Mention of the manor of Knighton in the Domesday Book suggests that the present settlement originated before the Norman Conquest of 1066. Knighton once formed part of the extensive Leicestershire lands belonging to the Bishop of Lincoln.
Visitors can enjoy a stroll through Knighton Park, which features a spinney, a Heath Garden, two play areas, a 3-hole FootGolf course as well as football pitches, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and the Wash Brook – which flows through the park.
A short walk away is the charming St Mary Magdalen Church, which dates back to the 13th century. At that time the church was of a modest scale with a small nave and chancel – it was enlarged in about 1350. The church is the only stone building in the Knighton conservation area.
Another historical gem in the area is Oram Cottage – a picturesque 17th century brick and timber framed thatched cottage which is Grade II listed. It is one of only six thatched buildings left in the city and is therefore a precious part of the city’s built heritage.
Knighton Hall lies at the centre of the old village. Formally the manor house, this property was once owned by the influential Cradock family. Edmund Cradock was a well-to-do woollen draper of Leicester, and upon acquiring the Hall his family became the major landowners in the district. The Cradock’s name is still preserved in the village by the partially thatched Cradock Arms pub – a cosy traditional pub serving a range of food and drink, with a large garden that can be enjoyed in the summer months. Knighton Hall and its extensive grounds were bought by University of Leicester in 1931 and remain in their use as a residence.
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