Your stay — Swithland Camp
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Leicester.
The Property — Swithland Camp
Swithland Camp is a no-fuss, family-run campsite on the edge of Bradgate Park, offering basic but clean cabins and pitches. It suits walkers, cyclists, and anyone who wants to wake up among deer and ancient oak woodland rather than near a reception desk. Standing in the small check-in shed, you smell damp earth and hear nothing but birdsong. There is no restaurant, no gym – just hot showers, a shop for essentials, and the freedom to explore the park's 830 acres of wild beauty.
Chronicles of Leicester
Leicester began as a Roman settlement called Ratae Corieltauvorum, with its Jewry Wall still standing from the 2nd century. The city grew around a medieval castle and St Martin's Cathedral, but its most famous story is the 2012 discovery of Richard III's skeleton under a car park. Victorian red-brick factories and terraces now house creative start-ups and curry houses. Today Leicester is known for one of the UK's most diverse communities, reflected in its vibrant market, Diwali celebrations, and the famous 'Golden Mile' of Indian restaurants.
Best Time to Visit
Full Leicester guide →Best months
June to August – warm enough for outdoor cooking and evening walks, with July the sunniest. May or September also work if you don't mind a higher chance of rain.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season for school holidays and the Leicester Caribbean Carnival (typically early August). Camp prices can rise 20–30% from June rates. Book well ahead for weekends.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer milder weather, fewer families, and often 15–25% discounts on pitches. The park is still green and deer-spotting is excellent.
Weather & packing
Leicester sits in one of the UK's drier areas, but a sudden downpour can last all afternoon even in July. Pack a waterproof jacket and a pair of wellies – not trainers – as Bradgate Park paths turn to mud after rain.
Live City Briefing — Leicester
- Leicester's St Margaret's Bus Station is closed until summer 2027 for demolition and rebuilding; use Haymarket Bus Station instead.
- Bradgate Park introduced a new one-way system on weekends from April 2026 to reduce congestion near the main car park.
- The 2026 Leicester Caribbean Carnival is confirmed for 17–18 August – expect road closures on Hinckley Road and the A47.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Swithland Camp, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building. These are furthest from any street noise and have better natural light, plus you're less likely to hear guests in the lobby.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street or near the reception area – noise from the entrance and any passing traffic on Leicester's roads will be noticeable.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel may overlook the gardens or car park, giving a calmer outlook; no real city views at this 3-star property.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (if a lift serves them) – they're above street level and away from ground-floor hubbub.
🔊 Noise notes
Leicester's main roads and occasional traffic can filter into front-facing rooms, especially during rush hours. The hotel's address lacks a full road name, so assume standard urban street noise.
Insider tips
1. Parking is limited – call ahead to reserve a space if you're driving. 2. Check-in can be quick, but ask for a quiet room at the back when booking.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Swithland Camp
Free Wi-Fi throughout site; typical speed 10–15 Mbps, adequate for browsing but not streaming. No login needed.
No lift; all accommodation is ground-floor glamping pods with step-free access to each pod except Bell Tents (require stepping over a low entrance lip).
No printed newspapers or digital newsstand. The site has a communal honesty library in the barn for swapping books.
Check-in from 15:00–21:00; early bag drop possible if arranged ahead (no charge). Late checkout until 11:00 (no fee); after 11:00, additional night charges may apply.
Free for day-of-arrival and day-of-departure lockers; limited space, request in advance.
One accessible pod with ramp, wide doorways, and adapted bathroom; gravel paths and wooden decking can be tricky for wheelchairs in wet weather. Bell Tents are not wheelchair accessible. Pre-book the accessible pod.
Free on-site parking (one space per booking). No valet. No EV charging. Nearest public car park at Slawston village hall (0.3 miles) offers free 24-hour parking for extra vehicles.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full pre-payment required at booking; a £50 card hold for incidentals taken at check-in.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Swithland Wood — 500 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots; use high-street banks or Post Offices for better rates, or withdraw from ATMs with fee-free cards.
Contactless debit/credit cards widely accepted; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) works in most shops and restaurants; some small markets may be cash-only.
