Bradgate Park Trust

Celebrating Bradgate Park with images from our visitors. Images sent in and shared with permission of John Mason

Bradgate Moth Monday GREEN PUG Pasiphila rectangulata Common Size FW 8-11mm
... Flight season One generation June-early August. Adults sometimes beaten from food plants by day. Comes readily to light.
Life cycle Overwinters as an egg on the food plant. Lava April-May. pupates on the ground or in loose earth.
Larval food plants Flowers of Crab apple, cultivated apple, Pear, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Cherry.
Habitat A wide range, from urban parks and gardens, hedgerows scrub and woodland. on many soils, both damp and dry situations, mainly in the lowlands.
Status and distribution Resident. Common.
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The Young Rangers have had a very productive day and braved all kinds of weather! 🌦🌨🌞 Today's task was to finish a footpath diversion and tree enclosure. In honour of Star Wars Day they had Wookie Cookies and Attack of the Scones.....

One of our volunteers is Stuart Franey from Loughborough University. He has been developing a suite of panoramic images of the Park which we will share over coming weeks as our #ExploreShareInspire post. Each week will offer a different view/area and with 15 great images to share we know these will be popular posts!

Today, the @YouthSportTrust came in to help the Bradgate Park Trust with some woodland management in Hallgates Spinney to the North edge of the Park. An area with some restoration of the woods understory was started 2 years ago and needed some Laurel regrowth cutting back. Nice weather in the end and just missed the rain!

Event Update Just 4 places left on this early morning walk with the Rangers. Tickets on our website https://www.bradgatepark.org/…/breeding -birds-of-bradgate-6…

Memorial Wood is a very special addition to the Park and a place for quiet reflection. This 3D panoramic was taken by volunteer Stuart Franey this week and illustrates just how the conservation project has benefited the woodland wildflowers. If you would like to know more about the wood, please visit our website https://www.bradgatepark.org/memorial-woo d

Event Update Nearly 40% of tickets have sold for the evening performance in the Ruins of Bradgate House on August 8th at 7pm . Tickets from our website https://www.bradgatepark.org/Event/a-mids ummer-nights-dream

We are proud to be part of this through our Bite Size Bradgate, family weekends, walks and all the activities delivered by staff and volunteers. A great chance to learn about the heritage of Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood. Thanks to everyone who supports our learning and engagement programmes and shares their passion for our sites and their rich heritage #ExploreShareInspire

Last two places available for our 2019 full day workshops with award winning Danny Green - & the only workshops that allow access to the Deer Sanctuary during the rut. https://www.bradgatepark.org/…/deer-rut -photography-worksho…

