Muston & around
The lane by the Green leads to the little River Devon (pronounced “Deevon”), and across the field is the church. Muston has a small 13th century church, where the poet George Crabbe was rector in the 18th century. He is best known for his early use of the realistic narrative form and his descriptions of middle and working-class life and people. He also wrote a natural history of the Vale of Belvoir:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040805014046/http://www.harby.co.uk/Crabbecxci.htm
The footpath to the right of the field leads to the old railway track; turn right to walk to the canal. The pub on the A52, called The Gap because it is in the gap between three counties, is ten minutes walk away. There is also a teashop in the village.
There are many footpaths and tracks, marked on Ordnance Survey maps at the house. A short walk away is the canal, which is being restored by the Grantham Canal Society. They organise boat trips in the summer and can also issue fishing permits.
http://www.granthamcanal.org/?fbclid=IwAR32hOB24aeOstxBhEcUqgVDEW2zUSt4qEFDxG8UVRjtNk6q3174-J_JFxM
The landscape of the Vale of Belvoir is flat, and therefore very suitable for cycling. The Vale has many villages, most of which have a pub and a church. Ordnance Survey maps are provided at the house for you to plan your route.
The nearest place to visit is Belvoir Castle, a striking local landmark
https://www.belvoircastle.com/
Adjacent to the castle is a retail outlet with coffee shop and restaurant, The Engine Yard.
BOTTESFORD
A mile along the A52 towards Nottingham is the village of Bottesford, where there is a post office, two small supermarkets, a handsome church, pubs and restaurants. The Bottesford History Society offers some fascinating information about the history of Bottesford and Muston.
GRANTHAM
The nearest town is the market town of Grantham, which is a typical English market town 6 miles from Muston on the A52 (market on Saturdays). It is famous for being the town where Margaret Thatcher grew up! You can see the house where she lived as you drive into town. Grantham has a hospital, three large supermarkets, banks and retail outlets. At the market you can buy fresh local vegetables, Stilton cheese and the famous Melton Mowbray pork pies.
Near Grantham is the fine 17th century Belton House:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house
and ten miles south of Muston you can find Woolsthorpe Manor, birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton:
MELTON MOWBRAY
15 miles to the south of Muston on the A607 is Melton Mowbray, another typical historic market town with a strong food culture:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melton_Mowbray
NOTTINGHAM
18 miles to the west on the A52 is the city of Nottingham, a university city and a good shopping centre. Nottingham was known for its lace-making in the 19th century, and is world famous for the legend of Robin Hood in nearby Sherwood Forest:
https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/the-robin-hood-experience-p690221
NEWARK & LINCOLN
North up the A1 is the town of Newark, where there is a Museum exploring the history of the English Civil War: http://www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/
A little further north is the city of Lincoln with its magnificent cathedral.
LITERARY CONNECTIONS
World famous author D.H.Lawrence was born in a miner’s cottage in Nottingham where an authentic recreation of his house can be visited:
https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/d-h-lawrence-birthplace-museum-p641161
Lord Byron, the Romantic poet, lived at Newstead Abbey, 25 miles from Muston.
There is a wealth of National Trust historic buildings, castles, gardens open to the public and medieval churches and cathedrals in the area.
There is a prehistoric site at Cresswell Crags: https://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/,
the National Space Centre https://spacecentre.co.uk/
and numerous places which will entertain children, sports people and other interests. An up-to-date collection of brochures is available at the cottage.
Places to visit can be researched online at the county websites:
http://www.goleicestershire.com/