Sar Lou Adventures

Midlands Marilyns Challenge – Bardon Hill, Leicestershire

When I first heard about Bardon Hill as part of my Marilyns Challenge, it seemed a bit unimposing and forgettable. That was until I realised that as well as being the County Top for Leicestershire, it’s also an extinct volcano. If that’s not enough reason to check it out, I can’t think of what is.

As well as a trig point, near the summit are two radio masts; the smaller of the two was built for the BBC as a link for Outside broadcast linking into the Sutton Coldfield Transmitter. Along the neighbouring Bardon Quarry, the hill sits in a 13.1-hectare (32-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There is a large area of mountain biking (MTB) trails, and a circular route for hikers to explore the area.

The hill and surrounding land are formed of a mixture of igneous and neoproterozoic rocks from which the volcano formed in the precambrian age (500–600 million years old). Near the trig pointed summit is a plaque giving further geological and tourist information about the Bardon Hill Volcano Complex.

Parking was in a residential neighbourhood so care should be taken to ensure that you park respectfully!

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