The next phase of a £300,000 scheme to revitalise Bradgate Park’s main paths and surfaces got under way recently, with the support of the Geopark.
The funding of the works has been made possible thanks to contributions from Charnwood Forest Geopark (The National Lottery Heritage Fund), Tarmac Landfill Community Fund, Severn Trent and up to £60,000 from Bradgate Park Trust.
The project, which Bradgate Park Trust started planning and designing three years ago, will bring great benefits to the park including improved access for all visitors, better drainage to maintain safer surfaces, and give damaged ground the chance to vegetate naturally to protect the surrounding ecology.
Two sections of the off-road path will be affected during the closure which began on Monday 9 February:
- From The Deer Barn building uphill to just beyond the middle wall
- From Newtown Linford Gate up to and just beyond the middle wall
Specialist contractors will restore approximately 1 km of track using locally sourced stone, with drainage improvements on both sides.
The overall cost of the work reflects the scale of the improvements which has also included visual impact assessments and archaeological briefs to ensure the work is done to the highest possible standards.
Deborah Taylor, Chair of Bradgate Park Trust, said: “Wetter winters and hotter summers are worsening drainage problems, which residents and businesses will also be seeing across the country.
“These improvement works have been carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to visitors and the very rich wildlife we all know and love as part of Bradgate Park.
“The work is going to bring great benefits to the habitats on site, and because we attract so many visitors each year, it will also provide a more sturdy and durable network of paths for people to stick to.”
Dr Julie Attard, Programme Manager for the Geopark, said: “Bradgate Park is one of the most important and well-visited sites within Charnwood Forest Geopark.”
“Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we can now undertake this vital restoration project, which will both protect fragile habitats and improve the experience for visitors to the park.”
The café, events and activities on site are expected to run as business as usual during the improvement works and visitors are encouraged to follow signs on site.
All work on the pathways should be completed in May 2026.
Visit https://www.bradgatepark.org/temporary-path-closure for more information on the closure or https://www.bradgatepark.org/ for further information on Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood National Nature Reserve.