United Kingdom Red and Fallow deer at Bradgate Park

Bradgate Park was first enclosed as a deer park around 800 years ago. It is the ancestral home of Lady Jane Grey (of Henry VIII fame) and the ruins of the house can still be seen there.

The Park offers a wild and rugged landscape with dramatic rocky outcrops and gnarled old oak trees, many of which are well over 500 years old. There is a folly called old John on a hilltop nearby.

Red and Fallow deer roam here and you can photograph the deer rut during Autumn.

The park gets very busy with photographers at the weekend during the deer rut (mid October).

The usual common sense precautions around deer welfare apply so use a long lens, keep your distance, make no noise, don't follow them if they move away from you etc...

There is a flat area of low ground to the west of the ruins of the manor house and, in Autumn at dawn, the red deer often congregate here. On a cold clear morning just after sunrise the low lying marshy ground near the ruined house often gives rise to mist which can create lovely photos with the deer . this is especially true after recent rain.

There is parking in the Bradgate Park car parks for a fee. The car park at Newton linford provides the quickest access to the deer.