Swithland Wood – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Swithland

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Swithland Wood – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Swithland

Moderate

4.2

(6)

hikers

Swithland Wood – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Swithland

03:01

10.8km

210m

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: September 10, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

329 m

Old John Tower

Highlight • Monument

532 m

Swithland Old Pit

Highlight • Forest

1.35 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, …

Tip by

1.42 km

Swithland Wood

Highlight • Natural Monument

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. …

Tip by

2.39 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

4.58 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. …

Tip by

4.79 km

Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial, Bradgate Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

A war memorial sitting on high ground in Bradgate Park

Tip by

5.44 km

The Lightning Tree

Highlight • Viewpoint

Personally i love this tree, its one of many in the park that have been damaged by lightning over the centuries, but this one in particular has always stood out every time i visit.

Tip by

10.8 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.60 km

4.23 km

624 m

245 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.32 km

3.07 km

1.44 km

1.28 km

657 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 8 October

18°C

9°C

74 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 31.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 27, 2022,swithland wood & Bradgate Park loop

Fairly easy afternoon wander with a coffee stop half way round, I parked roadside as it's free 😊😉 but there's various car parks where this walk could begin or end.