A brief history of Bradgate Park.

Bradgate Park is a public park located in Leicestershire, England. It covers an area of 830 acres and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey. The park is known for its scenic beauty and is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. It is on the site of a dormant volcano and it is a truly surprising place to find on the edge of a city. It feels prehistoric, it’s rock formations ancient and wild, so different to the rest of the county it is set within. I sometimes feel like I’m entering Jurassic park, you expect to see dinosaurs or mammoths climbing their way over the rough ground.

The wildlife here is vast, butterfly’s and birds everywhere, a true spotters Paradise. The deer that still reside here are enchanting. There is an old house in the middle of the park that is now in ruins, sometimes plays a put on the Shakespeare and Jane Austin. Lovely to have such an outside theatre.

The park has a rich history, dating back to the 13th century when it was first established as a hunting ground for the nobility. In the 16th century, it became the property of the Grey family, who built Bradgate House, a grand mansion that still stands in ruins today.

Lady Jane Grey lived there for her brief time on the throne. She was an English noblewoman who was briefly queen of England.

In 1553, King Edward VI, who was Jane's cousin, died without any children. He had named Jane as his successor in his will, bypassing his half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth, who were next in line for the throne. Jane was only 16 years old at the time and had no desire to become queen, but she was pressured into accepting the crown by her father and other members of the nobility.

Sadly Jane's reign was short-lived, lasting just nine days. Mary, who had the support of the Catholic Church and many of the common people, raised an army and marched on London. Jane's supporters quickly abandoned her, and she was deposed and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Mary was crowned queen, and Jane was tried for treason. She was found guilty and sentenced to death. Jane was executed on February 12, 1554, at the age of 16 or 17. Her death was seen as a tragic and unnecessary loss of a young and innocent life, and she became a symbol of Protestant martyrdom. It’s seems to me such a tragic story, but so very of it’s time.

The trees on the park were damaged by the soldiers sent to find her, some split open with swords and many deer were run through. Some say that her ghost resides there, though others say she’s at the tower still.

Bradgate is also home to the iconic Old John Tower, a folly built in the 18th century that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the panoramic views. An iconic building that can be seen from all over Leicestershire, on a clear day. Pagans and witches sometimes gather there for the various solstices, greeting the sun or mourning His passing to winter.

Bradgate Park is managed by the Bradgate Park Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the park's natural beauty and promoting its use for recreational and educational purposes. The park is open to the public year-round and offers a range of activities and events, including guided walks, wildlife spotting, and outdoor concerts.

If you get the chance to visit. It is truly enchanting.