The Melton Mowbray Military History walking tour offers an informative exploration of the town centre, highlighting its extensive military heritage spanning centuries. Participants will learn about the town’s history from the Medieval Period and the Knights Templar up to contemporary times.
GUARANTEE
At HistoryFare, our foremost priority on the Melton Mowbray Military History Tour is to ensure that every customer experiences an exceptional tour.
We are confident that you will find participation in a HistoryFare tour both meaningful and worthwhile. If your experience does not meet your expectations, please inform us.
We will address your concerns by offering either a voucher for a future tour or a full refund. We recognize the value of your time and sincerely appreciate your decision to join us.
DURATION
120 minutes (2 Hours)
MEETING LOCATION
Military Working Dogs memorials outside Melton Borough Council, Parkside, Station Approach, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1GH
FINISH LOCATION
The Market Square.
MAX GROUP SIZE
20
WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Yes
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs and well behaved pets are welcome on the tours.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Professional Guide
- Walking tour through the historic market town of Melton Mowbray, visiting key locations associated with the towns rich and diverse military history.
- Discount Vouchers for local café’s & businesses
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities
- Water
WHAT TO BRING
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Wet weather clothing/umbrellas
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund or a voucher for a future tour. We know that plans can sometimes change and that’s why we offer a generous cancellation policy.
TOUR OVERVIEW
During the Medieval period, Melton Mowbray’s Lords of the Manor joined the Knights Templar on their crusades to the Holy Land. Centuries later, the town saw action in the English Civil War, serving as a Roundhead garrison during numerous skirmishes between 1643 and 1645. In the late nineteenth century, at the height of hunting season, military officers often made Melton their seasonal residence.
One notable resident, Alfred Ernest Allen, fought alongside General Custer during the Battle of Little Bighorn in the Great Sioux War of 1876. After the Boer War, the British Army increased its animal strength, opening two new depots—including No. 3 Remount Depot in Melton Mowbray in 1903, which continues operations today.
Melton also housed two territorial units, the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment and C Squadron of the Leicestershire Yeomanry, both mobilized during WWI. Volunteers from Melton participated in the Second Boer War as well. During the First World War, No. 38 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps established its headquarters in town and operated from nearby airfields. To care for wounded soldiers from the Western Front, Wicklow Lodge on Burton Road was converted into a VAD hospital with 50 beds; from January 1915 to April 1919, it treated 1,484 patients, most arriving by train from Leicester’s 5th Northern General Hospital.
In WWII, the Remount Depot continued training horses and welcomed the Cypriot Mule Company and paratroopers from the 11th Battalion Parachute Regiment, who were based there from May 1944 until replaced by the 3rd Battalion upon returning from Arnhem. Throughout town, various buildings sheltered the 156 Battalion Parachute Regiment until their disbandment after Arnhem. A new airfield opened between Melton and Great Dalby in 1943 to service and deliver aircraft overseas for the RAF, USAAF, and French Air Force.
Nearby villages hosted additional airborne units, including the 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment billeted at Somerby, Burrough Hill, and Thorpe Satchville. AAF Station 520—at Gaddesby Hall and Ashby Folville—was home to American Black GI units from the Quartermaster Truck Battalion and Ordnance Depot Company, succeeding British forces known as ‘The Shropshire Gunners’ of the 6th Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry before their conversion to field artillery.
The Midland Woodworking Company factory in Melton took over production of the Horsa glider nose section after bombing raids forced its relocation from Norwich. The Royal Naval Stores Division ran a warehouse in town that exclusively stocked Melton cloth Navy Pea Jackets and Pork Pie hats.
Following WWII, RAF Melton Mowbray closed and became a hub for the Polish Resettlement Corps, welcoming thousands of former Polish servicemen and their families. Since 1946, Melton has trained military working dogs, initially for the Army at the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Remount Depot. In 1991, the RAF Police Dog Training School merged with RAVC in Melton, creating the Defence Animal Centre—now called the Defence Animal Training Regiment.
The airfield reopened in the 1950s during the Cold War to accommodate No. 254 (Strategic Missile) Squadron, which deployed three Thor nuclear missiles on site.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Explore in confidence with HistoryFare.
Book directly with HistoryFare to get the best price on our tours. If you find it cheaper within 3 days of booking, we’ll refund the difference.
BOOK NOW
For the full list of current tour dates, see the events page by clicking here.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Standard Terms and Conditions
IMPORTANT
Whilst we do accept walk-up participants, HistoryFare Tours regularly sell out. To avoid missing out and to get your preferred choice of tour date, we highly recommend booking now.
MAKE IT PRIVATE
The Melton Mowbray Military History walking tour can also be booked as a private tour so if this is something your are interested in, please send a message via the HistoryFare Contact page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
To view my other Melton Mowbray tours, click here.
HISTORYFARE’S ACCESSIBILITY PROMISE
HistoryFare is committed to making travel more inclusive for everyone. Clear, honest information about accessibility is provided wherever required.
The guided walks are designed to provide a step free access or alternative locations to ensure all points of interest can be enjoyed by all wherever possible.
Parking facilities, step-free access, senior-friendly routes, and accessible attractions are all taken into consideration when developing a HistoryFare guided tour.
We listen to customers feedback and continuously improve our services to better serve all travellers. If you have a question about accessibility issues, then please get in touch to see how we can help.
MOBILITY HIRE
If you need to hire a mobility scooter or a wheel chair to enable you to access HistoryFare Tours, these are available for hire from ShopMobility Melton Mowbray, subject to a small hire charge and availability. Please visit their website for contact details.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
