Braunstone Park
Braunstone Park
Braunstone Park is situated on the A47 Hinckley Road, approximately 3 miles from the city centre and close to the M1 and M69 Junction.
Its an open park, with the main gates for the driveway up to Braunstone Hall situated on Gooding Avenue.
Its an open park, with the main gates for the driveway up to Braunstone Hall situated on Gooding Avenue.
For more information contact: Parks Services
Features
The 168 acre park has a visitor/information centre, a memorial dedicated to the US 82nd Airborne Division, azalea gardens, play areas and two lakes.
It is a mix of established woodland, spinneys and meadows with two lakes adjacent to the southern boundary attracting migrating birds and a myriad of wildlife. There is an open expanse of green parkland reminders of Braunstone’s pastoral heritage encompass every corner of this ancient site. There are numerous meandering paths enabling the visitor to stroll and enjoy the park's many delightful aspects as well as being easily located and accessible for regular use by schools and groups for nature rambles and conservation studies.
The 168 acre park has a visitor/information centre, a memorial dedicated to the US 82nd Airborne Division, azalea gardens, play areas and two lakes.
It is a mix of established woodland, spinneys and meadows with two lakes adjacent to the southern boundary attracting migrating birds and a myriad of wildlife. There is an open expanse of green parkland reminders of Braunstone’s pastoral heritage encompass every corner of this ancient site. There are numerous meandering paths enabling the visitor to stroll and enjoy the park's many delightful aspects as well as being easily located and accessible for regular use by schools and groups for nature rambles and conservation studies.
There are large grassed areas suitable for a variety of recreational activities and sporting facilities that include football pitches.
History
Braunstone Hall in the centre of the park is a grade II Georgian listed building. Alongside is the stable block refurbished in 1989 in keeping with its original character and retaining part of the old stables.
Braunstone Hall in the centre of the park is a grade II Georgian listed building. Alongside is the stable block refurbished in 1989 in keeping with its original character and retaining part of the old stables.
The Memorial Garden by the Gooding Avenue entrance is to commemorate the Park’s use as a military camp during the Second World War. It was used by the Royal Artillery and later by the American 82nd Airborne Division. After the war due to the severe housing shortage, displaced families were allowed to live in the Nissen huts until they were re-housed. A large granite stone placed in the Memorial Garden originally for this commemoration, has now been moved to the Walled Garden for safe keeping.
Close by is the lovely St Peters Church and Church Fields, a surprisingly rural and tranquil spot with close historic associations to the park. www.stpetersbraunstone.org.uk
Recreational Activities
Braunstone Art Club
The club has now been established for ten years and are based in the stable block in the centre of the park, by the Walled Garden, meeting every Friday morning 10am until 12.00pm
Let's Walk Braunstone Park
Meeting every Monday morning at 10.30am, the guided walks take take in the delights of the park and the surrounding areas, finishing at approximately 12 noon. Come and join in the 'walk' it's free and it's fun.
Model Aircraft Club
The 'Braunstone Flyers' model aircraft flying club use the wide open space to the south side of the Hall and can be relied upon to provide entertaining displays when the weather is fine. Link to Braunstone Flyers
Braunstone Community Association
The association organise regular events on the park including the Braunstone Carnival, usually the 1st Saturday in July and the annual Braunstone Bonfire. Contact www.braunstone.com for details of events.
The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden was formerly the kitchen garden to the Winstanley household. The first reference to it was as early as 1792, when it was described as having “hot houses of considerable magnitude, and the garden planted with choice fruit trees”. The hot houses provided a large and diverse range of fruit and vegetables; nectarines, cherries, apricots and melons. In later years it was used as holding beds for trees and shrubs before they were distributed to the various parks in the city. In the early 1980’s it was re-designed and opened to the public on 22nd May 1983 by Councillor R. A. Flint, JP.
The Walled Garden was formerly the kitchen garden to the Winstanley household. The first reference to it was as early as 1792, when it was described as having “hot houses of considerable magnitude, and the garden planted with choice fruit trees”. The hot houses provided a large and diverse range of fruit and vegetables; nectarines, cherries, apricots and melons. In later years it was used as holding beds for trees and shrubs before they were distributed to the various parks in the city. In the early 1980’s it was re-designed and opened to the public on 22nd May 1983 by Councillor R. A. Flint, JP.
The old walls now provide shelter for a rich variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs, under planted with spring flowering bulbs. The formal beds set into the lawns afford stunning displays that provide a riot of colour throughout the year. Most recently a small plot of herbs has been planted adding another dimension of fragrant and attractive foliage to the already spectacular garden.
Facilities
The Visitor/Information Centre is located in the refurbished Stable Block and can be opened for parties with prior arrangement by telephoning 0116 254 8467.
Facilities
The Visitor/Information Centre is located in the refurbished Stable Block and can be opened for parties with prior arrangement by telephoning 0116 254 8467.
Two well equipped children’s playgrounds are located on Gooding Avenue and Braunstone Avenue.
Parks Sporting Facilities
Facilities include:
- 4 Football pitches
- MUGA outdoor facility
For further details please contact Sport On Parks 0116 233 3028
Parking and Access Information
The official car park is situated off the Cort Crescent roundabout with a Blue Badge space available.
Park Users
Braunstone Park Visitor Centre is situated in the old stable block which is in the centre of the park, where the User Group meet four times per year.