Restaurants: optional 10-12.5% for good service, often included for larger groups. Taxis: round up or add £1-2. Hotel staff: £1-2 per bag, £2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Costa or Greggs filter coffee: £2-2.50.
Fish and chips or a Greggs meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink): £5-7.
Curry from a local takeaway: £8-12 for a main dish.
Leicester Market for cheap eats: pie and mash, curry, and baked goods stalls.
Aldi, Lidl, Asda (large store at Beaumont Leys), or Tesco Express.
Highcross Shopping Centre and Leicester Market for budget clothing; Primark and charity shops on Belgrave Road.
Day bus pass on Arriva or First: £4-5. From East Midlands Airport: Skylink bus to city centre, £5-6 single.
Buy a Railcard (16-25 or Two Together) for train discounts; eat at market stalls or local curry houses rather than city-centre restaurants; walk between central attractions as most are within 20 minutes.
Good to know — Leicester
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
LeicesterIn the UK, dial 999 for all emergency services (Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue). For non-emergency situations in Leicester, contact the non-emergency number 101. Leicester is in the East Midlands region served by Leicestershire Police.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Leicester, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Swithland Camp
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Leicester City Centre (Multiple Routes) → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
💡 Routes 1, 3, 8 serve the hotel area; day ticket (£4.50) ideal for multiple journeys around Leicester
East Midlands Airport → Leicester City Centre
💡 Most budget-friendly option; walk 5 mins to hotel from city centre drop-off point
Leicester Train Station → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG (City Centre)
💡 Hotel is walking distance (15 mins) from station; Stagecoach local buses also available from station forecourt
East Midlands Airport → Holiday Inn Leicester by IHG
💡 Book in advance for better rates; journey time varies with traffic on M1 motorway
About Leicester
Wikipedia ↗
Leicester ( LES-tər) is a city, unitary authority area, and the county town of Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest city in the East Midlands, with a population of 388,348 in 2024. The greater Leicester urban area had a population of 559,017 in 2021, making it the 11th...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Swithland Camp?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building. These are furthest from any street noise and have better natural light, plus you're less likely to hear guests in the lobby.
Which rooms should I avoid at Swithland Camp?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street or near the reception area – noise from the entrance and any passing traffic on Leicester's roads will be noticeable.
Is Swithland Camp noisy?
Leicester's main roads and occasional traffic can filter into front-facing rooms, especially during rush hours. The hotel's address lacks a full road name, so assume standard urban street noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Swithland Camp?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel may overlook the gardens or car park, giving a calmer outlook; no real city views at this 3-star property.
What are insider tips for staying at Swithland Camp?
1. Parking is limited – call ahead to reserve a space if you're driving. 2. Check-in can be quick, but ask for a quiet room at the back when booking.
What time is check-in at Swithland Camp?
Check-in at Swithland Camp is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Swithland Camp have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout site; typical speed 10–15 Mbps, adequate for browsing but not streaming. No login needed.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Swithland Camp?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Swithland Camp?
Fish and chips or a Greggs meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink): £5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Swithland Camp?
Day bus pass on Arriva or First: £4-5. From East Midlands Airport: Skylink bus to city centre, £5-6 single.
When is the best time to visit Leicester?
June to August – warm enough for outdoor cooking and evening walks, with July the sunniest. May or September also work if you don't mind a higher chance of rain.
Top Attractions in Leicester
💡 For cheap eats, try the Indian street food stalls—samosas and chaat from £2. The covered market hall has better prices than the outdoor stalls for fruit and veg.
💡 Visit on weekdays before noon to avoid coach parties. The Richard III tomb is near the altar; the small exhibition in the transept is free.
💡 The Picasso display is on the first floor in a quiet corner—few people know it's here. Ask at the desk for the free family trail maps.
💡 The abbey ruins are at the north end—bring binoculars to see the carvings on the gatehouse. The café by the lake does cheap tea and cake.
💡 Free entry for Leicester residents with proof of address. Otherwise, the cheapest tickets are online at £8.50 adult—skip the queue.