In Charnwood
Queens Park
In the centre of Loughborough
Carillon Tower with small museum dedicated to the people who fought in the two world wars
Steps up to the top for views over the town
Carillon recitals in summer on Thursdays and Sunday afternoons
Charnwood Museum and Café
Bandstand
Flowers, playgrounds for young children
01509 233754 Museum
01509 263370 Carillon
Beacon Hill
Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough
Granite outcrop - high point of Charnwood Forest
The next highest hill going east is in the Ural mountains!
Panoramic views over Loughborough and the Soar Valley
Lower down the hill, picnic and barbecue field
Telephone: 01509 890048
Pay for car parking
Beaumanor Hall
Woodhouse
Used by Leicestershire County Council Education Department
Beautiful house and gardens
Conference and wedding venue, open air concerts.
Great place for children’s and adult’s awaydays.
Restaurant open to public for Sunday lunches once a month and at Christmas
Beautiful gardens and a yew tree so big you can have parties inside it.
01509 890119
www.leics.gov.uk
Bradgate Park
Newtown Linford, Leicestershire
Originally the home of Lady Jane Grey
Deer Park, Old John Tower
Walking for everybody, whether fit or disabled, tobogganing in winter, assuming it snows.
Cafes in Newtown Linford
Telephone: 0116 236 2713
Pay for car parking
Broombriggs Farm
Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough
Farm trail, windmill
01509 890048
Pay for car parking
Jubilee Wood and Outwoods
Beginning at the edge of town at Valley Road these are lovely open spaces and public woods for walking, fungus hunting, playing. Walk right through to Beacon Hill and even to Bradgate Park.
Woodhouse Lane (off B5350), Nanpantan, Loughborough
01509 890048
Watermead Country Park
Wanlip
Nature reserve formed from old gravel workings
Acres of wildlife, sailing, picnics. King Lear’s Lake.
0116 267 1944
www.leics.gov.uk
Free
Whatton Gardens
Whatton House, nr. Hathern, Loughborough
Walled garden
01509 842 268
Entrance Fee
And Further Afield
Ryton Organic Gardens
Ryton, Coventry
Henry Doubleday Research Association
Great ideas for organic gardening, vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit
Café serving beautiful organic food. Guided tours.
Disabled friendly apart from some areas of rougher grass.
024 7630 3517
www.hdra.org.uk
Geoff Hamilton's Barnsdale Gardens
The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland
Beautiful displays and ideas for all sorts of garden.
Relatively disabled friendly, most paths negotiable
Café
01572 813 200
Entrance Fee
www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk
Calke Abbey & Park
Ticknall, Derby
National Trust
A stately home with all the trappings of an aristocratic family in poverty and decline
Acres of parkland gardens to wander and walk in.
01332 863822
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Melbourne Hall and Gardens
Melbourne, Derbyshire
01332 862 502
www.melbournehall.com
Clumber Park
Worksop
Thousands of acres of woodland and lake
Bikes for hire, walled garden, restaurant
01909 476592
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Melton Country Park and Visitor Centre
Wymondham Way, Melton Mowbray
01664 480164
www.meltononline.co.uk
Free