Things to do in Leicestershire, England: The Best Nature & Parks

Our 110 acre farm is packed full of alpaca activities... Take a 90 minute stroll around our picturesque fields with a calming alpaca friend. Or take part in our afternoon tea walk which is finished off with homemade fresh sandwiches and cakes... not forgetting the fizz!! We also offer the incredible opportunity to get up close to our new born alpaca babies and their mums on our Criawatch experiences. Book your experience on our website or, if you just want to visit for a walk around we are open to the public 9.30-4.30 Thursday - Monday with free entry to the farm yard and free paddock walk. Chilli Bean Kitchen is open for fresh farm breakfasts, homemade cakes and hot savoury, home cooked food, not forgetting our delicious cream teas! Pop over for a visit!

Harry & Sally day boat hire in Leicestershire & Warwickshire. Enjoy a fantastic boat trip on the beautiful and tranquil lockless Ashby Canal on board Harry & Sally, our luxury 43 foot cruiser stern. * Full or half day hire & short taster trips * Groups will be able to get a taste of cruising with or without a steerer * Capacity - up to 12 people (self catering) or 11 people plus friendly helpful skipper * Catering packages available on request * Large covered front deck with table, roll up canopies and cruiser deck at rear * Heating and sound system througout * Well equipped galley with fridge, sink, kettle, microwave * Toilet and washing facilities * Disabled friendly * Shop, coffee, snacks and gifts at the Marina Harry & Sally is named after Harry and Sally Trivett, who originally owned the field where Bosworth Marina now sits. Harry and Sally were the grandparents of Ben and Josh Trivett who built the Marina.

Tropical Birdland is a unique visitor attraction which is home to over 250 birds with a variety of stunning free-flying parrots from all around the world. We are set in 6.5 acres of English countryside which houses aviaries, woodlands and a restaurant, to name a few.

16 acres of lovingly cultivated grounds and greenhouses display a wide variety of features and environments. The formal planting centres around a restored Edwardian garden. Other planting includes an arboretum, a herb garden, woodland and herbaceous borders, rock gardens, a water garden, special collections of Skimmia, Aubrieta, and hardy Fuchsia, and a series of glasshouses displaying temperate and tropical plants, alpines and succulents. This garden one of the most diverse in the region. It is the perfect place for a pleasant walk and there are benches for those who simply wish to relax and admire the surroundings. Variety is the key to this garden's strength.

Bradgate Park was first enclosed as a deer park (for hunting) in the 12th Century. Herds of Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely across the Park's 800 acres today.The Park is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its importance as a wildlife habitat and its geological interest - the 600 million year old Precambrian rocks here are some of the oldest in England. Bradgate House, built around the year 1500, was one of the first unfortified, brick-built country houses in the country and was the childhood home of Lady Jane Grey and played an important role in the English Civil War. Abandoned in the 18th Century, the house is now an evocative ruin set in a landscape that has changed little since the house's heyday. Bradgate offers visitors the chance to experience surprisingly wild and unspoilt countryside within a short travelling time of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby and is only 10 minutes from the M1 (J21 or 22). Explore the story of the Park in our new Visitor Centre, stop for a cup of tea or lunch in one of our two tearooms or just bring a picnic and sit by the river. Bradgate Park was listed in the Top 10 Parks in the UK in the 2014 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. We stage a variety of events throughout the year including guided walks to explore the Park's history and landscape, wildlife events such as stream dipping, moth trapping and fungi forays, seasonal fairs focussing on local produce and traditional crafts as well as outdoor theatre performances and concerts in the ruins of Bradgate House. Keep an eye on our website,follow us on Facebook and Twitter or pick up a leaflet on site to keep up to date with what's on.

A great place to walk, cycle and much more! In the heart of the National Forest, Hicks Lodge is a former coal mining site that has been totally transformed by new plantings and exciting trails for you to enjoy. A great day out for the budding cyclist, from tearaway toddlers to young teens perfecting their skills, we’ve got a range of trails for beginner to intermediate appetites. Visit our lakeside bird hide where you can soak in the beautiful scenery and spot some unique wildlife, such as the migratory sand martins. There are also walking and horse riding paths to explore the forest, a play area and a café!