Since moving to Leicestershire, we’ve noticed the county has a wide range of fantastic green spaces, many of which have picked up a Green Flag Award. 

Having access to a local park and green spaces is key to mental health. A study carried out in 2019 revealed that individuals who devoted a minimum of two hours per week to nature experienced consistently elevated levels of health and well-being in comparison to those who spent less time in natural surroundings.

Not only are public parks a great spot for peace, they have many other functions and are vital to local communities; many offer a play area for children, tennis courts, football pitches, wooded areas to explore, sensory garden and local nature reserves. In my area, many of these services are managed by Leicestershire county council, Blaby district council and a local parish council. Majority of these spaces include a car park and some offer free parking. 

Lets check out some of the best parks in Leicestershire

Here’s a list of parks for jumping to the section you’re looking for.

• Bradgate Park
• Abbey Park
• Braunstone Park
• Victoria Park
• Evington Park
• Spinney Hill Park
• Western Park
• Castle Hill Country Park
• Watermead Country Park

Bradgate Park 

Location – Leicester LE6 0HE 

This was one of the first parks we visited. 

Around 800 years ago, Bradgate Park was initially enclosed as a deer park, offering 830 acres of publicly accessible countryside in close proximity to Leicester City Centre.

This park features a rugged landscape with dramatic rocky outcrops, mature trees, and ancient oak trees, some of which have surpassed the age of 500 years. The scenery provides exceptional views and undergoes significant transformations throughout the seasons.

For those who prefer a more accessible experience, the lower section of the park is easily reachable, with a smooth tarmac carriageway suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The Visitor Centre, located at the heart of the park near the Deer Barns along the carriageway, is free to enter and showcases exhibitions narrating the captivating story of the Bradgate Estate, encompassing its intriguing natural and human history. Within the park, you will also find The River Lin and Little Matlock, Old John Tower and the Yeomanry War Memorial, and The Ruins of Bradgate House. 

It’s one of the popular green open spaces Leicestershire has to offer. I also think it’s the largest park, I may need to check that!

Abbey Park

Location – Leicester, LE4 5AQ

Located about one mile north of the city centre, the scenic River Soar acts as a natural divide within this enchanting park, creating two distinct areas.

On the western bank of the river, you’ll discover the captivating Abbey Grounds, showcasing the remnants of the twelfth-century Leicester Abbey, along with the ruins of Cavendish House, a mansion dating back to the seventeenth century. This side of the park is also home to the Abbey Park Café and pets corner.

On the eastern bank of the river unfolds the ornately designed Victorian section of this public park, featuring evergreen shrubberies, majestic trees, a boating lake, a miniature railway, and meticulously arranged flower displays.

Braunstone Park

Location – Leicester, LE3 1HX

Spanning 168 acres, Braunstone Park serves as a testament to Braunstone’s pastoral heritage, featuring extensive open parkland, ancient woodlands, spinneys, and meadows.

Numerous winding pathways provide an opportunity for visitors to leisurely explore and appreciate the park’s diverse elements. Along the southern boundary, two lakes beckon wildlife, including migrating birds. Among the formal gardens are a WW2 memorial garden, a Walled Garden, and an Azalea Garden.

The park is easily accessible for educational purposes, welcoming schools and groups for nature walks and conservation studies. Additionally, a small museum opens on special occasions.

The expansive grassy areas cater to a range of recreational and sporting activities including sports pitches.

Victoria Park

Location – Leicester LE1 7RY

Victoria Park, originally the city’s racecourse until 1883, now features well-planned pathways shaded by tree-lined avenues, gracefully dividing its 69 acres of expansive parkland. Within the park, two war memorials stand prominently. The noteworthy Cenotaph, a magnificent memorial arch, commemorates the fallen from the First World War. Adjacent to the pavilion, a Rock Memorial pays tribute to the American 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Leicester before the D-Day landings in 1944.

Both the Victoria Park Cenotaph and the two lodges facing London Road bear the design imprint of Sir Edwin Lutyens, renowned for his work on The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. A formal approach to the Cenotaph is marked by Peace Walk, flanked by flower beds, leading from University Road.

Victoria Park, with its historical fairs in the 19th century, continues to serve as a venue for significant community and cultural events.

Evington Park

Location – Leicester, LE5 6EA

Originally a private estate featuring a substantial house constructed in 1836, Evington Park transitioned into a public park in 1946.

During the spring season, the Rhododendron and Azalea beds offer a delightful display, while the wildlife pond and meadows become havens for a diverse array of wildlife throughout the summer. Additionally, wooden sculptures strategically placed among the trees and shrubs contribute to the park’s overall appeal.

Spinney Hill Park

Location – Leicester LE5 5BP

Established in 1885, Spinney Hill Park has become a favoured destination, boasting 34 acres of undulating parkland adorned with pathways beneath cool tree canopies, as well as playgrounds and ball courts.

Generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund has facilitated significant enhancements to the park creating a great public open space. These improvements encompass the addition of a new infinity garden, enhancements to the brook, the establishment of a novel reading mound, upgraded pathways, and improvements to seating and furniture.

Western Park

Location – Leicester, LE3 6HX

Acquired for park development in 1897, this expansive site spans 72 acres, inviting exploration. The main drive, adorned with a carefully arranged avenue of trees since its inaugural opening in 1899, leads to key facilities, such as play areas, bowls greens, tennis courts, and ample parking.

The park’s graceful contours, featuring a blend of meadows, woodland plantations, and well-preserved formal areas, retain a rustic ambiance. This diverse landscape serves as a sanctuary for a rich array of fauna and flora.

A variety of activities await visitors, including a well-equipped play area, a woodland walk, and a summer bandstand hosting visiting musicians. The park boasts a cycling trail and hosts an annual family fun day. Noteworthy facilities include 2 bowling greens, 7 football pitches, 5 cricket wickets, 6 tennis courts, 1 baseball field, and changing facilities.

Castle Hill Country Park

Location – Leicester, LE4 1EF
Established in the early 1980s, the park derives its name from the striking medieval Castle Hill Earthworks, believed to be a Knights Hospitaller monastic grange or sheep farm. Encompassing approximately 250 acres of grassland, plantation, and broad-leaved woodland, the park is bisected by the A46, Leicester Western Bypass.

The southern portion, adjacent to Beaumont Leys, offers splendid vistas overlooking Bradgate Park and the Charnwood Hills.

On the northern side, abutting Anstey, the landscape primarily consists of flat meadowland near the Rothley Brook, boasting an abundance of birdlife.

Noteworthy features of the park include an impressive Bluebell Wood, situated off Astill Lodge Road, and the presence of majestic ash, oak, and willow trees, along with ancient hedgerows and stream banks.

A recent addition to the park is a newly established apple orchard, located on the site of an early 14th-century orchard.

Watermead Country Park

Location – Leicester, LE4 7RN

Watermead Country Park has been shaped from 340 acres of former gravel workings along the River Soar to the north of the city, forming a network of lakes, woodlands, and nature reserves.

Now serving as a sanctuary for wetland wildlife, the park is cherished by nature enthusiasts, walkers, and families alike. It boasts scenic lake views, woodland trails with well-maintained paths, and inviting picnic areas.

Overlooking the 92 acres managed by the City Council is a life-sized mammoth sculpture, inspired by the mammoth, bison, and deer bones discovered in the gravel workings. The northern section of the park falls under the jurisdiction of Leicestershire County Council.

Accessible by foot or bicycle, the park is intersected by the Sustrans long-distance cycle route 6 and local route 1, providing easy access for cyclists and pedestrians.

There are so many green spaces in Leicestershire to enjoy, if you want to find out more, check out the website.