Now a vast country park in Leicestershire, the origins of Bradgate can be traced to Norman times. Prior to that date it formed part of the Charnwood Forest but, with the Norman appetite for hunting, several hundred acres were enclosed as a deer park. Four hundred years later, Sir John Grey decided he would like to build a family home within the park estates he had recently acquired.

Construction of Bradgate House began in the later years of the 15th century, using some materials quarried from Ulverscroft Priory. It was essentially a U-shaped Tudor mansion: the main block comprising the Great Hall and parlour, with two projecting wings enclosing an irregular courtyard. Traditionally, the east wing accommodated private apartments and a chapel, and the other was a service wing with kitchens, bakehouse etc. This was a high status domestic residence, largely built of expensive red brick, and with little need of fortifications in these relatively settled and peaceful times. Formal gardens were laid out on the eastern side of the property, and a watermill once stood at the south east corner of the site. Although no longer visible, a mill building did survive until the mid 19th century.

When Bradgate House passed to Thomas Grey at the beginning of the 16th century, he made some alterations and enlargements to the ancestral home. Perhaps the most famous chapter of Bradgate's story came with the birth of his daughter, Jane, in about 1537. It was this Lady Jane Grey that became Queen of England in July 1553 - albeit for just nine days! Another memorable year for Bradgate was 1547, when the notorious 'Bess of Hardwick' married her second husband, Sir William Cavendish, at the chapel at 2am.

In 1628, Henry Grey was created the first Earl of Stamford. For a decade or more his fortunes flourished, his estate holdings increased, and he was preparing Bradgate for a royal visit. Records confirm that Charles I and his wife were entertained here in 1634. However, during the Civil War, the Greys' true allegiance to the Parliamentarians caused Bradgate House to be attacked by Royalists - led by an old adversary, Lord Hastings. After the conflict, life returned to normal but the Greys were spending less time at Bradgate and more at Enville Hall, near Stourbridge - a seat they had acquired through marriage.

There was a fire at Bradgate in 1694, damaging the north west tower, and this was understood to have been started deliberately by the Countess. Two years later, a royal visit prompted further alterations and enlargements to the property to accommodate William III and his entourage. By 1719, on the death of the Earl, Bradgate House was finally deserted, left to the ravages of nature - and the local people. Thankfully, the family continued to assume responsibility for the park, appointing stewards to take on the daily management of the estate until, in 1928, it was purchased by Charles Bennion and given over to the people of Leicester.

Visitors today can enjoy a walk through the ancient woodland, learn about the rich natural history of the area, and investigate the romantic ruins of Bradgate House. The chapel is the only complete building that remains standing, but there are fragments of Lady Jane's Tower nearby. Most notable is the folly standing at the highest point in the park called 'Old John'. It is understood that a windmill was sited here originally, but in the late 18th century a crenellated tower was built as a memorial to an estate worker who lost his life in an accident. Later used as an observation tower to watch the horse racing (the remains of a walled enclosure for stabling the horses are still visible below the tower), a meeting place for the hunters with their foxhounds, and a luncheon house for shooting parties. One thing is certainly true, it survives as an evocative landmark in the park and the surrounding area.