Exploring Leicester: Bradgate Park

So you have a whole day off and want to do something other than staying in bed watching Netflix?

Bradgate Park is the perfect please to spend a day outside in the countryside!

First of all how to get there: Walk/Uber to St Margaret’s Bus Station and get the 120 bus at 11.13am (a return costs about £3 I think), which will get you to Newtown Linford for 11.36am.

Then it’s just a short walk through the beautiful village of Newtown Linford to Bradgate park.

The park is 830 acres, that has a lot of history as the home of Lady Jane Grey. She was queen of England for 9 days. She was related to Henry V111  (the granddaughter of  his younger sister Mary). Following the death of Edward V1, who was her cousin, she became queen, but the crown was taken by Mary 1 nine days later. She was beheaded on the charge of treason and it is said that the Oak trees at Bradgate Park were beheaded as a mark of respect. The ruins of the house still stand in the grounds today and sometimes they are open for visitors to explore. There is also a visitor centre in the centre of the park which has more information about the history of the park (It closes at 4pm).

The ruins in Bradgate Park

The park is the perfect place for a walk and a picnic is the weather’s good!

Or if it’s not (which it often isn’t lets be honest) there are plenty of cute tearooms in Newtown Linford! Jade’s Tearoom is my personal favourite (although I’m biased because I used to work there), their cakes are to die for!

Then get the 5.05pm bus home to Leicester for 5.35pm!

So I hope that has given you an idea for a day out in Leicestershire!

B x