7th July 2023 Swithland Woods to Bradgate park.

Our walk  is Swithland Woods to Bradgate park, about six miles.

 Swithland Wood is part of the Bradgate Estate and is managed by the Bradgate Park Trust.

As a remnant of the Charnwood Forest Oak Woods, Swithland consists principally of mature oak, birch, alder and lime, which support a rich variety of butterflies, moths and birds.  

A good network of waymarked footpaths and riding tracks extend throughout the wood and link directly to Bradgate Park.

Through experience it does help  to walk the paths just to find your way around, because not all of the paths have a designated sign on them.

Voice of experience, we still get lost after ten years of walking around the woods.

But it is good fun.

Really sunny day so a bit of shade part of the way around will come in useful for keeping cool.

The path to the Bradgate Park entrance was found quite easily and we continued on our way.

Out of the woods heading towards Bradgate Park.

Turning right into the park we discovered the path that we intended to walk along was closed for work in progress on the underground reservoir.

 

Looks like a huge swimming pool shimmering in the sunlight.

Apparently covering the top of the underground reservoir.

                              

Continuing our walk through the park down towards the visitor centre.

Through the bracken, which is slowly being cut back by the rangers  because of its invasive nature.

Enjoying a cuppa.

Cropston reservoir in the distance.

Car park at Hallgates then over the road into Swithland Woods

Couple of turns here and there then back to the car park.

Cracking walk of about six miles, hope this weather continues, makes for very pleasant walking.

See you next week.