Visiting Getting Here Getting Here The Bradgate Park Estate is located on the edge of Charnwood Forest. It lies 6 miles north-west of Leicester and 7 miles south of Loughborough. Most routes close to Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood are marked with ‘White on brown’ tourism signs. A number of footpaths cross both sites and allow pedestrian access at all times. We provide uncovered bike stands at our car parks and Visitor Centre for pedestrian cycles. Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood are free to enter and are open throughout the year, with car parks and toilets open from 8am until dusk. Car parking charges apply, and it is this income that assists the Bradgate Park Trust (a local charity) in our work to care for these special places and provide the facilities and events we offer visitors. The car parks are closed at dusk and all vehicles must be removed by then. Please note toilets close earlier than car parks. Click here to download a Map of Bradgate Park showing car parks, visitor information and access areas. By Road The main car park for Bradgate Park is within a 10 minute drive of Junction 22 of the M1. Follow the A50 (eastwards) to Markfield and turn left to Newtown Linford. Car park is next to the village church. From Leicester leave by A50 (westwards) and then head for Anstey (via B5327). From here continue on B5327 to Newtown Linford – or to Cropston (B5328) and then B5330 (if heading for Hallgates or Swithland Wood (South) car parks). Swithland Wood (north) car park is situated south of the village of Woodhouse Eaves. From locations lying to the west of M1, take A511 (to J22 of M1) and then proceed on A50 to Markfield (see above). For further details of routes – see Map above. Car Park Postcodes and Charges For satnav: use the following postcodes: Bradgate Park Newtown Linford car park LE6 0HB – The main car park - entrance within the village, off Bradgate Road, alongside the Church. Toilets and Changing Places facility. Best for the Conservatory Tearoom, the River Lin, Little Matlock and the Ruins. Can get very busy at peak times as this is the Main entrance and leads to most picturesque areas of Park. If you are looking for peace and quiet on a busy day or just a different walk, you may like to try one of our other car parks. We open overflow car parks when busy as needed, when conditions allow (as these are grassed and on slopes). Hunts Hill (Old John) car park LE6 0AH (off Sharpley Hill/Warren Hill and opposite turn into Benscliffe Road) – The closest car park to Old John and the War Memorial. This is the best car park for exploring the Upper Park and getting some peace and quiet. Toilets a short walk away (not wheelchair accessible). Hallgates (Cropston) car park LE7 7HQ – the shortest walk to the Deer Barn Tearoom and Visitor Centre. Short walk across fields to Swithland Wood. Toilets (including wheelchair accessible). We have an overflow grassed area we open as needed on busy days for extra parking. Swithland Wood Two car parks are situated at the north and south entrances to the Wood. The car parks are closed at dusk and all vehicles should be removed by then. Swithland Wood (south) – (off Roecliffe Road). Wood lies to north of Bradgate Park. (Use Post Code LE12 8TN for SatNav) Swithland Wood (north) – (off Swithland Lane). Nearest car park to village of Woodhouse Eaves (Use Post Code LE12 8SS for SatNav). Click here to download a Map of Bradgate Park showing car parks, visitor information and access areas. Parking Charges: Parking charges apply at all car parks and are for an all day ticket. Pay and Display parking tickets are valid at all our car parks on the day of issue – if you want to move the car to explore a different part of the Park, you do not need to pay again! Please note that, as the parking charge in Swithland Wood is cheaper, you can use a Bradgate Park ticket in Swithland Wood but you cannot use a ticket purchased at Swithland Wood in a Bradgate Park car park. Machines take cash only (except for one machine nearest the Tearoom at Newtown Linford that can take card payments), so please bring the correct change, as machines do not take notes/give change. For motorbikes, please pay and carry the ticket with you if you can not fix it on your vehicle. Tickets must be displayed correct face up (full guidance on how to input numbers and display tickets is on machines). We have invested in sticky tickets for windows for the main Bradgate Park machines. Please check your ticket before you leave your car. Please do not 'pass on' day tickets, as a charity we have to raise over £1 million pounds a year to care for the Park and your car parking contribution assists us greatly in this target. The Trust does work with an external company regarding enforcement and non-payment may result in a fine. Please ensure as you leave your car the ticket is displayed correctly (not having blown as you close your car doors) with the correct details entered and clearly showing. Our machines offer clear guidance on how to enter details. Parking for Coaches (large) is available at Bradgate Park Newtown Linford and Hunts Hill car parks. Regarding coach parking at Netwtown Linford please contact our Estate Office in advance. There is no coach parking at Swithland Wood due to access availability. Please note that Blue Badge holders are not exempt from parking charges and must purchase a Pay and Display ticket. There are marked bays close to the Park entrance at Newtown Linford and Hallgates car parks. Regular visitors with a Blue Badge can benefit from concessionary rates on season ticket purchases. Bradgate Park Car parking is Pay and Display for all day parking and you can move between Park car parks: Car/Small Van/Motorcycle Monday – Friday £3.00 (excluding bank holidays); Weekends/Bank Holidays £4.00 Mini-Coach/Large Van/Motor-home: 7 Days/week incl Bank Holidays £6.00 Coach: 7 Days/week incl Bank Holidays £12.00 Regarding coach parking at Netwtown Linford please contact our Estate Office in advance. Horse Box/Trailer: 7 Days/week incl Bank Holidays £6.00 If you are a regular visitor you may wish to consider buying a season ticket. Swithland Wood Car parking is Pay and Display (cash only, machines do not take notes or give change) The car parking charge is £1 for up to 3 hours and £2 for a full day at Swithland Wood. If you are a frequent visitor you may wish to consider a season ticket for car parking as this covers all five sites on the Bradgate Park Trust Estate and can significantly save you money. Tickets must be displayed correct face up (full guidance on how to input numbers and display tickets is on machines). We have invested in sticky tickets for windows in main Bradgate Park car park machines. Please check your ticket before you leave your car in all car parks. A fixed penalty ticket policy is in force to ensure effective enforcement of parking charges at all car parks. Unauthorised parking, or display of an invalid/out of date ticket will incur penalties as advertised in all car parks through our enforcement contractor, Spring Parking Limited, who are a member of the British Parking Associations' Approved Operator Scheme. By Rail: Regular train services to Leicester and Loughborough. Taxis available at stations. By Air: East Midlands Airport – 15 miles (via M1 to J22). By Bus: The Traveline East Midlands website has details of all local bus services. The 120 service from Leicester to Coalville runs 6 times a day during the week (5 on Saturdays, no Sunday service) and stops in Newtown Linford close to the Park entrance. The 154 service from Leicester to Loughborough can be used to visit Swithland Wood or access Bradgate Park at Hallgates, with stops at both Swithland and Cropston. This runs Monday to Saturday, but not on Sundays. Click here to download a Map of Bradgate Park showing car parks, visitor information and access areas.