Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicester LE6 0HE
Bradgate Park
Parkland
Source image
8.2
Wildland
Half day
Time
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Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.2A former deer park where rugged rocky outcrops and old oaks frame the ruins of Bradgate House, childhood home of Lady Jane Grey.
Bradgate Park has more than scale: its rocky uplands, veteran oaks, roaming deer and evocative house ruins make a substantial stretch of countryside feel wild, with a deep historical story close to Leicester.
Wild · Dramatic · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicester LE6 0HE
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The experience
Start at the Deer Barns Visitor Centre, then choose between the accessible lower park and its River Lin scenery or a walk uphill towards Old John Tower and the rocky views. Make time for Bradgate House’s ruins and the free exhibition on the estate’s natural and human history.
Things to do
See the ruins of Bradgate House
Explore the remains of the early brick-built country house associated with Lady Jane Grey’s childhood.
Walk to Old John Tower
Find the eighteenth-century folly on the park’s highest point, with the Yeomanry War Memorial on the nearby hill.
Follow the River Lin through the lower park
Visit the river, described by the park as Leicestershire’s shortest, and look for its Victorian-designed shallow waterfalls.
Explore Little Matlock
Walk through the Victorian-designed landscape, where the official park account notes exotic plantings including Monkey Puzzle trees.
Visit the Deer Barns Visitor Centre
See the free exhibition about the Bradgate Estate’s natural and human history. Check current opening information before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick escape: river and ruins
- 01
Begin at the Deer Barns Visitor Centre and, if open, see its exhibition on the estate’s natural and human history.
- 02
Take the lower park’s tarmac carriageway towards the River Lin and Little Matlock.
- 03
Visit the ruins of Bradgate House before returning the way you came.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: from river to Old John
- 01
Start at the Deer Barns Visitor Centre and café; check opening information before relying on either.
- 02
Explore the lower park, River Lin and Little Matlock.
- 03
Continue uphill to Old John Tower and the Yeomanry War Memorial if conditions and your chosen route suit.
- 04
Finish at Bradgate House and spend time with the ruins.
Verified history
Bradgate Park was enclosed as a deer park around 800 years ago. Bradgate House, described by the park as one of England’s earliest brick-built country houses, was the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey, who became queen in 1553. The house is now a ruin protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The park’s official account dates the Yeomanry War Memorial near Old John Tower to 1924; it commemorates members of the Leicestershire Yeomanry who died in the Boer War and the two World Wars.
Hidden details
The River Lin’s Victorian waterfalls — The park’s account says Victorians created shallow waterfalls to clear silt from the river, which feeds Cropston Reservoir.
The memorial beside Old John — The Yeomanry War Memorial is an obelisk with two bronze tablets, erected in 1924.
Monkey Puzzle trees at Little Matlock — The park identifies Monkey Puzzle trees among the exotic plantings in its Victorian-designed landscape.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources.
The park’s official website says the landscape changes through the seasons but does not specify peak months or seasonal highlights.
The upper park includes hills and rocky outcrops; check current conditions and choose a route appropriate to the weather and your mobility.
What to look for
Look for the gnarled old oaks, rocky outcrops and the brick ruins of Bradgate House. At Old John, notice the nearby Yeomanry War Memorial and its two bronze tablets. Along the River Lin, the official park site describes shallow waterfalls created in the Victorian period.
The story
Deer park, Bradgate House and Lady Jane Grey
Best time to go
The official site describes seasonal changes across the landscape but does not specify a best season. Visit when the weather suits the terrain and check current conditions.
The supplied sources do not identify a particular best time of day. Check current opening and access information before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
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Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 8am-8:30pm
- Tuesday: 8am-8:30pm
- Wednesday: 8am-8:30pm
- Thursday: 8am-8:30pm
- Friday: 8am-8:30pm
- Saturday: 8am-8:30pm
- Sunday: 8am-8:30pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The park’s official website describes 830 acres of publicly accessible countryside. Check current access information before visiting.
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Parking
Google-sourced details indicate paid parking, but the available sources do not establish its location or current terms. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
The source row reports public toilets and an accessible toilet; check current availability before visiting.
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Food & drink
The official website identifies a café at the Deer Barns Visitor Centre. Check current opening information before visiting.
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Dogs
The source row indicates dogs are allowed, but does not give restrictions. Check current park guidance and signage.
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Accessibility
The official website says the lower park has a tarmac carriageway suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The source row also reports an accessible car park, entrance and toilet; check current access details before visiting.
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Cost
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Water
River
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Bradgate Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph7.1Hill Hole Nature Reserve
Hill Lane, near Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9UD
5.4 km away
Source image6.5Cossington Meadows
Syston Road, west of Cossington village, Leicestershire, LE7 4UZ
6.5 km away
