Beacon Hill - Lower car park
Traditional & Smartphone Virtual orienteering courses here
Beacon Hill is the most popular location in Leicestershire for Orienteering.
Beacon Hill Website
Courses start in the car park and longer courses go round the top of Beacon Hill. The shorter courses are on the level.
There are some restrictions on the use of Jewel Hill from 1st April to 1st August and these will affect the longer courses. Find a Map at Beacon Hilltop.
Permission: Larger Groups should seek permission from the Leicestershire County Council Ranger to use the park. You will also be advised on any activity which might affect your plans for your day.
Groups of beginners can practice by using the Star and Loop system. Download Maps here. Start in the car park so need care going to the control 28. Download the Youth Leader Guide and then print off the maps you need. Use the Youth Leader Risk assessment as a guide.
Safety: Take care on the perimeter track as it's multi-use for horses, bikes and pedestrians. Beware of moving traffic in the car park.
Animal grazing. Longhorn cattle often graze the east and west side of Beacon Hill (from 1st April to 31st October) and pigs or sheep are enclosed in the areas marked 'out of bounds'.
Known problems: none reported.
Value Map Pack: The 3 map pack contains the Orange, Light Green and Score course maps.
Parking Fees (pay at Pay station cash or card): Spring 2022 £2 for up to one hour, £3 up to two hours, £4 up to three hours and then £5 for over three hours. The contactless reader is hidden in the recess under the sign.
Map Updated: February 2019 but Extra car parking and the visitor centre/cafe have been added in 2019 are not reflected on the map.
Feedback: Control markers do get damaged or go missing. Do let us know about any damaged or missing control points, please use our Feedback Form However our volunteers we may not be able to remedy this quickly.
|
Course |
Controls /Length (km) |
Suitable for |
Estimated (mins) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White Top |
11 /1.8 |
Beginner children probably followed by parents |
20-40 |
|
White Lower |
8 /1.4 |
|
|
|
Yellow Top |
9 /1.9 |
A child with some experience |
25-45 |
|
Yellow Lower |
7 /1.7 |
|
|
|
Orange Top |
11 /2.7 |
Adult beginner /confident junior |
35-70 |
|
Orange Lower |
9 /3.4 |
|
|
|
Light Green Top |
13 /3.7 |
Hard |
40-80 |
|
Light Green Lower |
11 /4.0 |
Hard |
40-80 |
|
Score Broombriggs |
22 |
Many controls are too hard for beginners Hardest course available |
45 |
|
Score Lower |
30 |
Adult or children Some controls are too hard for beginners |
45 |
|
Score Top |
30 |
Adult or children Some controls are too hard for beginners |
45 |
The length of courses shown are in straight lines between controls, and the estimate of times is for someone running to someone walking. Both will vary depending on your route choice and ability
Beacon Hill is home to the Annual National Forest Wood Fair, and some of the wood carvings can be found on the routes. See Pictures.
The 45 minute Score course may be started here, but you need to download the course from the Beacon Hill Top maps.
| Course |
Expected time/ Time Limit |
Suitable For |
| Green | 45 -90 minutes | Experienced |
| Score | 45 Minutes | Some experience |
Not may need to avoid Jewel Hill in Summer.