Put a spring in your step in the great outdoors Here are a few ideas of places you can go to enjoy nature at its best this Spring
1. Bradgate Park, Newtown Linford Bradgate Park was first enclosed as a deer park (for hunting) in the 12th Century.
Herds of red and fallow deer still roam freely across the park’s 800 acres today.
It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its importance as a wildlife habitat and its geological interest - the 600-million-year-old Precambrian rocks here are some of the oldest in England.
Bradgate House, built around the year 1500, was one of the first unfortified, brickbuilt country houses in the country and was the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey and played an important role in the English Civil War.
Abandoned in the 18th Century, the house is now an evocative ruin set in a landscape whichhas changed little since the house’s heyday.
Bradgate Park was listed in the Top 10 Parks in the UK in the 2014 Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
There are three paying car parks serving this popular park as well as a cafe and, usually, mobile refreshments available.
2. Calke Abbey Ticknall near Swadlincote This is a country house estate preserved in 20th-century decline.
A place poised somewhere between gentle neglect and downright dereliction, telling the tale of an eccentric family who amassed a huge collection of hidden treasures.
The house has been little restored, portraying a period when great country houses struggled to survive. In the walled gardens explore the orangery, the flower and kitchen gardens or walk around the fragile habitats of Calke Park National Nature Reserve.
3. Tamworth Castle Step back in time through 900 years of history in Tamworth Castle. Wander the chambers and hallways of this unique building and get a real sense of how the Saxons, Normans, Tudors and Victorians spent their time in the castle.
There are more than 15 fully furnished rooms to discover and everything is clearly signposted. The castle is packed with information and displays matching the era of the room.
Relax in the day parlour used by the Ferrers family to gather in before dining then step into the Tudor dining room with large, colourful tapestries decorating the walls. Sit at the table in front of the large, log fireplace to really get a feel of this marvellous room.
The Tamworth Story houses our display of the Staffordshire Hoard, which you can see the Saxon weapons and a range of real and replica items found as part of the Staffordshire Hoard.
Saturday & Sunday 11.30am - 3.00pm. (building closes at 3.45pm)
Also open during bank holidays and Staffordshire school half terms
4. Market Bosworth Country Park This is one of the nicest walking places in the area especially in the spring as everything comes into bloom.
There is a small lake as well as a play area for children.
5. Walk along the
Ashby Canal This one is a little more closer to home and it could also include a trip to a nice country pub as there are many near the canal which are worth a visit. The canal is quite long and there are many parts which are worth walking.
We quite like the section near Wykin which goes up towards the Ashby Canal Centre. The more classic walk is further north from Sutton Wharf which also has a car park and a nice cafe. From there it is possible to walk past Ambion Wood.
6. Fosse Meadows,
near Sharnford Fosse Meadows has extensive paths through flower meadows, woodlands and arboretum with a fire pit. It is a good area for bird spotting, with a wildlife lake and bird hides and a riverside walk which leads on to a wildlife pond. There is a permissive bridleway around the site marked by white topped posts.
Fosse Meadows also has a permanent course. Maps online.
There is a children’s play area with extensive play equipment which leads on to the play trail along the arboretum path. There is a car park, picnic area and dog bins and two wheelchair friendly gates and an accessible toilet. orienteering are available
7. Thornton Reservoir Despite its size, it is still surprising how few people have ever been to visit this place.
A walk around the perimeter of the reservoir is about twoand-a-half miles and does not take too long to complete.
It was built in around 1845 and is owned by Severn Trent Water. There are several car parks and the reservoir is in the the village of Thornton which also has two very nice pubs - The Reservoir Inn and the Bricklayers Arms which both serve food.
The water is within the National Forest and there are picnic tables and benches at various points.
Most of the path is compacted gravel and easy under foot so it is suitable for the whole family. It is also fairly flat.
There is also a disabled access toilet and light refreshments are available from the fishing lodge. Fishing enthusiasts can also hire boats to go out onto the water.
In total, the site occupies 75 acres and includes a woodland trail and areas for wildlife to flourish.
8. Beacon Hill Beacon Hill is Bradgate Park’s taller and less-popular neighbour. The hill is the second highest spot in the county and measures 248 metres which is 814ft in old money.
Bradgate might get all the visitors and photographers, but Beacon Hill is still worthy of a visit. And it is located just down the road and has its own car parks.
The council has designated it a country park and it covers a large area of more than 135 hectares.
Many different sites are visible from the top on a clear day including Lincoln Cathedral and the hills of the Peak District.
At the top is the Old Man’s Head rock formation with has become synonymous with the location in many pictures. There used to be a bronze-age fort on the site.
Walking is the order of the day at Beacon Hill and several circular walks start from the bottom car park.
The upper car park is just a very short walk from the summit for those who want an easier trip to the top.
More than 27,000 trees have been planted next to the summit to create a new woodland and wildflower glades.
Various wooden chainsaw sculptures are situated within the park. There is also a rhododendron labyrinth near the bottom car park. At the top is also a children’s play area and picnic area.
9. Watermead Country
Park, Syston Yes, another country park is on the list. This one is not that far away if you use the M1 and A46. It is a series of lakes and walks in a former quarry which has been turned into a large nature reserve. There is also a nice pub near the main car park just off the A46.
Cycling is very popular around the park and the paths are wide enough for everyone. It is also possible to continue on into the centre of Leicester using cycle paths mainly along the canals and River Soar.
There is the Jurassic Play Trail installed on the lake which includes includes a rib cage climbing frame, a mini ‘henge’ and a plesiosaur play mound. The structures were designed with the help of local school children.
The Reedbed Nature Reserve, which covers 17 hectares (of which approximately three hectares is Norfolk Reed), is of natural history importance due to its abundant array of wildlife and is an excellent location for bird watching.
There are four bird hides within the reserve which have wonderful views over habitats such as reedbed, woodland, marshland, meadows and open water, as well as a sand martin nesting wall.
There is a small charge for the car park and there are several toilets.
10. Kingsbury Water Park,
Sutton Coldfield Formerly the site of extraction gravel pits, Kingsbury Water Park in Sutton Coldfield lies on the River Tame, and on its western edge it borders the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
It has a staggering 15 lakes - created from the craters left