Bradgate Park
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Bradgate Park is Leicestershire’s only medieval deer park, covering 850 acres of Charnwood Forest northwest of Leicester.
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What's on here
Why go
- Bradgate Park was Lady Jane Grey’s childhood home.
- Rocks here include some of Western Europe’s oldest known developed fossil animal life.
- Evidence of human sites dating to 14,500 years ago appears in the visitor centre’s archaeology exhibit.
- Dogs may be off lead across about three quarters of the park if controlled and kept from disturbing deer.
Opening hours
Today08:00 – 20:30Show all
Monday08:00 – 20:30
Tuesday08:00 – 20:30
Wednesday08:00 – 20:30
Thursday08:00 – 20:30
Friday08:00 – 20:30
Saturday08:00 – 20:30
Sunday08:00 – 20:30
Entrances
- Newtown LinfordEntrance on Bradgate Road, Newtown Linford.Bradgate Road, Newtown Linford
- HallgatesEntrance with a car park.Hallgates
Don't miss
- Old JohnIn the 19th century, the folly served as a viewing point for a horse-racing practice circuit.On the park’s highest hill
- Bradgate House ruinsA guided park tour can include a brief look at the ruins.West of the visitor centre in the Deer Barn buildings
- River LinFollow the river’s course through the landscape towards Cropston Reservoir, which occupies part of the grounds.
- Deer Barn visitor centreDisplays explore the park’s origins, history, wildlife and estate heritage; entry is free.East of Bradgate House
What you see
- Rocky moorland is covered with coarse grass and bracken.
- Pale, smooth Beacon Hill Formation rocks are visible north of Old John.
- Crags below Old John include layered Sliding Stone Slump Breccia.
- Across the stream from Bradgate House, exposed clay shows where material for the house’s bricks was extracted.
- Glacial deposits across the park include clay, sand, pebbles, stones and boulders.
- Abundant birdlife lives in the park.
Facilities
- Café One is at the Newtown Linford car park; another is in the Deer Barns.
- Shop At the visitor centre; sells goods, venison and ice cream.
Photo spots
- Old John and war memorial summitsFrame the hilltop landmarks with the exposed Beacon Hill Formation rocks.Near Old John and the war memorial summits
- Rock outcrop above Cropston ReservoirThe outcrop belongs to the Hanging Rocks Formation.Overlooking Cropston Reservoir
- Lin valleyDiorite cliffs and blocks line the valley, including Little Matlock Gorge and the area near Bradgate House.Little Matlock Gorge and near Bradgate House
Shorts
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Old memories Old John watchtower at Bradgate Park in Newtown Linford …Hatter John’s Uk Pilgrim Adventures
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Deers at Bradgate Parkconnect to nature
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The castle at Bradgate parkRamel Travel
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Bradgate Park ,Leicester,uk .”some times roaming in nature make you l…Travel with me Uk vlogs
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Bradgate Park Leicester |Amir Maghfoor
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Bradgate Park | LeicestershireTRY UK
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Bradgate ParkAnna@Bella
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A group of Deer at Bradgate Park a mixture of Stags and hinds near Ab…Hatter John’s Uk Pilgrim Adventures
History
The park formed part of the medieval Manor of Groby. The Grey family held the estate for about 500 years and opened the grounds to the public several days a week in the 19th century.
- Medieval timesThe park had deer enclosures made with a bank, ditch and oak fencing.
- 1241The park was mentioned as an established hunting park.
- Around 1520Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, likely completed Bradgate House.
- 1537Lady Jane Grey was probably born at Bradgate House in October.
- 1784The Greys built Old John on the park’s highest hill.
Show all
- 1871Cropston Reservoir was built as Leicester’s second reservoir after cholera outbreaks in 1831 and 1841; it flooded parkland and the Head Keeper’s house.
- 1928Charles Bennion bought the park, established the Bradgate Park Trust and gave the park in perpetuity to the people of Leicestershire.
- July 2016The visitor centre opened in the Deer Barn buildings; Sir David Attenborough performed its official opening.
How to get there
- BusThe limited 125 service connects the Newtown Linford entrance with Leicester city centre and Coalville Monday to Saturday. Arriva 29B runs infrequently on Sundays.
- ParkingAt Newtown Linford, number plates are read automatically and parking payment is made on exit.
- On footA signposted path from Link Road crosses fields before entering the park.
- On footA route from beside the last houses on Bradgate Road joins the main path at the village edge.
- BikeThe park is within easy cycling distance of Leicester city centre.
Sources: Bradgate Park - Wikipedia · The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity · Visitor Centre & Shop | The Bradgate Park & Swi… · Group Visits & Community Talks | The Bradgate P… · Learning outside the classroom · checked 6 Oct 2026
Where
Bradgate Road, Newtown Linford
- Website
- bradgatepark.org/
- Phone
- +441162362713
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
Can I bring my dog to Bradgate Park?
Dogs may be off lead across about three quarters of the park if controlled and kept from disturbing deer.
Can I investigate fossils or collect rocks at Bradgate Park?
Ask Bradgate Park Trust for permission before investigating fossil locations. Do not chip, hammer, sample, replicate or remove rocks.
Can I enter Bradgate Park’s woodland spinneys?
No. The walled woodland spinneys are closed to visitors.
What are Bradgate Park’s opening hours?
The park is open daily from 08:00 to 20:30.
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