About the event

Join artist Mita Solanky for a walk around Fruit Routes – our edible route of hundreds of fruit and nut trees and bushes on the Loughborough University campus.

We will enjoy the fleeting pleasures of walking in the blossoming Fruit Routes orchards and guessing what fruit will come from each tree.  We’ll open up our senses as we walk through the sights and smells of spring in full flow. And we’ll share what our dream fruits would be over special spring refreshments picnic.

This is the fourth in a series of walks following the seasons with our senses and connecting in embodied ways to experience nature. The next walk will take place on Friday 9 May 2025. Look out for details on this website nearer to the date.

The walk will start and end at the Barefoot Orchard, located next to the Paddock and (almost) opposite Pilkington library. Look for the Fruit Routes information board near the Geography Weather Station.

This event is free and all are welcome (students, staff and the local community). We recommend booking in advance to help us manage numbers and keep you informed should we need to make any changes to the event due to the weather. We will be walking along running routes and natural paths, so please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather!

Bring your own picnic blanket or a cushion if you have one, there will be cover in case the weather is unpredictable!

Book your free place on the walk

Accessibility

Barefoot Orchard is on level ground. The route is not always on structured paths but is mostly flat. Some parts of the route are not accessible for wheelchair users or buggies so we do not recommend attending if this applies to you. If you have any specific accessibility requirements that you think we should know about, please let us know in advance by emailing Sustainability@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk or LUArts@lboro.ac.uk and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Photography

Photography will be taking place at this event. If you do not give your consent to being photographed and it being used for future publicity purposes by Loughborough University, Fruit Routes and LU Arts, then please alert the photographer on the day.

Getting here

For information on travelling to the University campus visit the location webpage on the University website.

Attendees to Fruit Routes events are encouraged to walk, cycle, take public, or shared transport to the events.

Parking

Students, staff and visitors are required to register their vehicle and pay to park on campus. Visitors should use the main entrance on Epinal Way. The nearest car park is opposite Pilkington Library.

For information on registering and paying to park please visit the parking pages of the University website.