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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 8am however we do try to open these car parks earlier is possible. 

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).

Deer Barn Café April-October (inclusive) Daily, 10am-5pm
November-March (inclusive) Daily, 10am-4pm
Visitor Centre Term time Weekends, 11am-4pm
School holidays + bank holidays Daily, 11am-4pm

The Ruins & Old John

The Ruins will be open to the public for free flow access between 11am and 4pm each weekend from 1st April - 29th October 2023. 

Guided Tours

Join us to delve into the history of Bradgate Park on one of our volunteer-led, 45 minute long history tours:

Tour Day Time
Ruins Guided Tour Wednesday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Old John Guided Tour Thursday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Find out more information here.

Published: 15th November, 2017

Updated: 24th August, 2023

Author: Peter Tyldesley

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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: 07740 406 661
The Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Charity (known as the Bradgate Park Trust) is a charity registered in England (number 521476)

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