For those of us who work close to New Walk it can be easy to take theis gem of Leicester for granted. It was laid out in 1785 but was still a path through fields in 1804. Today it remains a pedestrian-only path (despite the herds of cyclists) and is part of the New Walk Conservation Area. When he arrived as Leicester's Chief Planning Officer in the 1960s Konrad Smigielski declared Leicester to be 'drab' and 'depressing' but found a glint of hope in New Walk, and thanks to him it became one of the very earliest conservation areas. The picture shows the top of New Walk which was developed in the 1880s, later than the northern section. A full description of everything to do with New Walk can be found here: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/ep/planning/designandconservation/conservationareas/conservationareasleicester/new-walk/
