Bradgate Park - Old John
This is the most popular attraction in Leicestershire. The park is home to a herd of deer and gives a good view of the Leicestershire Countryside. Find out more about the park at Bradgate Trust.
In the summer, cross-country routes will be impeded by bracken. The course is on a hillside with the finish at the top. To protect against Lymes Disease it's better to wear long trousers and check for ticks afterwards.
Groups should make a booking with the Bradgate Trust. They may assist you with other activities.
For a Score course, find as many as you can in 30 (or 60) minutes. Lose one control for every minute or a part minute late.
Toilets are near the start.
Safety: There are some steep slopes. There is some advice on the Bradgate Trust website "Visitor Section". And at Bradgate Park - Deer Barn course on this website.
Other Courses
There are other courses in the park but these start from the other entrances.
A pack of four different beginner courses can be found on the Newtown Linford Start.
Map: Updated September 2018
Course |
Controls Length (km) |
Suitable for |
Estimated (mins) |
Start point to finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yellow |
12 /2.1 |
Beginner children followed by parents |
20-45 |
Deer Barn to Newtown Linford |
Yellow |
13 /2.2 |
|
20-45 |
Newtown Linford to Deer Barn |
Yellow |
12 /2.6 |
|
25-50 |
Deer Barn (Circular) |
Yellow |
10 /2.2 |
20-45 | Deer Barn to Hall Gates | |
Orange |
12 /2.9 |
Adult Beginner or experienced junior |
30-60 |
Deer Barn (Circular) |
Light Green |
11 /3/2 |
Some experience |
35-70 |
Deer Barn (Circular) |
Green |
14 /4.2 |
Experienced, will need a compass |
45-80 |
Newtown Linford (Circular) |
Blue |
16 /5.5 |
Experienced, will need a compass |
45-90 |
Deer Barn (Circular) |
Score |
15 |
some sites too hard for beginner |
30 |
Old John |
Score |
30 /c7 |
some sites too hard for beginner |
60 | Old John |
Lengths 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.
If you need to know about the map symbols download a Legend
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.
Check Letters | FREE | |
Maprun Short | FREE | |
Score 30 | £0.40 | |
Score 60 | £0.40 |
Check Letters | FREE | |
Maprun Short | FREE | |
Score 30 | £0.40 | |
Score 60 | £0.40 |
For Maps for other courses in the park try the Bradgate Park Deep Barn Rooms and Shop
Cafes at Newtown Linford
Beacon Hill Leicestershire Country Park
Stoneywell (NT) - Timed bookings only.
Only the short course can be used as some controls are in an area which is SSSI and not to be used. Courses will be updated later in 2024,
Use the Maprun app. Maprun app Garmin watch owners may wish to use the sister app MaprunG,or for Apple watches MaprunA, you will need a printed course map.
We suggest you download a map from here but you can just use the one on your smartphone.
Course |
Controls Length (km) |
Suitable for |
Estimated (mins) |
---|---|---|---|
Short |
9 /2.2 |
Beginner children followed by parents. Involves some steep or rocky descents |
20-45 |
Beginners there are a couple of features to help you navigate: Before the start the location and track are always shown. Once you pass the start the location and track disappear ... unless you have enabled 'show track' or 'show location'. These features can be enabled in 'Options and settings' before you start. For some courses, we had added a ‘show me’ feature. Where it's available there is a button on the screen but you can only use it a few times.
Go to the UK/Leicestershire/Bradgate folder in maprun to find the courses. Click the one you want. Click ‘go to Start’ when you are ready. You will need to enter the Access Code/PIN from the map. When you get near the start your time begins once your phone beeps.
Results: Results Enter a time period, Country = UK and County = Leicestershire