Swithland Woods

Swithland Wood is located across the road from the ancient deer park, Bradgate Park, and found itself being cut down in the 1920s after the Grey family, owners of the estate, sold the land to a local timber merchant. To prevent the removal of further timber, and to conserve the wood’s rich wildlife, Leicester Rotary Club bought the wood in 1925 following a successful fund-raising appeal. The site was then generously gifted to the Bradgate Park Trust in 1931 and has remained available for public use ever since.

As a remnant of the Charnwood Forest oak woods, Swithland consists principally of mature oak, birch, alder and lime, which support a rich variety of butterflies, moths and birds. The wood is known for its carpets of wildflowers in spring, including traditional native bluebells. Swithland slate - characteristic of many buildings in the area - was quarried from the two quarries in the wood, which have since flooded. A good network of footpaths and riding tracks extend throughout the wood and link directly to Bradgate Park.

• Cycling
• Dog walking on leads
• Horse-riding
• Information centre
• Picnic area
• Toilets at Bradgate Park Hallgates car park
• Walking trails

• Car parking (fees chargeable) on site
• Local bus services – 154 from Leicester to Loughborough and 125 from Leicester to Castle Donington