Knighton Park, Leicester

Knighton Park is one of Leicester’s cherished green spaces, offering a blend of history, nature, and recreation. Acquired by Leicester City Council in the late 1930s from the Craddock-Hartopp trustees, its transformation into a public park was delayed by World War II, with its official opening taking place in 1953. The park retains traces of its agricultural past, reflecting the 1756 enclosures that first subdivided Knighton’s open fields for agricultural improvements.

On the park’s northeast side, Knighton Spinney, a 2.9-hectare woodland, holds both ecological and historical significance. Established in 1840 by Squire Craddock-Hartopp as an oak and ash plantation-intended to support Britain’s naval shipbuilding industry-the wood was ultimately never used for this purpose, as shipbuilding shifted to iron. Instead, it became a covert for foxhunting before its ecological value was recognized. In 1932, the Craddock family safeguarded it as a wildlife reserve, ensuring its preservation. Declared a Local Nature Reserve in 2003, the spinney now thrives as a biodiverse woodland, home to woodland flowers, birds, mammals, and insects.

Knighton Park has received multiple Green Flag Awards since its first win in 2005, a testament to its well-maintained landscape and community value. Visitors enjoy a variety of amenities, including two children’s play areas, tennis courts, a seasonal pitch-and-putt course, a sensory garden, and a heath garden. The Wash Brook, a small waterway, meanders through the park, adding to its scenic charm.

With its combination of historical legacy, conservation efforts, and modern facilities, Knighton Park continues to be a vital and vibrant part of Leicester’s green infrastructure.