New Walk, Leicester

New Walk is a historic pedestrian promenade in Leicester, linking Victoria Park and its surrounding areas-Stoneygate, Evington, and Clarendon Park-to the city center. Just under a mile long, it is one of the few surviving Georgian promenades in England, offering a scenic, vehicle-free route lined with notable buildings, including the Leicester Mercury offices, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, and Holy Cross Priory.

Established by the Corporation of Leicester in 1785, New Walk is believed to trace the path of the ancient Roman Via Devana. Initially named Queen’s Walk in honor of Queen Charlotte, its current name was adopted at an uncertain later date. The promenade was designed as a genteel walkway, with houses built alongside it from the 1820s, set at a mandatory distance of at least ten yards from the path to preserve its open character.

From its inception, New Walk was reserved for pedestrians, prohibiting carriages-a rule that remains in place today. However, modern debates have arisen over cyclists using the path, reflecting ongoing discussions about how best to balance preservation with contemporary urban needs.