Following the easing of lockdown rules, people are beginning to spend more time outside their homes.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last Sunday that, from Wednesday, May 13, people would be allowed to go outside for 'unlimited exercise'.
If you're looking for somewhere to stretch your legs this weekend, there's plenty of beautiful places that you could visit in Leicestershire - including some lovely parks.
Just remember to maintain a two metre distance from other visitors.
Facilities such as playgrounds, cafes and in most cases, toilets, remain closed.
Visitors should follow Government hygiene recommendations – using gloves for shared surfaces such as ticket machines and regularly sanitising hands.
Here's some of the Leicestershire places you could head to....
Market Bosworth Country Park, Market Bosworth
On the edge of the charming market town, this is a beautiful park with lots to enjoy.
There’s the Bow Pool, home to ducks and swans which can spot a slice of bread a mile off, and an arboretum with exotic tree species.
Watermead Country Park, near Syston
Situated between Syston and Wanlip, this large park was once a sand and gravel pit. It now offers a great opportunity for walking and cycling, as well as bird-watching, fishing and nature study.
There are more than a dozen lakes and ponds and a network of paths taking in a wealth of landscapes, viewpoints and wildlife habitats. There’s also Reedbed Nature Reserve which opened in 2004, and the Birstall Nature Reserve, towards the south of the park.
Beacon Hill Country Park, Woodhouse Eaves
If you want an impressive view across Leicestershire, head to the summit of Beacon Hill. You won’t be disappointed.
The 135-hectare park is also made up of some of the oldest rocks (700 million years) in the world.
These include the unusual Old Man’s Head rock formation which can be seen from the path near the summit.
Just across the road from Beacon Hill is Broombriggs Farm, where there’s a mile-and-a-half farm trail.
New Lount Nature Reserve, Newbold Coleorton
Within The National Forest, this 19.5-hectare mixed reserve includes species-rich grassland, ponds, plantation woodland and scrub.
The site, which was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1995, sits on the site of the former New Lount colliery.
Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood, Newtown Linford
Bradgate Park is a hugely popular beauty spot and it’s no wonder. There’s 830 acres of wild and beautiful countryside, populated by hundreds of resident deer.
There are dramatic rocky outcrops and gnarled old oak trees, many of which are well over 500 years old. There’s also the historic ruins of Bradgate House – home of nine-day queen Lady Jane Grey – and the landmark Old John’s Tower.
You could hike up the hills and enjoy the stunning views, or take it easy and stick to the driveway running through the lower part of the park, close to the shallow waters of the River Lin.
Just north of Bradgate is Swithland Wood, a 155-acre ancient woodland. A network of waymarked footpaths and riding tracks extend throughout the wood and link directly to Bradgate Park.
Melton Country Park, Melton Mowbray
You can explore 140 acres of wildlife, lakes and footpaths trails at this park, which is situated just 10 minutes' walk from the town centre.
Burbage Common and Woods, Hinckley
Located on the edge of Hinckley, Burbage Common is Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's largest countryside site.
The 200 acre park is a mix of semi-natural woodland and unspoilt grassland. The main car park, off Leicester Road, offers free car parking.
Food and drink deliveries during coronavirus lockdown
Hollycroft Park, Hinckley
Hollycroft Park is a classic example of a 1930s park, which to this day remains virtually unaltered.
The park has achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award every year since 2010.
Victoria Park, Leicester
This is just a short walk from the city centre along the tree-lined New Walk.
Victoria Park was the city's racecourse until 1883. It now has pathways shaded by avenues of trees dividing its 69 acres of open parkland.
Abbey Park, Leicester
Just a mile outside of the busy city centre, Abbey Park is a lovely area of greenery which is divided in two by the River Soar.
On the western side of the river are the Abbey Grounds with the remains of the twelfth century Leicester Abbey and the ruins of Cavendish House, a seventeenth century mansion.
To the east of the river is the Victorian part of the park with its evergreen shrubberies, trees, boating lake,and formally planted flower displays.
Despite these parks being open to the public, Rutland Water remains closed with the Rutland council leader, Oliver Hemsley, pleading with people not to travel to the site.
