Bosworth 1485 Trail: a new way to explore our history

Following the tenth anniversary of the reinterment of King Richard III at Leicester Cathedral, the story of the Lost King’s final days are told in the brand new Bosworth1485 sculpture trail.

The trail connects four remarkable locations across West Leicestershire, taking in churches, sleepy villages, windswept fields, award-winning pubs and the historic town of Market Bosworth. This is not only the perfect way to explore the beautiful Leicestershire countryside, but also the history of England and the battle which fundamentally changed it!

Designed, produced and installed by renowned sculptors Stephen Broadbent, Peter Davidson and Ade Wright, the four very different installations tell the story of key chapters in the Battle of Bosworth Field, which took place in this very county on the 22 August 1485.

The Bosworth1485 Trail does not just tell a story. It invites you to walk it, to feel it beneath your feet, and to carry it with you long after the path ends.

This journey is divide into two parts. The first is the story of a single day in 1485, when Henry Tudor’s army met Richard III’s on the fields of Leicestershire, and the Tudor dynasty began. The second is the story of what followed: centuries of contested history, archaeological discovery, community remembrance, and evolving understanding. From cannonballs and boar badges discovered in the earth, to modern DNA testing and reimagined legacies this living history is still unfolding.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a great walk, the Bosworth1485 Trail offers a powerful and enriching experience. As you explore, you’ll find more than scenic views ­- you’ll find a landscape with something to say.

The route covers approximately 12 miles, beginning and ending in the historic market town of Market Bosworth. It travels through Sutton Cheney, Ambion Hill, Fenn Lanes, and Dadlington, using existing rights of way. You can either complete the whole circuit or choose to explore it in stages.

The Calm Before the Storm is carved from elegant white Portland Stone and rests upon a base of polished black granite, depicting King Richard III kneeling in solemn contemplation. It can be found in St James’ Churchyard, Sutton Cheney.

The Storm Breaks captures the chaos, uncertainty, and mythic scale of the Battle of Bosworth Field and stands close to the actual location where Richard is believed to have launched his final, fatal cavalry charge. It can be found at Fenn Lanes near Bosworth Battlefield.

 The Healing is set within the churchyard ofSt James the Greater Church in Dadlington and is intended to be a gentle, resonant representation of grief, reconciliation, and the long road to peace.

Piecing Together the Past is located in the courtyard of the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre on Ambion Hill and marks both the beginning and the end of the trail. This symbolic sculpture of a two sided coin portraying both Richard III and Henry VII speaks to the detective work of archaeology and the ever-evolving nature of historical understanding.

There is a fifth artwork here for those who choose to take the time to discover it… the trail itself. Key locations along the route are marked with additional interpretation panels to help fully understand the significance of this remarkable landscape. You are walking lanes once trodden by marching soldiers or pausing on a ridge where kings might once have looked down at the field of battle. It is the land – not the labels – that holds the memory.

Take a deeper look at the trail and suggested routes here

Many organisations have been involved in making the Trail happen including Leicestershire Promotions, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and The Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

The sculptures have been designed, produced and installed by renowned British sculptor Stephen Broadbent who has created public sculptures across the UK.

The trail will be officially launched on the 22 August 2025 – the 540^th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth – and is also commemorated by the Bosworth 1485 Festival of History which runs from August 16 to 30 and includes talks, exhibitions, creative workshops and special historic events around the district.