20 Attractions to Explore Near Swithland Wood and The Brand

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

This is the only medieval deer park built around 800 years ago. It provides 830 acres of publicly accessible countryside close to Leicester City Centre. The park's two well-known landmarks, Old John and the war memorial, both lie just above the 210 m (690 ft) contour. Onwe of the iconic location where you can spend some nice time in the middle of nature.

Bradgate House is a 16th-century ruin in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England. Once a magnificent Tudor mansion and the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic 'Nine Days Queen'. The 16th-century ruins are nestled in the heart of Bradgate Park, near the village of Newtown Linford in Leicestershire, central England. The construction work of the large mansion was started by Thomas Grey, 1st marquis of Dorset, in 1499, and it was finally finished by his son in 1520.

Swithland Reservoir is located just to the south east of Loughborough. The Leicestershire Round long distance trail runs along the north eastern side of the water. It's a very pretty spot with nice views across the water to the surrounding woodland and countryside. Also look out for the steam trains of the Great Central Railway passing over Swithland Viaduct.

Beacon Hill Country Park is located only two miles from the M1 motorway, just south of Loughborough, in Leicestershire. It is one of the highest points in Leicestershire and boasts spectacular views of Charnwood Forest and the Soar Valley. Covering 128ha, the Country Park consists of mixed woodland, grassland, open heathland, wetlands and rocky outcrops.

The Mountsorrel Railway was a network of industrial railway lines that served the granite quarries which dominate the Leicestershire village of Mountsorrel. After being closed in the 1950s, a section was reopened in 2015 as a heritage line run by Mountsorrel & Rothley Community Heritage Centre.

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.

The Outwoods is 110 acres of ancient woodland to the south of Loughborough and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood. The Outwoods supports a rich variety of plants, insects and birds typical of such old woodlands. The Outwoods is open all year round and the car park and toilets are open from approximately 7am until dusk. Adjacent to the Outwoods is the smaller Jubilee Wood and close by is Beacon Hill.

The Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum is a working farm and a motor museum located in the village of Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. It is a real working family farm, come and meet our cows, sheep, and pigs and their farmyard friends. Take home some of Leicestershire’s finest produce, with homegrown potatoes, organic herbs and vegetables, free-range eggs and local cheeses meats, and delicatessen in the Stonehurst Farm Shop and also visit Stonehurst Motor Museum, housing a fascinating collecti

A working farm and community project dedicated to the welfare of animals and to providing a fun and educational experience for all. It was situated on a 20-acre site on the outskirts of Leicester City Centre. With over 100 animals for you to meet we offer the perfect venue for a fun family day out or educational group visit.

The Great Central Railway is the UK's only double track, mainline heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. Train rides are available every weekend and Bank Holiday throughout the year and daily in May through to September.

The Loughborough Carillon was built as a War Memorial to commemorate WW1. It is in Queen's Park, and is a well-known landmark, visible from several miles away. The Carillon was designed by Sir Walter Tapper, and is now grade II listed. The carillon has 47 bells, all of which were cast at John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough. The carillon was built by William Moss and Sons Ltd of Loughborough.

Queen's Park is well used as a place to play, relax or learn and is easily reached by foot, bicycle, car or bus. Pay and display car parking is available close to the park off Granby Street. There is a 'figure-of-eight' walk that passes alongside a watercourse, which is spanned by a stone bridge. There is also another, smaller lake. The dominant feature of the park is the Carillon Tower, which is a war memorial.

Watermead Country Park is a network of lakes woodlands and nature reserves created from 340 acres of gravel workings along the River Soar to the north of the city. The park has fine lake views and woodland walks with good paths and picnic areas. The parks provide bird watching, fishing and watersports facilities and so more.

Charnwood Museum is a local history museum in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. This Museum reflects the history and industries of Loughborough and the surrounding area. Permanent displays include: Coming to Charnwood, The Natural World, Living off the Land and Earning a Living. It has a café and a shop and is fully accessible to disabled visitors. It runs many events including art and craft workshops held every school holiday for children, talks, tours and lectures throughout the year.

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.

Belgrave Hall is a lovingly restored 18th-century former family home that has retained much of its traditional architectural character including original period features and detailing. It was commissioned for hosiery merchant Edmund Craddock and his wife Anne. Later it became the home of William Vann, High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Visitors can explore the surrounding gardens on special event days.

Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester’s Industrial Museum, displaying Leicester’s very varied Industrial, Technological and Scientific heritage. Situated adjacent to the National Space Centre, the two attractions tell the story of over 200 years of science and technology from the early days of steam and industry to the space exploration of today. With four working steam-powered beam engines from its time as a sewage pumping station, it also houses exhibits for transport, public health, light and o

The National Space Centre is a visitor attraction, education facility, corporate venue, an information hub, and home to NSC Creative and the National Space Academy. Many of the exhibits, including upright rockets, are housed in a tower with minimal steel supports and a semi-transparent cladding of ETFE 'pillows' which has become one of Leicester's most recognizable landmarks.

Leicester Abbey was founded in 1138-9 as an abbey of Augustinian canons by Robert ‘le Bossu’ , the second Earl of Leicester. But it is one of the least known of the Midland monasteries because of the almost total destruction. The Abbey's prosperity was boosted through the passage of special privileges by both the English Kings and the Pope. These included an exemption from sending representatives to parliament and from paying tithe on certain land and livestock.