Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Anstey

Anstey is a village, partly industrial, on the edge of Leicester, and is widely regarded as the gateway to Charnwood Forest.

There are two ancient packhorse bridges in Anstey. One of these, on the old road from Leicester, is well known, while the other, known as King William's Bridge, is known only to walkers.

St. Marys Church dates back to the 13th century. Almost unnoticed beneath a tree in the churchyard is an Anglo-Saxon cross shaft. This is by far the oldest thing in the village, and would have been used for open-air preaching.

Probably the most famous person from Anstey is Ned Ludd, after whom the Luddites took their name. Ned, however, was by no means a political activist. He was not very bright, and when he got into trouble at work he responded by smashing up the machinery.

Although the Luddites were guilty of criminal acts of vandalism, they nevertheless had a real worry - that the new machines would take their jobs.

There is a long-standing tradition that Lady Jane Grey was involved in the slaying of the last wolf in England. Jane was born at nearby Bradgate House, and was Queen of England for nine days in 1553.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Anstey for groups.