Rothley Saxon Cross
In the distance, glimpses of the beautiful spire of Queniborough’s church, considered by Pevsner to be "one of the finest spires in the whole of Leicestershire”. It’s certainly the tallest. Over the Queniborough Brook, and beyond that, Queniborough’s high street, a designated conservation area; and three cheers for that, given the rich mix of 16th to 20th-century properties - the classic brick cottages, painted facades, and thatched rooves. A joy to ride through. The target of my ride has brought me along this lovely High Street; a ride to an ancient remnant of the pre-conquest Saxon kingdom of Mercia, located in Rothley, north of Leicester. Even on the more recently built edges of Queniborough there’s history to be found. A short stretch of road beyond the High Street stops at a T junction. This is where I join an old turnpike established in 1764, connecting Melton Mowbray and Leicester. It later became the A607, until bypassed in 1992. Having turned right at that T, I am now hea...