Thornton Reservoir - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Tropical Birdland in the north of the village of Desford, Leicestershire, England was set in 5 acres of natural woodland with walk-through aviaries, baby bird viewing room, over 70 species including toucans, emus, owls, macaws and parrots. The variety of walk through aviaries are home to lots of these beautiful birds, many of which love a scrummy mealworm so if you’ve got some going spare then draw the birds in a bit closer.

This 20 hectare local nature reserve, located in the north of the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth, consists of a variety of habitats including acid grassland, which is ecologically significant at a local level. Additionally, there are a number of rocky outcrops of Markfieldite, making the hill a regionally important geological site.

Bardon Hill is a former volcano. It is the highest point in Leicestershire and the National Forest, 912 feet above sea level. Due to its prominence, it is visible for many kilometres around. It adjoins Bardon Hill Quarry, a geological SSSI. At its summit are a trigonometrical point and a radio mast. The second highest hill in Leicestershire is the nearby Beacon Hill.

Stoneywell is an arts and crafts house set in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside, cared for by the National Trust since 2012. It was built in collaboration with Detmar Blow in 1899 for Ernest's brother Sydney Gimson as a summer residence, and along with much original furniture, it remained in the Gimson family for over a century. As part of a highly influential vernacular movement, it has become well known within Arts and Crafts circles.

This beautiful mansion was built for Lord Hastings, who was dramatically seized and executed by Richard III in 1483. Hastings’ descendants still believe they have a direct line to the throne of England. The castle was rectangular in design, 245 by 175 feet across, and would have comprised four corner towers, three side towers and a large gatehouse, all protected by a water-filled moat; the centre of the castle would have formed a courtyard.

Old John Tower is an iconic folly at the highest point of Bradgate Park, a former medieval deer park north of Leicester. The tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Leicestershire and looks down over the ruins of Bradgate House, a Tudor mansion that was the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey. The tower was adapted in the mid-19th century by the seventh Earl to serve as an observation tower for the practice circuit he laid out for his horses, along with the building of a stable block lower down th