Bradgate Country Park
Newton Linford, Leicestershire
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Location Guide |
Bradgate Park is in the middle of a village, Newtown Linford,
Leicestershire, and is a 850 acre public park in the Charnwood Forest.
It is known to have belonged to the de Ferrers family of Groby in
the thirteenth century. Later owners included the Greys, of the Lady Jane Grey
family, who was Queen for nine days following the death of Edward VI.
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Famous for its herd of fallow and red deer, the former being much more
numerous than the latter. The use of the park for deer probably arises from
the poor agricultural properties of the land. This can still be seen in the
way that the leading branches of trees like oak have died back.
Other
wildlife you may come across include:
moles, common shrews, pigmy shrews, bats, voles, mice, foxes, stoats,
weasels and badgers, all of which have been spotted in the park. However it
is perhaps less well known for being the habitat of over 500 species of
beetle. The reservoir and river also attracts many species of wildfowl.
Deer
at Bradgate
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There is a folly at the top of the hill is called Old John and is believed to be
named after an old retainer of the fifth Earl of Stamford, who erected it in
his memory after John, the retainer, was killed accidentally here. Other
structures include the ruins of Bradgate House, chapel and ruined tower.
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Location: Bradgate Country Park, Newton
Linford, Leicestershire |
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Grid Reference: SK523098 |
Ceremonial County:
Leicestershire |
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Map Link:
Multimap
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Aerial photo:
Multimap Aerial
Google Aerial Photo
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Getting there: M1 J22 Take A50 to Leicester at
roundabout take the road on left to Newtown Linford. |
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Access: 3 entrances: the main entrance in
Newtown Linford. Also Cropston (Hallgates) and Old John (Hunts Hill).
Swithland wood has two entrances, north and south. Public foot paths run
through the area. Pay & Display car parks at Cropston Reservoir, Newton
Linford and Hunts Hill (at the top of the park near Old John). |
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Website:
Go Leicestershire
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Other Useful Websites:
Wiki
The Visitor Centre
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Email: |
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Address: Bradgate Country Park, Estate Office,
Deer Barn Buildings, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire |
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Postcode: LE6 0HE |
Telephone: 0116 236 2713 |
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Opening Times: From dawn to dusk. |
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Charges: Free entry. Pay and Display Car Parks |
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Nearby Locations: |
Other Location Pages: Deer
Topic Index
Where to Photograph Deer
in the UK
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Notes: Visitor centre with cafe at Newton
Linford.
Disabled access along tarmac path through
centre of park. During the summer months by arrangement you can drive
through the centre of the park on Thursdays (NOT between end of October and
1st April).
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Page Ref: bradgate_park |
Classification:
Country Parks
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Date Updated: 10/2008 |
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