Navigation Canal was built. This enabled the importing of coal which led to increased trade in all areas and it is around this time that Saddle, Boot and Shoe making became important. Thus, the town grew in prosperity.

By the Mid 19th-century, Melton had become famous for its Pork packed pies and Stilton cheeses, both are savoured all over Britain and in many other countries.

Of the interesting places to visit, the Melton Carnegie Museum is a must, here you can trace the entire history of the town and its products. St. Mary's Church is arguably the most impressive of all the county's churches, and contains some very fine monuments.

Nearby villages to visit are - Sysonby, mentioned in the Domesday book, Freeby - dates from Edward the Confessor, as does the village of Eye Kettleby. Burton Lazars, a pretty village, set on a ridge to the south of Melton, with fine vistas of farmlands all around.

As you can imagine, in this famous hunting county there are many fine Inns where you are sure to find a genial host offering tasty dishes that will doubtless include Melton's famous Pork pies and Stilton cheese. But of all the fine things in this old town it is the abiding memory of the Hunting scene that will captivate you for ever.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Melton Mowbray

Brown's Hill Quarry Nature Reserve(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction N)Pictures
Burrough Hill Hillfort(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction S)Pictures
Belvoir Castle(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction NE)Pictures
Oakham Castle(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction SE)Pictures
Cossington Meadows Nature Reserve(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Launde Abbey(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Watermead Country Park(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Woolsthorpe Manor(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction E)Pictures
Rutland Water(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction SE)Pictures
Egleton Nature Reserve(11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SE)Pictures
Belgrave Hall Museum & Gardens(12.5 miles, 20.0 km, direction SW)Pictures
Cotgrave Country Park(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NW)Pictures
Great Central Railway(13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction W)Pictures
Abbey Park(13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction SW)Pictures
Leicester Cathedral(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction SW)Pictures

All attractions in Melton Mowbray
All attractions in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Melton Mowbray

John O'Gaunt, in the county of Leicestershire (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Queniborough, in the county of Leicestershire (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction SW)
A lovely village, where round every corner there is another visual delight.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tilton on the Hill, in the county of Leicestershire (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction S)
This is a quiet rural village situated in one of the highest parts of the rolling Leicestershire countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Oakham, in the county of Rutland (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction SE)
For centuries the countryside around Oakham has echoed to the sound of hunting horns, for the vales and rolling farmland surrounding this sedate market town, have been the stamping ground for the counties hunting fraternity.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Braunston, in the county of Rutland (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, in the county of Lincolnshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction E)
The tiny hamlet of Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth lies in spacious rural countryside in the valley of the River Witham.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rothley, in the county of Leicestershire (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction W)
Rothley is a delightful village with two village greens, one is flanked by some of the country's finest timber framed houses. The village shows a graceful selection of architecture including pretty Cruck Cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Quorn, in the county of Leicestershire (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction W)
Quorn can be found between Leicester and Loughborough, it is surrounded by magnificent countryside and a wealth of visitor attractions.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Loughborough, in the county of Leicestershire (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction W)
The joyous sound of bells made in Loughborough have been rung all over the world since 1858, the date that John Taylor of Oxford...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leicester, a Historic City in the county of Leicestershire (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction SW)
Leicester is famed amongst other things for its fine parish church which was raised to Cathedral status in 1927.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Normanton, in the county of Rutland (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)
Normanton lies in a landscape of rolling farmlands, broken only by rivers and patches of woodland. It is a tranquil place, with the waters offering scope for sailing and other water-sports, bird-watching, fishing, and cycling.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Edith Weston, in the county of Rutland (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)
The village lies on the southern shores of Rutland Water, one of Europe's largest man-made reservoirs, and England's premier fly fishing waters.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Uppingham, in the county of Rutland (14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction SE)
Uppingham is a small town in what used to be called Rutland. It was just a tiny county, yet it encompassed some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Anstey, in the county of Leicestershire (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction SW)
One of the most attractive features of Anstey is the famous 14th century five arched pack-horse bridge crossing the River Wreake.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hallaton, in the county of Leicestershire (14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction S)
Easter Monday sees the villages of Hallaton and Medbourne engaged in a riotous 'bottle kicking' contest which is said to have pagan origins.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Leicestershire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Melton Mowbray Station(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Oakham Station(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction SE)
M1 Junction 23(16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction W)
M1 Junction 21A(16.6 miles, 26.6 km, direction SW)
East Midlands Airport(19.1 miles, 30.7 km, direction W)
Birmingham International Airport(41.8 miles, 67.3 km, direction SW)
Melton Mowbray to London(92.8 miles, 149.3 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Melton Mowbray

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Melton Mowbray center
Quorn Lodge Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Grange Country Guest House (Non Smoking)(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction SE)
The Red House(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction W)
Scalford Hall(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction N)
Comfort Inn Leicester North(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NW)
Six Hills Hotel(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction W)
The Old Plough(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction SE)
The Whipper-In Hotel(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction SE)
Old Wisteria Hotel(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SE)
Barnsdale Hall Hotel(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Melton Mowbray

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