Castle Hill Country Park, located on the north western fringe of the city, is one of Leicester’s largest and more recent parks.
Established in the early 1980’s the park comprises some 250 acres of grassland, plantation and broad leaved woodland. The A46, Leicester Western By Pass divides the park into two linear sections.
The southern section, bordering Beaumont Leys, comprises of relatively high land with good views out over Bradgate Park and the Charnwood Hills. The northern section, bordering Anstey, comprises mainly of flat meadow land associated with the Rothley Brook. Aside from the pleasant Rothley Brook, with it’s abundance of birdlife, the park’s key natural attractions include the Bluebell Woods, located of the Astill Lodge Road and some fine ash, oak and willow trees associated with the old hedgerows and streamside.
Beside the Bluebell Wood a new apple orchard has recently been established. Historical records indicate that an orchard stood on this site in the early 14th century.
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The Castle Hill Country Park is also home to two Scheduled Monuments.
The Castle Hill Earthworks located off the Astill Lodge back road, comprises of an earthen rectangular banked enclosure and fish pond dating to the medieval period. The site is associated with the Knights Hospitallier and seems to have functioned as a monastic grange or sheep farm.
King Williams Bridge historically known as the ‘Dambridge’, crosses over the Rothley Brook. This is a medieval stone packhorse bridge, and local tradition has it that it was widened in 1696 for King William III’s visit to nearby Bradgate House. As it’s name suggests, there was once a sheepwash associated with the bridge.
Other interesting heritage features include ancient hedgerows, some complete with wood banks and deep ditches. These are a physical reminder of the area’s past as a royal hunting ground and deer park.
In the vicinity of the Castle Hill Earthworks there are also industrial remains from the Victorian Beaumont Leys Sewage and irrigation scheme. In its time, this was the biggest scheme of its type in the country. Alongside the Park behind Beaumont Lodge lies Bennion Pools Nature Area containing a fishery.
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The park is very much in its early stages of development. Ancient tracks pass through the park and are now being utilised as public footpaths, a basic network, some of which are formed, and others, simply mown-out. Owing to occasional water-logging suitable footwear is advised. There are some benches but no toilet facilities at this present time.
Castle Hill Country Park User Group meets regularly to discuss issues relating to the park. Everyone is welcome. Contact the park for more details.
The park may be accessed, by foot, from the Astill Lodge Road, Gorse Hill, Sheepwash Lane (Anstey) and Anstey Lane (Thurcaston). Limited parking provision is available at the Anstey Lane entrance. The No 26 bus can be taken from Charles Street in the city centre to Astill Lodge Road.
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Download brochures for walking routes and taking full advantage of the enjoyment of the park
