The folly at the top of the hill is called Old John. This is believed to be named after an old retainer of the fifth Earl of Stamford, who erected it in his memory after John, the retainer, was killed accidentally here.

The park is in the middle of Newtown Linford, a village whose name appears to be the source of some confusion. "A new hamlet by the ford under the lime trees" seems somewhat less likely that the more obvious "New town by the ford over the River Lin". However, in both cases, all things are relative, and "new" in this context means some time in the thirteenth century.

Famous for its herd of fallow and red deer, the former being much more numerous than the latter, Bradgate Park is perhaps less well known for being the habitat of over 500 species of beetle.

The use of the park for deer probably arises from the poor agricultural properties of the land. This can still be seen in the way that the leading branches of trees like oak have died back.

In addition to the deer, you might look out for moles, common shrews, pigmy shrews, bats, voles, mice, foxes, stoats, weasels and badgers, all of which have been spotted in the park.

In the past, the park was also grazed by horses, sheep, cattle and rabbits. Rabbits were introduced into this country by the Normans as a source of food. In common with many other places, Charnwood Forest became over-run with them at the end of the 18th Century. Rabbit shooting became a fashionable sport, so much so that on one night in the 19th century, around 250 rabbits were trapped in Bradgate Park.

Efforts are continually made to reduce the amount of bracken in the park. The diversity of flora in olden times will perhaps one day be restored.

A popular site for birders, the park has been visited by over 80 species of bird, some just passing by on their way to Cropston Reservoir.

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