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Swithland Wood – Swithland Reservoir loop from Swithland

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Swithland Wood – Swithland Reservoir loop from Swithland

Moderate

4.1

(12)

hikers

Swithland Wood – Swithland Reservoir loop from Swithland

03:09

11.9km

100m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 22, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

886 m

Swithland Wood

Highlight • Forest

Swithland Wood is a small remnant of the original Charnwood Forest managed by part of the Bradgate Estate. As a small chunk of ancient woodland, Swithland consists of mature oak, birch, alder and lime with supports a rich variety of butterflies, moths and birds. This chunk of woodland is the type that would of previously covered all of the British mainland whilst groups of hunter gatherers moved through the landscape.

Tip by

960 m

Swithland Wood

Highlight • Natural Monument

Swithland Wood (situated directly across the road on the northern side of Bradgate Park) was one of the first disposals of the Bradgate Estate by the Grey family in 1921. It was purchased by a local timber merchant who felled much of the timber. To prevent the removal of further timber, and to conserve the Wood as one of the most wildlife rich and attractive woodlands in Leicestershire, The Rotary Club of Leicester launched an appeal for its purchase to ensure public access into the future.

Tip by

3.67 km

St Leonard's Church, Swithland

Highlight • Historical Site

St. Leonard’s is the parish church of the village of Swithland in Charnwood Forest. The first building was believed to be a rectangular cell with three unglazed round windows near the roof on either side. Oil or candles would have provided the only light inside the Church and there was definitely no heating!!

St Leonard’s has witnessed Christian worship since the 13th century. Built of mellow local stone and dominated by a glorious east window which radiates golden light throughout the nave, the atmosphere is one of warmth and welcome.

The first documented evidence for the existence of a church in Swithland is a charter of 1277, although architecturally the building is somewhat earlier. Local granite, slate and Northampton stone were used. The latter can be seen in the north and south aisles around the unglazed windows, of which, on the north side of the nave, only part remains The roof is constructed of Swithland slate.

Tip by

4.51 km

Swithland Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

A tranquil spot to take in the view of the resevoir.. beautiful on a summers day with plenty of hikes nearby.

Tip by

6.15 km

Nunckley Hill Station

Highlight • Historical Site

A heritage centre entre stands on the site of the abandoned Nunckley granite quarry. A branch railway line was constructed in 1897 and conveyed over 100,000 tons of ballast from the quarry for the construction of the Great Central Railway. The quarry was closed in 1924 and the branch line in 1964. Work to restore the line started in 2007 and the site, including a heritage centre, coffee shop and railway station was opened to the public in 2016.

Tip by

7.34 km

View of Swithland Reservoir from Kinchley Lane

Highlight • Viewpoint

The stretch of road in Kinchley Lane going past Swithland Reservoir is a super nice biking stretch, mainly tree-lined, but you will still get some good reservoir views here and there.

Tip by

8.13 km

Buddon Wood

Forest

8.37 km

Swithland Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

Swithland reservoir, built around 1896, is about a mile long by half a mile wide. The Great Central Railway divides the reservoir into two. There is no access to the reservoir margins, but both sections can be viewed from the roads at the North and South ends.

Tip by

11.8 km

Swithland Old Pit

Highlight • Forest

11.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.75 km

3.84 km

2.32 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.55 km

3.84 km

993 m

893 m

686 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 3 July

23°C

14°C

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Swithland Wood – Swithland Reservoir loop from Swithland

Swithland Wood

Swithland Wood

St Leonard's Church, Swithland

Swithland Reservoir

Nunckley Hill Station

View of Swithland Reservoir from Kinchley Lane

Swithland Reservoir

Swithland Old Pit

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