The UK is home to no shortage of charming villages and towns. From picturesque cobbled streets nestled in rolling hills to cliffside white washed villages, there’s plenty to explore. One such town is that of Market Harborough in Leicester.

Once part of the Rockingham Forest — a mediaeval  royal hunting forest — it’s now a charming market town surrounded by rich history and beautiful countryside. Inside the town, there’s dozens of independent boutiques, spas and eateries perfect for a day of exploring. 

One of the many things to do around Market Harborough is to visit the Foxton Locks — a set of locks that are both the steepest and longest in the UK. These locks allow canal boats to travel up and down a 75-foot hill through the Leicestershire countryside.

The canal offers a charming autumnal walk alongside the water as you traverse the locks and watch the boats drift by. 

With more than 5000 boats travelling on the locks every year you’re never short of entertainment. If you’ve worked up an appetite (or a thirst) on your walk, why not pop into one of the many canalside cafes or pubs. 

The Foxton Locks Inn is a classic traditional pub serving home cooked food, local ales with a cosy interior — and even a covered terrace so you can look out on the canal while you eat.

There’s also Rockingham Castle, a truly incredible building constructed in the Tudor period and perched atop a hill overlooking five counties.

The castle is nestled within 12 acres of formal and wild gardens and offers amazing views over the countryside. However, it is worth noting the castle is only open to visitors on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter through to September and from June on Tuesdays as well.

If you’d rather stay within the village, and are a fan of history then the Old Grammar School is a must see. 

Founded in 1607 by Robert Smyth, the Grammar school was built on posts in the centre of the town to allow the market to continue beneath it.