Cropston - Bradgate Park - Swithland Woods

Route Summary

Cirular walk Cropston through part of Bradgate Park, through part of Swithland Woods back to Cropston. Total 5.17 miles.

Route Overview

Category: Walking Length: 8.340 km / 5.21 mi Last Modified: 28th February 2017 Difficulty: Medium Rating: Unrated Surface: Average Date Published: 28th February 2017

Description

Waypoints

START (52.69319; -1.18058) Start from Bradgate Arms car park on Station Road, Cropston. Turn left out of car park and follow Station Road towards crossroads. Cross over and follow Causeway Lane to end.

WP 2 (52.69193; -1.18447) Walk straight ahead along track with hedgeline to left.

WP 3 (52.68866; -1.19616) Go through gate on left and turn immediately right following the hedgeline.

WP 4 (52.68536; -1.20014)

1 / 6 Go over stile. Head across field to gate. Go through gate and head across field to gate on opposite side. This field can be muddy in middle.

There is an alternative path from gate on the left of field running alongside a wood. This will miss the worst of the mud. At end of path re-enter field and head to gate on left of field.

WP 5 (52.68428; -1.20587) Enter Bradgate Park through gate. Note warnings about adders and ticks! Walk straight ahead.

WP 6 (52.68533; -1.21093) Turn slightly right and head to small bridge over stream.

WP 7 (52.68598; -1.21130) Detour: having crossed bridge you will see the ruins of the house where Lady Jane Grey lived. Walk up path for a closer look.

Having crossed bridgeturn right onto main tarmac path. Follow this path to public toilets.

WP 8 (52.68804; -1.20411) Public toilets. There is a cafe here just round from the toilets.

From here follow the wide grassy path. The house ruins will be away on your left.

WP 9 (52.68974; -1.20917) Go through gap in dry stone wall and follow path up to the side of Bowling Green Wood. This wood will be on your left at the next way point.

WP 10 (52.69125; -1.21426) Bear slightly right.

WP 11 (52.69235; -1.21516)

2 / 6 This is a junction of paths. Follow the path straight ahead. You will have Dale Wood to your right and should see Old John Wood at 10 o'clock and Sliding Stone outcrop at 1 o'clock.

WP 12 (52.69526; -1.21821) Follow the path towards the left hand edge of Sliding Stone Wood.

WP 13 (52.69618; -1.21733) Keep following the path towards the left hand edge of Sliding Stone Wood. You might see Old John away to the left.

WP 14 (52.69772; -1.21686) Follow the path bearing right. Sliding Stone Wood will be on your right and you will be gradually leaving this wood behind.

WP 15 (52.69880; -1.21505) Follow a wide path straight ahead down towatds the road. Cross the road when you reach it.

WP 16 (52.70255; -1.20925) Swithland Wood is in front of you. Enter through a gap in the dry stone wall.

WP 17 (52.70245; -1.20879) Follow the path along the left hand side of the wood.

WP 18 (52.70412; -1.20722) Follow path bearing to right..

WP 19 (52.70449; -1.20536) Heading up an incline towards the Swithland quarry.

WP 20 (52.70453; -1.20430)

3 / 6 When you reach the quarry turn left. Follow path keeping the quarry fence on your right.

WP 21 (52.70509; -1.20411) Turn right keeping quarry on your right.

WP 22 (52.70495; -1.20263) Turn right and follow path. Keep quarry on your right.

WP 23 (52.70404; -1.20224) Turn left along path. You will be heading towards edge of Swithland Wood.

WP 24 (52.70429; -1.19864) Go through gate/stile. You are now leaving wood. Follow path.

WP 25 (52.70442; -1.19675) Junction of paths. Turn right. Swithland Wood will be on your right.

WP 26 (52.70116; -1.19559) Junction of paths. Take left path. you will pass a lake/pond on your right. Keep going to the road.

WP 27 (52.69844; -1.18837) Turn right onto the lane. Be careful here. Some vehicles travel fast with reduced visibility. After a few yards take the left junction along Lodge Lane.

WP 28 (52.69775; -1.18988) You are nowon Reservoir Road with Cropston Resevoir in front of you. Cross road to the reservoir wall. Walk along pavement with reservoir on your right towards Cropston.

WP 29 (52.69276; -1.18265)

4 / 6 Crossroads. Cross over road to the Badgers Set pub side of road. Walk along Station Road towards the Bradgate Arms.

END (52.69310; -1.18109) Finish. Sample the delights of the Bradgate Arms. At the time of writing it serves two meals for one between 12 and 5pm as well as a normal menu.

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