Some of the best Parks and Green Spaces to visit in Leicester
By Hafsah Hafeji
Photograph: Kulsum Hafeji
My earliest memory of going to a park was when my dad would take me and my sister to Abbey Park, early Sunday mornings, to learn how to ride a bike. I can still remember practising on the wide footpaths, the smell of the soft grass I would fall on and the funky- smelling little shelter where we sat to take cover from the rain. I have only been back there a handful of times since but it was that experience along with many others that I think developed my love for green spaces.
One in five people in England do not have a garden, public park or open fields near to where they live and this disproportionately impacts black, brown and ethnic minority communities. Green spaces provide huge benefits to physical health; clean air, exercise, socialisation as well as improved mental health. Also, trees buffer noise pollution which allows for less stress and better sleep. Just looking at greenery reduces stress immensely. Having access to a green space is a human right and a lack of them, particularly in urban areas, is reflected in the health and wellbeing of people who live there.
Below I share some of my favourite green spaces here in Leicester city and a few details about them which should hopefully make a visit nice and easy!
1. SHADY LANE ARBORETUM
Parking: FREE. Small parking area off Shady Lane with around 20 spaces. Does not get very busy perhaps only during lunchtime. And other potential parking near the Evington village entrances.
Dogs: Are allowed. Most are off their leashes.
Play area: No
Best uses: Easy walks, diverse planting and habitats, interest all year with some gorgeous autumn trees.
Toilets: No
Open Times: All the time
Photograph: Hafsah Hafeji
Arboretums are defined as tree museums and with trees being my favourite living organism, I am obviously obsessed!. The Shady Lane arboretum is not huge but it is a good enough size for a nice 30/45-minute stroll and a little bit of reading and relaxing on the multiple benches dotted around. There isn’t much low cut ‘grassy’ space like a park but if you bring a blanket to lay over the patches of rough-cut grass you can enjoy a picnic too.
A great spot for autumn colour with the hundreds of different trees turning various shades of reds and orange. And during the summer, the huge swathes of wildflowers are absolutely gorgeous. Nestled right within Evington village, it is in a perfect location with multiple different entrances; shady lane being the main one with parking space.
Photograph: Hafsah Hafeji
2.WATERMEAD PARK
Parking: Yes plenty. Multiple different car parks/entrances. Approx. £1 for 2 hrs
Dogs: Yes dogs are allowed. Most stay on leads
Play area: Yes
Best uses: Multi- Purpose, Picnics, duck/swan feeding, cycling, walks.
Toilets: Yes
Open Times: 7am-7pm Everyday
Watermead park is one of the most popular parks in Leicester. Perfect for a hot summer's day to have a picnic and watch the huge variety of wildlife and birds chill out around the lakes. What I love most about this park is how big it is. There is always a new spot to discover to have a picnic or cosy up with a book.
One of my favourite yearly activities to do here is blackberry picking! There are tonnes of blackberry shrubs everywhere and from August you can have a real feast!
This park has something for everyone with play areas, lots of ducks, swans and some great cycling paths.
3.BOTANICAL GARDENS
Parking: FREE parking on Gartree road.
Dogs: No. Except guide dogs
Play area: no
Best uses: Beautiful gardens, glasshouses, educative.
Toilets: No
Open Times: Temporarily closed (COVID-19)
Photograph: Hafsah Hafeji
For a horticulturist like me the botanical garden of any city is where I head to first. Botanical gardens are the best places to see the beauty of seasons changing magnificently. Leicester botanical gardens have a little bit of everything from their alpine, desert, temperate and tropical greenhouses to the herb garden. If you want to learn more about plants and their names and see their different habitats, the botanical gardens is the best place to go. It’s a great day out for kids and the perfect spot for a summer photoshoot with some gorgeous planting and a very regal house. They also hold a brilliant plant sale once a year with activities and various stalls full of garden ornaments and specimen plants.
Photograph: Hafsah Hafeji
4.CASTLE PARK
Parking: No car park. Paid parking on Newarke street.
Dogs: Yes
Play area: no
Best uses: Lunch spot for a quick city nature fix. See some great views of Leicester city
Toilets: No
Open Times: Varies depending on the time of the year. During the summer tends to be 5am- 5:30pm everyday
This is a great park right in the middle of the city. Located along the river soar and next to the De Montfort university is a space not to miss. It’s not huge but with multiple benches dotted around, it is perfect for an afternoon lunch and to get some much-needed nature fix in a very built city. My favourite feature is a large moat which you can climb to the top of and enjoy the view of Leicester city below. With the river soar running right across you can spend the day watching the narrowboats go past along the river or feed the swans and ducks. If you're up for a bit of exercise, walk south along the river and get to Aylesbury meadows, another great park in Leicester.
5. BROCKS HILL PARK
Parking: Free. Yes plenty
Dogs: Yes
Play area: Yes
Best uses: Beautiful woodland walks, café, fruit picking and play areas.
Toilets: Yes
Open Times: Everyday
Photograph: Hafsah Hafeji
This is a large park with some gorgeous walking paths. It has a lovely café which is unfortunately currently closed due to COVID. The park has a large play area for kids as well with climbing frames, swings and slides as well as a den building area. What I love most is the open orchard with dozens of apple and pear trees where you are free to pick fruit as you please. But of course, leave some for others!
About Author: Hafsah is a horticulturalist who is passionate about all things green. She has a keen interest in greening urban cities and is currently working for an outdoor education charity teaching kids all about pollinators. When she is not gardening, she loves watching TV shows like Parks & Rec, as well as, reading books from her favourite author, Agatha Christie.
