village, is near to Bradgate Park. This large area of woodland around a former slate quarry is a popular walking, riding, and hunting spot. Great Central railway line Towards the Rothley end of the village runs the Great Central Railway, the last main line ever built linking the north of England with London (apart from the HS2 line under construction in 2021). When the Great Central line opened on 15 March 1899, it was planned for Swithland to have its own station, the Great Central having visions of turning the area into a tourist spot. This never came into fruition, but a bricked-over stairway under the bridge of the railway provides evidence that these plans were taken into serious consideration. A small set of railway exchange sidings were built at this location, but the nearest passenger station was at Rothley. The preserved Great Central Railway is restoring these sidings to working order. The railway line extends to Leicester North to the south, and Quorn & Woodhouse and Loughborough to the north, crossing Swithland reservoir by a two-part viaduct. References External links Swithland village website Swithland at the Leicestershire Villages website Swithland Church website Villages in Leicestershire Civil parishes in Leicestershire Borough of Charnwood Slate mines in England