We’ve been to Beacon Hill so many times, so I don’t know why it’s only just taken me until now to write about it.

As one of our go-to spots for a beautiful walk outdoors with the family, friends and your dogs too, whatever the weather, we can’t recommend it enough.

There really is so much to do, and so close to Leicester, Loughborough and the M1 too.

Car Parking

You can park in the Upper Car Park or the Lower Car Park, both with disabled parking and access to accessible routes and toilets.

Each car park has access to plenty of stunning walks, from hill views and woodlands walks through to natural play areas. Parking is payable from a machine on exit.

Views from Beacon Hill

The Upper Car Park is where you can find stunning views across Leicestershire, alongside beautiful rock formations (check out the Old Man’s Head along the footpath) as well as access the walking routes alongside the livestock too.

The car park at the top is on quite a steep slope, but the walk is worth it for the views and for some amazing rock features to climb and play on. You can also enjoy the views from up here if you follow the blue walking route.

Beacon Hill trails and routes

There are several walking routes around Beacon Hill, all clearly marked out with different coloured posts.

The red route leads you around the native tree collection. It is about 0.5 miles long, takes about 20 mins and is a hard surface, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The purple route leads you around the West Beacon Fields, an area with 27,000 beautiful trees and 17 hectares of woodland, where you can find wildflowers too. It is 1.5 miles long, taking about 40 minutes and is a hard surface suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The yellow route is a multipurpose route for cyclists, horses and walkers too. It is 3.25 miles long and takes about 1hr15mins to walk.

The blue route is 2 miles long and takes about 50 minutes, leading you all around Beacon Hill Country Park. It has a hard surface but does have some steep sections.

You can also run and explore freely around the Country Park between the routes, however please be mindful of the Visitor Code, including keeping dogs under control and not picking flowers or funghi.

For the routes, check out the map here or download the map below.

Sculpture Trail

There are beautiful wooden sculptures throughout Beacon Hill Country Park. They’ve all been carved with chainsaws by different sculptors – Lily’s favourites were the leaf seat, the sheep and the frog!

For the sculpture locations, check out the yellow stars on the map above.

Rhododendron Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is fantastic little wooden trail through intertwining rhododendron trees along a boardwalk, accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs too.

There are some wooden sculptures along the path and you can even spot Tania’s Tales, a little wooden sculpture in the middle with little wooden mushrooms.

You can find it right next to the Lower Car Park – a beautiful spot all year round.

Play areas

There are plenty of areas for families to enjoy with wooden play areas throughout the country park.

There’s a small play park up by the Upper Car Park with fantastic views, as well as a new wooden play area by the Lower Car Park and cafe.

You can also find a natural play area within the trees as well as plenty of dens within the trees too!

Beacon Hill Cafe

Beacon Hill Cafe is right by the lower car park. It sells a variety of hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and ice cream. It is currently offering only take away (as of November 2020) and takes contactless card. There are outdoor picnic benches around here with access to the play area too.

The cafe is open from 9.30am-3.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Find out more about their latest information here or the latest take away menu (as of November 2020) here for an idea of what they serve.

Please note, there is no café by the Upper Car Park.

Beacon Hill Country Park FAQs

Which car park is best to park in?

Both car parks are a great starting point for accessing all the trails, however for easy access to the views and livestock, park in the Upper Car Park. For easy access to the sculpture trail, native trees, natural play area and café, visit the Lower Car Park.

Can you pay by card?

Yes. You arrive in thr car parks through ticket barriers where you get a ticket, and you can pay by card, contactless or with cash at the machine before you leave.

How much does it cost to park at Beacon Hill?

Up to 1 hour – £2
1 – 3 hours – £3
Over 3 hours – £4

Are there toilet facilities?

There are toilet facilities available by both the Upper and Lower car parks. Accessible toilets are available by both car parks, as well as baby changing facilities.

Is there a cafe?

Beacon Hill Cafe is right by the lower car park. Check out the cafe section above for more information or visit their Facebook page here.

Please note, there is no café by the Upper Car Park.

Can you take a BBQ or have a picnic?

BBQs are allowed in designated BBQ areas only. These are available near the upper car park and lower car park, where there are picnic benches next to the BBQ areas.

Is Beacon Hill Accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs?

There are two of the trails with a hard surface suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs – the red route and the purple route on the map (see above). The labyrinth is also wheelchair friendly.

Disabled parking is also available in both car parks, as are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.

What is the postcode for Beacon Hill Country Park?

Upper Car Park – LE12 8SP
Lower Car Park – LE12 8TA

For more information, check out the Beacon Hill Country park leaflet here.