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Unexpected Upland

Explore Charnwood Forest Geopark

From fantastic food to superb hikes, and world-class geology, there’s always something new to discover in Charnwood Forest.

our geosites

Discover what makes Charnwood Forest famous, and travel back nearly 600 million years.

An image of the side of Bardon Hill Quarry, showing a cross section through a large v-shaped valley, infilled with red sandstone.
  • Geosites

Bardon Hill

Climb to the highest point in Leicestershire, and look back to an ancient valley that's more than a quarter of a billion years old!

A sunny day at Morley Quarry Local Nature Reserve
  • Geosites

Morley Quarry

Journey back to where it all began, with the oldest rocks in Charnwood Forest.

A view from inside the dark cave-like structure at Forest Rock, out into the sunshine
  • Geosites

Forest Rock

A secluded spot among the picturesque village of Woodhouse Eaves.

Inclined rocky crags, with several trees in the middle distance
  • Geosites

Billa Barra

Stand on an ancient hill with views that reach out across the Geopark.

A river runs through a small valley. The sky is blue.
  • Geosites

Bradgate Park – Little Matlock

Explore a beautiful river, tracing the course of ancient water...

Rocky crags at Bradgate Park, next to the Old John tower.
  • Geosites

Bradgate Park – Old John

Delve into ancient sediments and how they were deposited.

The ruins of the old Bradgate House in Bradgate Park
  • Geosites

Bradgate Park – Ruins Outcrop

Delve into Bradgate Parks fiery geological past.

A view of stable pit in Bradgate Park. The ruins are visible in the background.
  • Geosites

Bradgate Park – Stable Pit

From Stable Pit to shallow Cambrian seas.

A rock outcrop with an oak tree growing out of it.
  • Geosites

Bradgate Park – The Swiss Roll

Instability in the rocks of Bradgate Park...

A small outcrop of granite-like rock in the middle of a field.
  • Geosites

Halstead Road Centenary Pasture

Explore the Geopark's eastern magmatic past.

View of a path the takes the route of an old railway cutting. There are lots of trees and vegetation. Rocky outcrops are visible.
  • Geosites

Shepshed Cutting

Journey along a historic railway line, and discover the hidden geological treasures...

Explore more

A view of Mount St. Bernard's Abbey with a blue sky background.
  • Visit

Where to Visit

From medieval deer parks, to trappist abbeys, there's something for everyone in Charnwood Forest.

A picnic basket full of food. A sign says "Edible Forest"
  • Eat & Drink

Where to Eat

There's a restaurant, cafe, or pub for every taste in the Charnwood Forest Geopark.

Several bottles of wine sitting on a rocky outcrop.
  • Shopping

Where to Shop

From local honey to sustainably raised venison, Charnwood Forest is full of products for you to try.

Two people sit eating a meal out the front of a small accommodation building in the countryside
  • Stay

Where to Stay

Find the perfect accommodation for your stay in Charnwood Forest

A guided tour group walks through the green woodland at Beacon Hill
  • Walk

Where to Walk

Exploring Charnwood Forest on foot is one of the best ways to discover our most famous sites and the hidden treasures.

The front of a village hall in the countryside. The doors are open.
  • Host

Where to Host

There's a venue for every event here in Charnwood Forest.

A group of cyclists rides past a sign saying "Outwoods Woodland Walk"

COME VISIT US

How to get here

Geopark is well served by transport links. We are just a short drive from the mainline railway stations at Leicester and Loughborough, and served by a number of bus routes including the 16, 26, 27, 29, 74, 125, 126, 127, and 154.

By road, the Geopark can be easily accessed from junctions 21A, 22, and 23 of the M1.

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