Out on the course - Heather

Heather is just on the edge of the Leicestershire coalfield, with Coalville and Ibstock nearby which had many mines, all finally closing in the 1980's.

Since medieval times Heather has had a flour mill, but became more industrialised in the 19th century. There have been several small pits but a new shaft sunk in 1825 found a rich seam three and a half feet thick and became the main pit.

Clay is common in the area, Heather having its own brickworks. Its well known bricks were used to build St. Pancras Railway Station in 1865. The railway came in 1873, enabling the village to prosper with good transport for coal and bricks and always carried more goods than passengers. Population was tiny at 368 in 1841 and still in 1900 the village only extended along Main Street between where you turn left in the village and the roundabout.

Many villagers then worked in the industrialised areas of Coalville, Measham and Ibstock. Along Main Street the manor house is passed on your left, and between the two pubs is the simple village school dating from 1845.

Walter Scott is supposed to have written at least part of Ivanhoe in Heather.

Enjoy the scenery and the buildings on the route as you go back to Packington and around for a second time!