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The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity
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  • Opening Times
  1. Visiting
  2. Opening Times

Opening Times

Bradgate Park

Bradgate Park is open to visitors from 8am and closes at sunset no later than 8.30pm in the summer, 365 days a year including holiday seasons.  Lawful use of the public footpath that cross the site are unaffected when the Park is closed. 

Sunset varies so please check online before you visit (external website).  

The Car Parks are closed at sunset no later than 8.30pm in summer, vehicles will not be allowed in after this time . Gates are added at most car parks, with safe egress routes identified. Please note toilets close earlier than car parks. Please note the last car park and toilets to be locked is Newtown Linford.

Three car parks are available for use by visitors, they are located at the main entrance points to Bradgate Park

Parking at Newtown Linford

Newtown Linford (entrance within the village, off Bradgate Road – alongside the Church). This is the  Main entrance and leads to most picturesque areas of Park. Newtown Linford is our busiest car park and, 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. (Use Post Code LE6 OHB for SatNav)

Hallgates (Cropston) (off Roecliffe Road). Nearest car park to Deer Barn Cafe and Visitor Centre. (Use Post Code LE7 7HQ for SatNav)

Hunts Hill (Old John) (off Sharpley Hill/Warren Hill) and opposite turn into Benscliffe Road.  Most convenient for the higher parts of the Park and for Old John Tower and the War Memorial. (Use Post Code LE6 OAH for SatNav)

There are toilet facilities for visitors at the Newtown Linford, Hallgates and Hunts Hill car parks and also in the centre of the Park (at the Deer Barn Buildings). There are wheelchair-accessible toilets at Hallgates and the Deer Barn Buildings and a Changing Places facility at Newtown Linford.

 Please see parking charges page for full details: Parking charges

Regular visitors may wish to consider purchasing a season ticket (details here)


Swithland Wood

Swithland Wood is open to visitors throughout the year during daylight hours, with car parks accessible from 7am. 

Lawful use of the public footpath that cross the site are unaffected when closed. 

The Car Parks are closed at dusk and all vehicles must be removed by then. Car Parking is Pay and Display (cash only)

Two car parks are situated at the north and south entrances to the Wood:-

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).

Deer Barn Tearoom

Cafe, Shop and Visitor Centre at Bradgate Park

The Bradgate Park Trust has the Deer Barn Cafe which is open seven days a week offering a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes, snacks and ice creams. There is also the Deer Hut Kiosk at the Deer Barns, adjacent to the Visitor Centre in the heart of the Park, open at weekends for take-away warm drinks and snacks. (See our Eat, Drink, Shop page for further details).

The Visitor Centre at the Deer Barns in the heart of the Park is open weekends and school holidays from 11am - 4pm 

DEER BARN CAFE 

Cafe opening hours are:

April - October (inclusive): Daily 10.00am - 5.00pm 

November – March (inclusive):  Daily -10.00am – 4.00pm
Leicester as seen from Old John Tower at dusk

Published: 15th November, 2017

Updated: 22nd June, 2022

Author: Peter Tyldesley

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    Visit Bradgate Park

    Bradgate Park is Leicestershire's only Medieval Deer Park to the north of Leicester City. Over 830 acres, steeped in history, teeming with wonderful wildlife, the UK's oldest fossils, 550 red and fallow deer and the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey. Rich in heritage, wildlife and amazing landscapes, Bradgate Park is Leicestershire's favourite day out with two tearoom and free-to-visit Visitor Centre.

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    Parking Charges

    Parking charges apply at all car parks.

  • Getting Here

    Getting Here

    Details of how to reach Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood, including postcodes, parking details and a map of visitor access areas

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    Opening Times

    Visiting Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood: Opening times and parking details

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    Visit Swithland Wood

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    Details of tearooms and shop and ice cream sales as well as the Deer Hut.

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  • Join our Team

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    We're looking for a new Volunteer Co-ordinator! Apply here.

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    When visiting Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood, it is important that certain rules are followed to ensure areas remain safe and clean for everyone to enjoy and protect the heritage in our care. We try to make sure everyone can enjoy these spaces safely. We have a number of bye-laws, policies and guides in place. Help us care for these spaces by following these guidelines.

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Donate To The Bradgate Park Trust

Donate To The Bradgate Park Trust

Help support the work of the Bradgate Park Trust and our caring for the historic and wildlife rich landscapes of Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood. Your help will allow us to develop more projects to conserve and share these rich landscapes and the educational activities we provide. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 28th July, 2020

Author:

Comments: 1

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Registered office: Estate Office, Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicester LE6 0HE Tel:+44 (0)116 236 2713
To report any incidents on the Estate contact:
the Duty Ranger (7.45am to dusk) on 07740 406661 or Out of Hours on 07740 406662 or 07740 406663

The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity (known as the Bradgate Park Trust) is a charity registered in England (number 521476)


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