FREE WEEKDAY DAILY GUIDED TOURS The Queens, Earls & Armies of Bradgate Park Learn about the colourful characters of Bradgate Park whilst you step back in time and walk through the grounds of the Old Bradgate House Ruins. TOURS RUN DAILY - Monday to Friday DURATION approx 1 hour 11:30 & 14:30... Departure from the Meeting Point post located by the row of trees in front of the Ruins Arrive 10 mins early to secure place on the tour with the Tour Guide, we only take up to 15 visitors per tour. Dogs on leads welcome. Donations welcome
BRADGATE HOUSE RUINS Open for public viewing every weekend April until October 10:00 – 17:00 and Bank Holidays.
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Meet at 2.30pm at the main Park Entrance at Newtown Linford Car Park LE6 0HB Duration of Walk – approx. 1 ½ - 2 hours Pre-booking is essential for this event as places are limited. Tickets are £5 per place and can be booked from the Visitor Centre or by calling 0116 236 2713 extension 25 between 11 and 3.30pm or from our website https://www.bradgatepark.org/…/archaeol ogy-of-bradgate-guid…
Because the land at Bradgate has never been subject to modern farming methods, traces... of its 15,000 year history of human occupation still remain and are now yielding up their secrets to archaeologists. Join a Bradgate Park Ranger for a journey through the Park’s extensive and varied archaeology – from the Stone Age to the Second World War. A highlight of the walk will be the Late Upper Palaeolithic site at Little Matlock, one of only two of its type ever discovered in the UK.
Charges: £5.00 per place. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited https://www.bradgatepark.org/…/archaeol ogy-of-bradgate-guid…
The Bradgate Park Ranger will be at the starting point of each walk, be it sunny or wet. It is always advisable to be prepared for wet weather. Stout walking shoes or boots are recommended for all the walks.
Children are welcome on all walks, but should be accompanied by an adult. Dogs on leads are allowed on most walks.
Car Parking Please note that there is a car parking charge (Pay & Display).
Toilets (including disabled) are available at all the Car Parks and at the Visitor Centre in the middle of Bradgate Park.
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This is the story of two very different men, Richard III, the last Plantagenet King of England and Henry Tudor and how they met in battle on 22 August 1485 at Bosworth Field.
The Battle of Bosworth is one of the most important battles in English history and on the death of Richard ushered in the age of the Tudors. This book, using contemporary sources, examines their early lives, the many plots against Richard and the involvement of Henry’s mother, Margaret Beaufort. Despite ...recent portrayals as the archetypal fence-sitters, the book also shows that the powerful Stanley family had a long-standing feud with Richard and were not only complicit in the plots against him in the months before the battle, but probably laid the trap that ultimately led to his death on the battlefield.
It shows that the events that climaxed at Bosworth were made possible by the intrigues of King Louis XI of France and shows that it was not just the fate of England that was at stake but that of France itself. King Louis’ taste for intrigue and double-dealing had earned him the nicknames "the Cunning" and "the Universal Spider." The book details how he spun webs of plots and conspiracies first against Edward IV then Richard III, destabilised England and created a platform for Henry’s invasion. Policies that were continued by his daughter, Anne de Beaujeu after Louis's death.
From the foreword: Yet another book on Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth? Yes, but one that gives a different and interesting perspective on the combatants and the battle that saw a change of regime and the death of the last of the Plantagenet kings...This is a fascinating book giving another perspective on one of the most important battles ever fought on English soil. It tells of how it came about as the allegiance of fifteenth-century magnates flowed from one side to another, enabling the reader to understand so much more as to why King Richard came to his untimely end. It is an interesting read and the author is to be thanked for this. Dr Phil Stone, Chairman, Richard III Society
Mike Ingram MA is a medieval historian, freelance lecturer and specialist tour guide. Since 2010, he has walked Bosworth battlefield many times, as well as leading over 1000 visitors around the battlefield. His previous books include “Battle Story: Bosworth 1485” and “The Battle of Northampton 1460.” He regularly writes for a variety of history magazines and is a frequent guest on BBC Radio Northampton, talking about local heritage and heritage issues. Mike is the Chair of Northamptonshire Battlefield Society and a Trustee of the Naseby Battlefield Project.
Held at the Conservatory Tearoom Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire, Leicestershire, LE6OHB Tickets £15 (cheese and wine included)
Please note Pay & Display car park charges of £3 apply on the day.
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The history of the Victorian is one of high success and dreadful failure, of fires, falls and fabulous feats. Of horses, equilibrists, aerial acts and clowns, and the men (and women) who rode, tumbled, swung and gagged. Of ‘Lord’ George Sanger whose circus was pitched at Windsor Castle to perform for Queen Victoria. And Charlie Keith who invented the first Iron Circus. This talk provides a fascinating insight into this little-known aspect of Victorian entertainment incorporat...ing Bradgate’s own Kitty Cocks.
Please note car park charges apply on the day, Pay & Display £3, with the nearest car park being Hallgates Cropston LE77HQ
Pre-booking is essential for this event as places are limited. https://www.bradgatepark.org/…/deer-bar ns-talks-the-victori…
Tickets are £5 per place and can also be booked from the Visitor Centre or by calling 0116 236 2713 extension 25 between 11.00 and 15.30 The talk is in the meeting room above the Visitor Centre at the heart of the Park
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Behind the stereotypical image of the witch flying on a broomstick wearing a back pointy hat lies a long history of trials, persecution & torture that claimed the lives of hundreds of women & men. The first English Statute was brought in by Henry VIII in 1542 when no one was safe from the accusation of witchcraft. This talk by Sandy Leong explores the history of magic, witches & witchcraft.
*No parking on site, car parking fees of £3 apply and a walk to the Deer Barn. The ne...arest car park to the Visitor Centre is Hallgates Car Park (LE7 7HQ).
Pre-booking is essential for this event as places are limited.
Tickets are £5 per place and can also be booked from the Visitor Centre or by calling 0116 236 2713 extension 25 between 11.00 and 15.30
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Our Rangers and local naturalists are leading some great walks in May. Breeding Birds of Bradgate and Tracks and Signs are coming up in the next two weeks. Great ways to learn about the Park's natural heritage #ExploreShareInspire https://www.bradgatepark.org/Pages/Events /

