We were staying at a Cousins house in Leicester. It was great to catch up with family I had not seen for thirty years. They had to work, we had a day free and were trying to decide what to see. It was either a day in another city checking out churches and the famous King Richard III burial place under a carpark in the middle of Leicester or Bradgate Park just out of town. Obviously a day in the fresh country air won hands down, though secretly I would have like to squash both experiences into the one day.
Bradgate house was apparently Lady Jane Grey's birth place and where she spent her early years before becoming Leicester's 9 day Queen. A pretty sad story to be named the successor in King Edwards will but then to be over powered by the old king's half sister and then executed for religious affiliation reasons.
There was a cafe and toilets within the park but we ate in afterwards in the nearby village.
I did not realise the folly on the hill had not real purpose. I thought they were some defensive value in history.
The folly is called Old John, named after an estate worker accidently killed during a bonfire night to celebrate the 21st birthday of the future sixth Earl of Stamford. It was built by the greys in 1784
A great view from the top. 212m above sea level.
The old manor house in the for ground and the city of Leicester on the horizon.
It was a good walk on a nice day.
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