In a booklet recently discovered as part of an auction acquisition (thanks to Andrew W. King) the Aylestone Boathouse is described in sumptuous detail.

 

The booklets title:

Leisure hours amid delightful scenery and cooling waterways at Aylestone Boathouse

...sets the tone.

 

 

Looking at the area today, nature has certainly taken a hold. Some may see this as environmental reclamation, but most others as neglect. Take a look at what Leicester once had to offer with boating and swimming promoted shamelessly in Aylestone. If only we had celebrated our waterways throughout the 70s and onwards they may still have been in use today.

 

Do you know what it is like to feel so healthy - so full of life that your very finger tips pulse for the joy of it. With the ills of winter gone, and in their place glorious sunshine, delightful scenery, wonderfully cool waters, and the charm of out-door association. There are the multi-coloured toilettes upon the river, the uniform whites of the tennis lawns, the restful gardens with their fashionable patronage. The summer sunshine fills us with the zest of life; and yet it is hard to realise that such pleasures and such scenes can be obtained within such close proximity to our city  -  and yet all these are every day experiences at the Aylestone Boathouse.

Hours of Idling

...under the willow and aspen trees, slowly sunbathing despite the multi-coloured parasols. Sipping lemonade or having tea from the well-ordered Boathouse Cafe; this is just one simple way - and yet a delightful one - of spending our summer's leasure at the Aylestone Boathouse.

The orchestra will play in the gardens on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 3-5p.m.

Boating.

Yes! that's a most fashionable and desirable thing to do. Everybody boats in the sunshine. Some row, other paddle - whiles others prefer to pole their way along, but whichever you choose - the river's the place for a summer's day.

Picnic baskets may be obtained from the Aylestone Boathouse Cafe.

Locks Ahead!

A new set of rollers make it possible for the Aylestone boater to pass by this lock and visit a new reach of water hitherto unknowns to him.

Always remember to ship oars and to remove rudder of rowing boat before passing over rollers (the rollers were removed during the second world war, melted down and used in the construction of tanks).

Kings Reach

...is the newly opened - up water way between King's Lock and Blue Bank Wood. This reach makes a fine rowing course, the opens up some delightful scenery. Upon approaching the wood many pretty picnic spots will be found on the right bank of the waterway.

Punts and canoes may enter the backwaters by means of skids from landing stage opposite Blue Bank Wood.

Mallards Retreat.

From the main stream we enter Mallard's Retreat. To the left will be found Blue Bank Reach, Ratby meadow, the Otter Range and also the grounds of the old historic church - St. John - and old Saxon remain. The scenery and atmosphere of the water course is so delightfully restful that it is difficult to realise the city is in such close proximity. A half-day upon these waters gives one a wonderful change.

The Reaches

...of the backwaters and open pools at Aylestone are amongst the most beautiful water spots in the country, comparing in scenery and in volume of water to the fashionable reaches of Cherwell and the upper reaches or the Cam.

You start in the heat of a summer's day, but soon you are gliding along underneath a canopy of trees, negotiating bend after bend of delightfully cool waterway.

Mr Ray Newcombe of Aylestone said in the Leicester Mercury of June 27, 2011 that he had many fond memories of swimming in the back waters of the canal at both the Porridge Pot and Tattenham Corner. The Porridge Pot was deep enough for diving and Tattenham Corner better suited the less adventurous.

Pool of Nokomis

...If there is one thing better than an hour on the water at Aylestone, it is two or even three. You may then give way to that very English habit of tea drinking. Picnic spots are marked en route.

Just a reminder! Mowing fields are barred.

Lovers of Nature

...will be charmed with the varied vegetation to be found along the backwaters, and during the peaceful hours of the day, many uncommon species of birds, and otters may be seen.

The tours will be made much more interesting by following the sign posts erected, land by referring to the plan provided upon the centre page of this booklet.

 

Old Roman Pack Horse Bridge

...at the entrance to the backwaters is a part of the Old Roman Fosse Road. It is only possible to visit these waters in a punt of a canoe, as in some places the water is not wide enough to enable oars to be used. There is now plenty of water for the former however, as all the shallow places have been deepened.

 

Tennis and Camping.  

Why not the simple life amid delightful scenery. There are many excellent pitches for tents with every facility for swimming and boating in the early hours of the day.

Within 5 minutes of the Aylestone terminus.