Celebrating Bradgate Park with images from our visitors. Sent in and shared with permission Adi White

Went to bradgate park yesterday for our very first time. We loved it. The only cost is parking which is £3 in the week and £4 at weekends for cars and is very reasonable considering this is all day. We are a family of 2 adults, 1 3 year old and a dog and we all enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting to see deer straight away but 100 yards in to the park and there they where, minding their own business grazing on the vegetation. Everywhere we went we saw deer. Lots of children playing in the stream which they have said is clean. The park rangers are friendly and helpful. The cafes are clean and tidy as well as the toilet facilities. There is a gift shop at one end of the park. Also a visitor centre in the centre of the park which is like a mini museum and my son loved stroking the stuffed animals. Water bowls for dogs at the visitor centre but it's a good idea to take water with you for your dog's on hot days as the park is huge. We wanted to look at lady Jane greys home but it was closed off which was a shame but didn't realise they did free tours a couple of times during the day until we got to the visitors centre by which time it was too late. May I suggest a sign down by the other car park/tea rooms so that people know as they're walking up towards the house.

We travelled over an hour to get to this park and was well worth it. Will definitely be visiting again.

We absolutely love coming here, breathtakingly beautiful. However I am sad that yet again dogs and dog owners are being blamed for the death/illness of the deer. Does it not make more sense that the deer are eating plastic bags left by people who have had a picnic and there are remnants of food on there? Is dog poo tasty to deer? All I am saying is that bags left as rubbish from picnics is more likely or at least an option as well as poo being left in the bag as deer having a penchant for dog poo!

Walked there for the first time this week - astounding as I only live 40 mins away. Had seen the review in Country Walking. Very busy along the path to Bradgate House but virtually deserted as soon as we turned off. Stunning colours and views. My dogs loved it too. All dogs on leads? Seriously? OK when near the crowds but off the beaten track this is unnecessary - fortunately most other owners agreed! Will definitely return and explore more.

Today me, my husband, 2 year old son and dog made a trip to Bradgate Park after finding out about it on social media yesterday.

Wow what a beautiful place! We had such a lovely few hours out on a winters day. The park is stunning, so well maintained including nappy changing facilities and bins. There was something for all of us. Our 2 year old loved spotting the deer and looking at the animals in the visitors centre including listing to the Anne Boleyn picture frame talk �. The volunteers in there were really nice people especially Terry who made our son feel confident to stroke the stag and also gave our dog some treats, thank you so much. We sadly missed out on the cake and hot drinks at the tea room as we didn't realise it was cash only but will know for next time.

£3 to park and our fuel to get there what a bargain day out �.

Keep up the good work it's a beautiful place that deserves to be supported �.

Such a magical place to enjoy through all the seasons. So pleased to see the Trust making more of the park and using it to stage events and activities. The Folk Festival was so lovely and I'm sure it will grow and grow each year. Thank you for a place that makes memories for our family......������

Love this place, but I am getting more and more concerned about the amount of traffic going through the park. It is getting worse and is spoiling the enjoyment for folks who want to get away from traffic and to not breath in fumes. Please note I have no problem with the Thursday scheme for disabled people who want to enjoy the park. But traffic going through is getting beyond a joke on other days.

Love Braggy. I have visited here regularly throughout my life. Spent many of hours walking, running and playing in the park. Everytime I go there now as an adult I can remember so many childhood memories of trees I pretended were noddy's house and the seperations in the river being Tracey Island. My parents and Grandparents used to bring me here and my earliest memories as a child are definitely seeing the ducklings in spring. :) Beautiful place.

