Charnwood Peaks Walk
This long walk takes you to the four peaks that define Charnwood Forest. Along the way you will pass the oldest rocks in Britain, visit historic deer parks and take in some spectacular views. Charnwood Forest is famed for its craggy hills and dry stone walls, but is also rich in wildlife. Look out for buzzards circling on the updrafts from the hills.
For a more detailed map you are recommended to refer to Ordnance Survey Explorer 245: The National Forest and 246: Loughborough.
Points of interest along the route:
Bradgate park – preserved as a deer park for over 800 years. The Park is noted for its stunted oaks and local legend has it the oaks were pollarded as a sign of mourning when Lady Jane Grey was beheaded, and have never recovered since.
Old John Tower crowning the highest hill in Bradgate Park – a folly in the shape of a huge tankard. Built in 1784.
Broombriggs Farm Country Park – A 55 hectare mixed arable and stock farm with a 1.5 miles farm trail with information boards explaining the working of the farm.
Beacon Hill – At 248m (814ft), Beacon Hill is the second highest point in Leicestershire and commands a wonderful view. The panorama is made up of the Soar and Trent valleys to the north and Charnwood Forest and Leicester to the south. Bronze bracelets, axe mould and spearheads have all been found on Beacon Hill.
Charley – in the 12th century a small Augustinian priory was here, located on the site of the present Charley Hall.
Bardon Hill – is 278m (912ft) and the “Olympus of Leicestershire”, a prominent peak and the highest point in The National Forest and Leicestershire. The hill has 2 faces – one half is a SSSI, the other forms Bardon Hill Quarry. On a clear day you can see the Sugar Loaf in South Wales, the Malvern and Shropshire Hills, summits in North Wales, Derby and Lincoln Cathedrals.
Billa Barra – Part of the rim of an ancient volcano and a regionally important geological site due to its rock outcrops of Markfieldite. In the south-east corner of the site you will find a Noon Column and the sculpture is aligned so that the sun shines through a vertical slot at ‘true’ noon each day, creating a line of light in the shadow cast by the column.
Hill Hole Quarry Nature Reserve – Markfield Knoll Hill was once one of four granite hills in the area, the other three being Billa Barra, Cliffe Hill and Bardon Hill. The quarry was built in 1852 and houses were built to accommodate the workers. The stone built terraced houses behind the Parish Church are good examples. Nowadays the water filled quarry is considered a hazard with no diving/swimming allowed.
Newtown Linford
Leicestershire
LE6 0HB
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Parking at Bradgate Park (Newtown Linford) car park. Parking charge applies.
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