The National Forest

Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Country Park

Bradgate park is an historic Mediaeval deer park in the heart of the ancient Charnwood Forest. It retains much of its original landscape with small woods, grassy slopes and rocky outcrops. Swithland Wood - 146 acres of Ancient Woodland.

Bradgate Park is Leicestershire's largest, most visited country park and was originally created as a deer park in the ancient Charnwood Forest. Red and fallow deer can still be seen feeding among the bracken.

Grassy paths provide a variety of walks with views over nearby Cropston Reservoir and the city of Leicester. A tarmac carriageway through the park gives limited access for wheelchair users.

An important part of the history of the Park are the ruins of Bradgate House, home to Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen for nine days before being beheaded in 1554. Another prominant landmark is the Old John Tower, a folly built on a hilltop in 1786.

The park includes a visitor centre, which contains displays on its history, geology, flora and fauna. Please note that there is an admission charge for the visitor centre.

A leaflet on the geology of the site, 'A Geological Walk Around Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood', is also available.

Description of Facilities

On site toilets, restaurant/cafe, gift shop, picnic area, site ranger/tour guide available (booking required - please contact Bradgate Park for prices etc).

Disabled Facilities:

Please contact Bradgate Park for details.

Loads to see and do key

Car Parking

Children Welcome

Coach Parking

Disabled Parking

Disabled Toilets

Dogs Allowed

Gift Shop

Horse Riding Trails

Information Centre

Open All Year

Picnic Area

Restaurant/Café

Toilets

Walking Trails

Wheelchair Access

Woodland key

Bus Service

Cycling

Disabled Access

Grassy Paths

Information

Parking

Picnic Facilities

Refreshments

Riding

Surfaced Paths

Viewpoint

Walking

Horse Riding Facilities

Routes:
A network of interconnecting concessionary horse riding tracks are waymarked (with a yellow flash) across Bradgate Park and link with the main entrances at Newtown Linford, Hallgates and Hunts Hill.

Please visit Bradgate Park’s website for further information and details of opening times etc at http://www.bradgatepark.org/79/Horse_Riding/

Permit:
No, but please adhere to the restrictions on time of use.

Bridleways:
External links to Swithland Woods and Swithland from Hallgates.

Cycling information

Cyclists permitted on tarmac path that crosses through the park.  This is flat, wide and good for families although can get very busy at weekends.  It also passes the tearooms and toilets. 

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