I love Bradgate Park and the sense of wilderness that it provides - walking my dogs around the park is a wonderful way to loose a couple of hours and de-stress.

It saddens me that some users choose to leave their litter for others to clear - maybe more prominent bins might help to encourage other park users to "do the right thing"?

I have lived most of my life with Bradgate park and old John as my view, I played there as a child and loved it and as an adult still love it, I just wish that all people that visit it would respect and love it as much as me. Remember it is a country park full of history and stunning scenery, as well as a herd of deer that have there for a very long time, respect that fact, keep dogs on leads at all times, I remember when I was a child that if dogs were found worrying the deer they would be shoot......pick up their poo and dispose of bags in the appropriate bins, the same goes for your picnic rubbish plastic kills deer and other wild life. Remember enjoy Bradgate park, love it and be respectful of it.

I have been visiting Bradgate park for 25 years , since I moved to Leicester. It is the most magical place- like a bit of Scotland in Leicester!! I've been on several guided tours, but my favourite has been the deer walk, during the rutting season , I feel very privelaged to have experienced such an amazing sight.

Two things have made this place so special for me. Firstly ,my husband died 24 years ago, and his name is in the book of memorial in the visitors centre. As of next October I will be able to go to the new copse, which is being developed as as a memorial.

Secondly , my son, who as a child and teenager has spent many a happy time at the park, is due to celebrate his marriage in the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's house next September. It will be so special! The Bradgate Park trust have been so helpful in the organisation of this.

On a less personal note, I would like to congratulate the park, for the wonderful new visitors centre, and also for its various fundraising events. I have been to several performances in the ruins, all of which have been excellent.

Bradgate has everything - it's great for getting away from it all, and some serious walking, and equally good for a gentle stroll with my 11 month old grandson, along a good path.. Thank you Charles Bennion, and thank you for the Trust for keeping it as he intended.

I have been away from. England for 40 odd years. To see these pictures of. Bradgate. Park. Brings back many memories. Especially of the area like. Swithland. Woods. We used to have a caravan there so many years ago and spent our summer holidays there. We traveled on the bus from Leicester and loved every minute.

Having moved away from Leicestershire, Bradgate Park is one of the places I really miss, we spent many weekends there as kids getting lost in the bracken, climbing the rocks and trees, I come back and visit as often as I can, realising how lucky we were to have it.

Growing up by the park I visit most days but after 20 years still find new places and walks to explore. Beautiful in the sun and my dogs favourite place by far!

First visit. Loved the old trees a great place for families a small word of caution we visit on a showery not to warm day and it was very busy summer visiting may be to busy

Fantastic place to walk and get away from it all. Lovely cafes too.Good place to bring young kids on bike's etc, bit YouCan also go off the beaten track for wonderful walk and scenery. Favourite place is Old John.

Rangers very helpful too�

Beautiful place well worth a visit , nice visitor centre and wonderful cafe. Best bit is the deer they come right up to you as well smashing !

A true beauty spot in Leicestershire's doorstep. Brought up with it and still love the place. One gripe, £4 parking at weekends! I understand it costs a lot of money to keep the park open and have no issue paying. But the least the trust could do would be to put either a change station or replace to meter machines with ones that accept card. Just a suggestion.

A friend and I were visiting the park this morning. We arrived at the ruins just before 10am. A lady called Lillian ,a trust employee was opening up the site for visitors. We asked her about the history of the building. She gave us 15 minutes of her time for a lovely account of the site which we really enjoyed. She then went off but came back 10 minutes later with some printed notes with more in-depth information. She 'made' our visit. a great ambassador for the organisation and a good sense of humour!

We love walking in the park, have a parking permit and regularly use the cafe. Today we saw the "supported" trees and were very saddened that, instead of allowing them to die with dignity (and we did notice that other trees which have fallen are regenerating), you have chosen to attach hideous strapping and steel supports to them. This is a real eyesore and does nothing to enhance the beauty of the park. They may be really old but I'm sure nature did not intend this sort of "help".