New Year’s Day Charity Walk at Belvoir Castle
To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Dove Cottage Day Hospice – Belvoir Castle is opening its parkland for a special New Year’s Day Charity Walk to allow visitors to begin 2026 with fresh air in beautiful surroundings and at the same time support a great cause.
With the £5 New Year’s Day Charity walk ticket, and free car parking for those who take part, visitors will have access to Belvoir Castle’s formal gardens and stunning parkland designed by the eminent 18th century landscape designer Sir Lancelot Capability Brown. All proceeds from the reduced £5 entry price donated to the charity that has been providing high quality day care to people in Leicestershire, Rutland and Nottinghamshire since 1996.
Visitors can choose from three walks, all marked on a map available to pick up from the ticket office – all of varying lengths and terrain. The hour-long Duke’s Walk is a three-mile circular route that takes in areas designed by Sir Capability Brown in 1780 which have been brought to life by the Duchess of Rutland after the plans were discovered in 2013. Landmarks along the route include Lord Granby’s Cave and the Root and Moss House, as well as Frog’s Hollow which boosts serene lakeside views. Suitable for all ages, this gentle stroll provides the perfect opportunity to begin a new tradition with loved ones.
Dove Cottage Day Hospice provides care to people who are living with palliative and life-limiting conditions, such as cancer, motor neurone disease, Parkinsons and COPD.
Dora Walls, Fundraising Lead at Dove Cottage said: “2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the hospice and with less than 4% of our funding coming from local government, we rely mainly on donations and support from our local community. We simply couldn’t have survived for the last 30 years without our community supporters behind us so are very grateful to Belvoir Castle for choosing to raise awareness of our services and donate to our cause in this way”.
“People come to Belvoir Castle all year round to enjoy the beautiful scenery and views and the New Year’s Day Walk is a wonderful way to bring people together in one of the most peaceful and inspiring settings on the estate,” said Eleanor Melville, marketing manager at Belvoir Castle. “We’re thrilled to be sharing the proceeds with Dove Cottage Day Hospice this year, supporting their incredible work that they do day in and day out.”
Participants are encouraged to wrap up warm and bring the whole family along. Dogs on leads are also warmly welcomed, ensuring no four-legged family members are left behind.
Belvoir Castle gardens and parkland will also be open on Boxing Day (26 December), for families to stretch their legs in the ‘twixmas’ break and enjoy the beautiful Belvoir estate. Parkland passes for Belvoir Castle are available all year round for ramblers and dog walkers alike.
For more information or to book tickets for both Boxing Day and Charity New Year’s Day Walk please visit our website belvoircastle.com/whats-on/events
