Bradgate Park Walk

Bradgate Park Walk

After our windmill walk last week, it was great to be able to get outside again and go out for a slightly longer walk. I briefly lived and worked in Leicester and remembered that there was some lovely countryside surrounding it. Once again I checked out OS Maps for inspiration and this led me to Bradgate Park, just north of the city. This week I remembered to download the route and we set off up the M1.

Here’s the route of our walk from OS Maps

I decided to park in the Hunts Hill car park (LE6 0AH), as that is the closest one to Old John Tower. It cost £3 on a weekday and £4 on weekends and bank holidays for a full day parking and has toilets. There is another car park in Newtown Linford at the bottom of the park, which is great for pushchairs as there is a tarmac path from there up past the reservoir and visitors centre.

From the car park it was a short, sharp  walk up to the tower.

It’s a bit of a scramble up to the tower

 

Once you’re up there though, it’s a lovely view

From the tower, we headed down the hill, past the ruins of Bradgate House and towards Cropston Reservoir.

We headed down the hill, you can just make out the tower in the background

There are guided tours of the Bradgate House ruins in the summer months

At the ruins we picked up the tarmac path for a while. This runs from the Newtown Linford car park, past the visitor centre to Roecliffe Road. We stopped at the tearoom for a breather and snack stop. I’d brought along a flask of tea, but had forgotten to put milk in it. D’oh! Up until that point I felt very clever. Anyway, after buying a glass of milk and a cake, we had a lovely break looking over the water.

There is a tearoom and picnic benches outside the visitor centre with lovely views over the reservoir

Once we reached the road, we turned left and followed the wall of the deer enclosure back up the hill towards the car. It was quite muddy which made it a long hard slog, especially for Luke who had Finn on his back. Luckily the views made it worthwhile.

The view towards Cropston Reservoir as we made our weary way back up the hill

It was all a bit too much for Finn

I can’t believe that we’d never been to Bradgate Park before. Such a lovely place for a stroll, it looked great in winter but we can’t wait to go back and see it in the spring and summer. There’s also parts that we didn’t get to explore, like the war memorial.

Have you discovered anywhere new lately?

Related

Comments

  • Hillexplorer Hillexplorer February 22, at 08:34

    Nice post – There’s the war memorial not far from old John Tower which also makes a great viewpoint. Not far from Bradgate Park, there’s also Beacon Hill country park which has good paths and makes a nice walk – if you’re ever up that way again.

    Reply
    • The Helpful Hiker The Helpful Hiker February 22, at 19:06

      We’ll definitely be back. I remembered it being a good area for walking and it didn’t disappoint!

      Reply
  • Shell @ Camping With Style Shell @ Camping With Style February 24, at 08:24

    Loving your photographs, really lovely scenery. It’s great discovering somewhere new – looks like it was a great choice!

    Reply
  • whereangellstread whereangellstread February 24, at 18:52

    Nice walk. We had twins, now grown up, We were certainly not as brave as you. Well done and really good write up-thanks!

    Reply
  • Christine @afamilyday Christine @afamilyday February 26, at 08:25

    I don’t think I’ve ever visited or walked anywhere in Leicestershire so it is lovely to see your photographs – and realise what I’ve missed out on. It’s one of those counties that I’ve driven through many times without thinking to stop – and your photos encourage me to put this right!

    Reply
  • Sonia Sonia February 26, at 14:28

    What a great view from the top and a really interesting walk. There’s so many hidden treasures to discover! #countrykidsfun

    Reply
  • Fiona - Coombe Mill Fiona - Coombe Mill February 26, at 23:13

    Well that was no exaggeration about a short step climb to the tower. The views are indeed amazing and I do love a poke around old ruins. I bet the summer tours of the house are fascinating. A gorgeous looking rugged walk, I hope you do get to return in summer. I’m curious how the landscape will look then.

    Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Jacqui (@JaxFortyNorth) Jacqui (@JaxFortyNorth) February 27, at 14:06

    Wow, what a gorgeous place!! Love your photos – especially all those stunning ruins – and how adorable is Finn? xx #hmcapturingmoments

    Reply
  • Claire at Tin Box Traveller Claire at Tin Box Traveller February 27, at 16:29

    What fabulous views and interesting ruins. Forgetting the milk is just the type of thing I do. However, great excuse for a slice of cake to keep you going 🙂 #countrykids

    Reply
  • beautiful ruins! #mondayescapes

    Reply
  • Lolo Lolo February 27, at 19:36

    A hike that leads to a castle!? Now that’s my kind of hike! #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  • Travelling With Our Kids Travelling With Our Kids February 28, at 21:19

    This looks a great place for a hike. Cant beat a castle either so it makes for a great day out #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  • Sarah Sarah March 01, at 22:42

    This looks like an amazing place for a hike! The tower looks amazing! #HMCapturingMoments

    Reply
  • Cheryl | TimeToCraft Cheryl | TimeToCraft March 02, at 11:00

    Love it when we find a new place like this one. Especially one with fabulous views. Always good when there is a cafe to stop at too. I would have forgotten the thermos, let alone the milk. #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Helena Helena March 02, at 18:48

    I think my husband’s first stop would be the war memorial! I personally like the ruins. #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Mini Travellers Mini Travellers March 04, at 10:54

    The picture of Finn at the end is so very cute. Your posts are always really good at giving you an idea of what you’ll find on the walks. Thanks! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes

    Reply
  • Trish @ Mum's Gone To Trish @ Mum's Gone To March 08, at 17:02

    This is what I need to do – research some proper routes for walking. This will help on days when I say, “Where shall we go today?”
    This looks a super little walk and with a tearoom too!
    #Mondayescapes

    Reply
  • Sarah Christie Sarah Christie March 08, at 20:29

    This looks such a beautiful walk, but for me the highlight would be the Tower I just love the pic looking up at the tower. Thanks os much for linking up #Mondayescapes

    Reply
  • Happy Mummy Happy Mummy March 17, at 16:15

    Wow what beautiful architecture set against a backdrop of stunning landscapes. You always seem to visit the most amazing places. Thank you so much for linking up to #HMCapturingMoments x

    Reply
  • Jenny- Rabbit Ideas Jenny- Rabbit Ideas January 31, at 12:44

    This walk looks great- the view from the top certainly looks worth the climb up! #adventurecalling

    Reply
  • Emma - Hip2trek Emma - Hip2trek January 31, at 14:00

    Sounds like a great walk, I know my Son would love the scramble up to the tower and a tearoom selling cake! #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • naomi naomi January 31, at 18:32

    love, love LOVE the rocks – so much fun to climb and the ruins look amazing. my kinda walk! #adventurecalling

    Reply
  • Wow, that place looks really exciting! #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • Urska Urska February 01, at 10:38

    After reading your posts, I’m always impressed how gorgeous is English countryside. This place is no exception. 🙂 #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • Lauren Lauren February 01, at 12:59

    it looks fab. Rowan would also love that scramble up to the tower. And it’s always fab when you find a new place to explore.

    #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • Tim Tim February 01, at 14:45

    Great photos. Looks like an awesome walk. I am glad my 2 girls can propel themselves now – I don’t miss carrying them on my back – although it’s great exercise. I’m looking forward to getting out there this weekend #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • Kids of the Wild Kids of the Wild February 05, at 12:35

    I love ruins, both of these look great and a good scramble to the tower to build up an appetite. too. We’ve just discovered a new walk on the Northumberland Moors near us, glorious in crisp winter weather. Just joining your linky for the first time #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • Ashley Beolens Ashley Beolens February 08, at 15:40

    Looks a fabulous place for a walk, I lobe a walk that contains old buildings as well as amazing scenery #AdventureCalling

    Reply
  • David - Potty Adventures David - Potty Adventures February 13, at 08:11

    This looks like a great walk. My eldest would certainly relish the scramble up to the tower. Plus, the views at the top look lovely. #adventurecalling

    Reply
  • This looks like a lovely family walk. My gang would love to explore that tower, and so would I – I’m a sucker for old stones! Beautiful photos too.
    #Adventurecalling

    Reply

Post Reply

Click here to cancel reply.