Restorative work to the chapel within the ruins of Bradgate Park is under way.

The historic ruins of Bradgate House and the chapel are much-loved landmarks within the park, and date back to 1542.

Now, nearly £200,000 of funding has been made available from Bradgate Park Trust, Charnwood Borough Council and Historic England to renovate the chapel and restore its visual elegance.

Work will include essential safety repairs and redecoration, a full ceiling replacement and wall repairs.

Cleaning of the monument inside the chapel, as well as window repairs and conservation, will also be part of the project.

Historic England has contributed over £70,000 and £60,000 comes from Charnwood Borough Council's allocation of the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Bradgate Park Trust has contributed £20,000 to make the project a reality.

Nick Rushton, Chair of Bradgate Park Trust, said: "The Bradgate House chapel is the only roofed building within the ruins complex which is a Scheduled Monument.

"It's a 500-year-old building and we want to keep it in good condition so we don't lose its history, and it doesn't become inaccessible to visitors who love to hear about the story of the Grey family who built it.

"The monuments and ruins at Bradgate Park have for a long time served as a key feature for visitors to explore and with thousands of visitors to the park each year, it's important we continue to ensure that the park itself and its unique features remain intact.

"We're very grateful to all the funding partners involved in the project who have helped to make the restoration work possible. I'm looking forward to seeing the chapel restored to its former glory and being reopened to the public."

Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, Charnwood Borough Council's lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: "I'm really pleased that we are able to support this project through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

"This project is important to the borough as it is opening up a huge part of history in the centre of an open space within Charnwood and it will help increase visitor numbers whilst also telling the story of Bradgate Park's rich heritage."

The work's contractors, Skillingtons, started the work in early February, with the chapel work expected to be completed in June 2025.

Other work at Bradgate - just seven miles from Coalville - has included a visitor survey and interpretation strategy for the ruins – with initial phases due to be delivered on site this spring.

Subject to funding, it is hoped that the work on the chapel will lead to a larger-scale repair project on the rest of the ruins which would start in the summer.

Louise Brennan, Historic England Regional Director (Midlands) said: "Bradgate Park has been enjoyed by the public for nearly a century now after being gifted to the people of Leicestershire in perpetuity in 1928 – and the House and Chapel ruins are the crowning glory of this beautiful ancient deer park.

"We're delighted to be able to help fund the works, as well as offer our expertise and advice, to ensure that this part of our national story can live on for another 500 years and is explored and enjoyed for longer."

Click HERE for more information on Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood National Nature Reserve.