Easy hikes and walks around Glenfields

This is the Anglican Church built in 1876, which stands on the site of the first Christian place of worship in Glenfield, established sometime before 1086. The Domesday Book of 1086 shows that a priest resided in the village of 'Clanefield' (now Glenfield), and records list the Rectors from 1220 AD. (Originally, a Rector was the priest who held the right to a tithe (tenth) part of the parish crops, while a Vicar was appointed and paid by the Bishop).

The Old Post Office Tearooms, is next to the entrance to Bradgate Park, the start and end point of the Leicestershire Round long distance walking route. Once the Village Shop, Café, and Post Office, it transformed into a family-run tearoom offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and handmade cakes. It’s an excellent way to mark the end of the Leicestershire Round, but bear in mind it closes at 4pm. Dogs are very welcome, and there is outside seating. There’s also a takeout counter should you wish to start your walk with a coffee in hand!

The River Lin is a river which runs through North Leicestershire. The source of the river is in Ulverscroft, near Charnwood Forest. The river runs through Bradgate Park before the river runs into the River Soar in Quorn. The river also feeds Cropston Reservoir and Swithland Reservoir. The river runs for around 17 kilometres between its source and confluence with the River Soar. The river is described as one of Leicestershire's shortest rivers.

Bradgate House is one of England's great 'lost country houses', a once-magnificent Tudor mansion and the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic 'Nine Days Queen'. The story of Bradgate House goes back long before Lady Jane's birth, however, and is intertwined with the history of Bradgate Park, a large country park in which the ruins stand. Bradgate Park began as a hunting ground in the early 13th century. It was enclosed by an earthwork bank and ditch, topped by oak timbers. In 1445 the park passed by marriage to the Grey family, who owned it for the next 5 centuries. The first grey owner was Edward Grey, whose son John married Elizabeth Woodville. After John's death at the Battle of St Albans in 1461 Elizabeth married King Edward IV. One of Elizabeth's sons by her first marriage was Sir Thomas Grey, the 1st Marquess of Dorset.

The church dates from the 15th century and consists of a west tower with small recessed spire, nave, north aisle, north trancept, south porch, chancel, organ chamber and vestry. The north trancept dates from late in the 15th century and is separated from the nave by an arch. The north aisle and chancel were built by Roberts & Simpson in 1894-95. The vestry and organ chamber were added in 1915. The church is rather quaint and has white washed walls and some other items of interest. The altar woodwork and paneling is very fine and added in 1915.

The River Lin winds its way through the South of Bradgate Park, through a series of artificial pools leading to Cropston Reservoir.

lovely gravel path, shame about all the gates

Bradgate House was a Tudor mansion built in the early 1500s, and was lived in by the Grey family - including Lady Jane Grey - for 220 years. The house was abandoned in the 1730s, and by 1790, it was declared a ruin.