Newton Burgoland

Newton Burgoland is a small village in North West Leicestershire, part of the civil parish of Swepstone and Newton Burgoland. It sits in gently rolling farmland close to the Leicestershire-Warwickshire border, within easy reach of the National Forest, the 200-square-mile scheme that has been turning former coalfield and clay land into new woodland since the 1990s. The village is quiet and unassuming, made up of a scatter of cottages, farms and a school along its lanes, with the wider countryside around Measham, Swepstone, Heather, Snarestone and Odstone forming its immediate neighbours.

Its name has a long pedigree: it appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Neutone', and later as 'Neuton Burgilon' in 1390, a nod to the Burgilon family who once held land here. That history is still visible at the Belper Arms, a timber-framed pub said to date back to 1290, when it traded as the Shepherd and the Shepherdess Inn and is regularly described as the oldest pub in Leicestershire. During the Second World War the village took in evacuee children from Coventry, Birmingham and London, and soldiers billeted at nearby Gopsall Hall used its pub and streets as part of daily life. It's this kind of low-key, deeply local history, rather than any big-name attraction, that gives Newton Burgoland its character.

Top things to do near Newton Burgoland

The village itself is small, but it makes a peaceful base for exploring the National Forest and the market towns of North West Leicestershire.

• The Belper Arms — reputedly Leicestershire's oldest pub, with parts of the building dating to the 13th century; worth a visit for the history as much as a pint.
• Conkers — a National Forest visitor attraction near Moira with indoor and outdoor activities for families, woodland trails and a discovery centre, a short drive from the village.
• Ashby-de-la-Zouch — a handsome market town with a ruined medieval castle (Ashby Castle, English Heritage), independent shops and cafes, a few miles east.
• Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre — near Market Bosworth, marking the site associated with the 1485 Battle of Bosworth Field, within easy reach to the south.
• Staunton Harold Reservoir and Calke Abbey — a National Trust estate of parkland, walled gardens and an unrestored mansion, a scenic drive north of the village.

Getting to Newton Burgoland

Newton Burgoland lies just off the A444, between Measham and Ibstock, in North West Leicestershire (postcode area LE67). The nearest towns are Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Measham, both a short drive away, with Coalville serving as the local post town. By car, the village is easily reached from the M42 and A42, which connect into the wider motorway network via the M1 and M6. The nearest mainline railway stations are at Nuneaton and Burton-on-Trent, from which onward travel is by car or local bus; there is no direct rail link into the village itself, so a car is the most practical way to get around this part of rural Leicestershire.

Best time to visit Newton Burgoland

Spring and summer bring the National Forest to life, with woodland walks, longer daylight hours and outdoor events at nearby attractions like Conkers. Autumn is a particularly good time for a visit, as the young forest plantations across the district put on some striking colour. Winter is quieter, with shorter days better suited to a countryside pub lunch than long walks, though the area rarely feels crowded at any time of year.

Where to stay near Newton Burgoland

Newton Burgoland itself has no hotels, so most visitors base themselves in nearby Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Measham, both of which offer a choice of pubs with rooms, guesthouses and small independent hotels. Ashby, in particular, has a good spread of accommodation thanks to its position as a popular local touring base for the National Forest and Bosworth Battlefield.

Food and drink near Newton Burgoland

The Belper Arms is the obvious stop in the village itself, trading on its status as one of Leicestershire's oldest pubs alongside a straightforward pub food menu. Beyond the village, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Measham have a wider choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, making them the natural place to head for a bigger night out.