Old John Tower, Bradgate Park – Ruins of Bradgate House loop from Leicestershire

Hiking trails & Routes

Thurcaston And Cropston

Old John Tower, Bradgate Park – Ruins of Bradgate House loop from Leicestershire

Moderate

4.0

(1)

hikers

Old John Tower, Bradgate Park – Ruins of Bradgate House loop from Leicestershire

03:05

11.3km

160m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 14, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

938 m

View of Cropston Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

Cropston Reservoir is a 100 acre trout fishery. The dam is 690 m long and rises to a height of 16 m at its highest point, which gives a water depth of up to 12 m. The reservoir was completed in 1870.

Tip by

1.72 km

Bradgate Park

Highlight • Settlement

Large car park, toilets, and an ice cream van in the summer months. What more do you need. £3 all day parking.

Tip by

3.45 km

Swithland Wood (situated directly across the road on the northern side of Bradgate Park) was one of the first disposals of the Bradgate Estate by the Grey family in 1921. It was purchased by a local timber merchant who felled much of the timber. To prevent the removal of further timber, and to conserve the Wood as one of the most wildlife rich and attractive woodlands in Leicestershire, The Rotary Club of Leicester launched an appeal for its purchase to ensure public access into the future.

Tip by

3.52 km

Swithland Wood

Highlight • Forest

Swithland Wood is a small remnant of the original Charnwood Forest managed by part of the Bradgate Estate. As a small chunk of ancient woodland, Swithland consists of mature oak, birch, alder and lime with supports a rich variety of butterflies, moths and birds. This chunk of woodland is the type that would of previously covered all of the British mainland whilst groups of hunter gatherers moved through the landscape.

Tip by

4.34 km

Swithland Old Pit

Highlight • Forest

6.66 km

Old Oak on Rocky Outcrop

Highlight • Viewpoint

7.15 km

Old John Tower, Bradgate Park

Highlight • Monument

Old John is the highest hill in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England, on the southern edge of Charnwood Forest. It gives its name to the folly that stands at its top. The hill stands at 696 foot (212 m) high, and is a prominent landmark across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The earliest recorded use of the name is on a map of 1754, which records a windmill on the site, some 30 years before the tower was built. The tower itself began life as a ruined folly, built in 1784, during the time of George Grey, 5th Earl of Stamford. He got Thomas Sketchley of Anstey to build him the mock ruin, which had strong similarities to Mow Cop, Staffordshire. It 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 the hill.

Tip by

8.61 km

Ruins of Bradgate House

Highlight • Historical Site

Not sure on much of the history of this place, I do know that once upon a time Lady Jane Grey lived here. You can access the inside on specific days of the year.

Tip by

11.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types