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The Lightning Tree – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Anstey

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

The Lightning Tree – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Anstey

Easy

hikers

The Lightning Tree – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Anstey

01:52

6.73km

130m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.05 km

The Old Post Office Tearooms

Highlight • Cafe

The Old Post Office Tearooms, is next to the entrance to Bradgate Park, the start and end point of the Leicestershire Round long distance walking route.

Once the Village Shop, Café, and Post Office, it transformed into a family-run tearoom offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and handmade cakes.

It’s an excellent way to mark the end of the Leicestershire Round, but bear in mind it closes at 4pm. Dogs are very welcome, and there is outside seating. There’s also a takeout counter should you wish to start your walk with a coffee in hand!

Tip by

1.09 km

All Saints' Church, Thurcaston

Highlight • Religious Site

The church dates from the 15th century and consists of a west tower with small recessed spire, nave, north aisle, north trancept, south porch, chancel, organ chamber and vestry. The north trancept dates from late in the 15th century and is separated from the nave by an arch. The north aisle and chancel were built by Roberts & Simpson in 1894-95. The vestry and organ chamber were added in 1915. The church is rather quaint and has white washed walls and some other items of interest. The altar woodwork and paneling is very fine and added in 1915.

Tip by

1.90 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

2.60 km

Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial, Bradgate Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

A war memorial sitting on high ground in Bradgate Park

Tip by

2.81 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. The hill stands at 696 foot (212 m) high, and is a prominent landmark across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The earliest recorded use of the name is on a map of 1754, which records a windmill on the site, some 30 years before the tower was built. The tower itself began life as a ruined folly, built in 1784, during the time of George Grey, 5th Earl of Stamford. He got Thomas Sketchley of Anstey to build him the mock ruin, which had strong similarities to Mow Cop, Staffordshire. It was adapted in the mid-19th century by the seventh Earl to serve as an observation tower for the practice circuit he laid out for his horses, along with the building of a stable block lower down the hill.

Tip by

3.30 km

Old Oak on Rocky Outcrop

Highlight • Viewpoint

4.38 km

Bradgate Park Deer Parklands

Highlight • Forest

Great place for kids of all ages to adventure.

Tip by

5.63 km

Newtown Linford Car Park

Highlight • Parking

loads of parking here, toilets and a cafe across the road. Good access to the village facilities after or before a walk, do try the local pubs as the food is fantastic.

Tip by

6.73 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.13 km

1.88 km

396 m

187 m

134 m

Surfaces

4.13 km

1.36 km

644 m

591 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (200 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Thursday 9 July

33°C

18°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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The Lightning Tree – Old John Tower, Bradgate Park loop from Anstey

The Old Post Office Tearooms

All Saints' Church, Thurcaston

The Lightning Tree

Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial, Bradgate Park

Old John Tower, Bradgate Park

Old Oak on Rocky Outcrop

Bradgate Park Deer Parklands

Newtown Linford Car Park

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