RAF Desford

Desford is a village and civil parish in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of England, 7 miles (11 km) west of the centre of Leicester and around 7 miles north east of Hinckley. Situated on a hill approximately 400 feet above sea level, the parish includes the hamlets of Botcheston and Newtown Unthank and a scattered settlement at Lindridge. The population at the 2021 census had increased to 4,592. Desford is in the Doomsday Book of 1086 but the name itself is older than that meaning Deor's Ford suggesting an Anglo Saxon origin. Another suggestion is that it means 'ford frequented with wild animals'.

Bosworth Academy (formerly Bosworth Community College) is a coeducational secondary school located in Desford, Leicester, England and is part of the LiFE Multi-Academy Trust. It was a Sports College under the UK's Specialist School Programme, a status which was attained in 2003. The majority of students transfer to the school at the age of 11 from Primary Schools within the catchment area. The Executive Headteacher of the LiFE Multi-Academy Trust is Chris Parkinson and the Head of School for Bosworth Academy is Simon Brown.

Peckleton is a small village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Kirkby Mallory, Peckleton and Stapleton, in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire, England. The villages of Kirkby Mallory and Stapleton also form part of the parish. Thus, according to the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 1,077, falling slightly to 1,067 at the 2011 census. Due east of the village is Peckleton Common, adjacent to The Glebe Fisheries, an angling centre of excellence completed in 1996. The local church, St Mary Magdalene, is located just south of the village centre. Notable residents of Peckleton include George Vincent (MP), heir (through his mother) to the Moton family which held the manor of Peckleton for centuries; and descendants of Charles Henry Bennett, illustrator to Charles Darwin and Lewis Carroll.

Tropical Birdland in the north of the village of Desford, Leicestershire, England, is a visitor attraction that has many bird species including parrots, toucans, hornbills and owls on display. Some of the birds are allowed to fly out-of-doors during visiting hours.

Desford railway station was a railway station in Leicestershire, England on the Leicester and Swannington Railway, which later became part of the Midland Railway's Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line.

Leicester Forest West is a hamlet and civil parish in the Blaby district of Leicestershire, England. It has a population of about 30, making it much smaller than its neighbour, Leicester Forest East. The village takes its name from the ancient Leicester Forest.

Newtown Unthank is a hamlet in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire about 6 miles (10 km) west of Leicester. It is in the civil parish of Desford and about a mile northeast of the village. Newtown Unthank was the site of Desford railway station on the Leicester and Swannington Railway, which became part of the Leicester to Burton-upon-Trent Line. The station was closed in the 20th century; the railway between Leicester and Burton-upon-Trent remains open for freight trains.

Botcheston Bog is a 2.9-hectare (7.2-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Botcheston, west of Leicester.This grazed marsh on peaty soil is dominated by carnation sedge, hard rush, creeping bent and meadowsweet. Other plants include several which are rare in the county.The site is private land with no public access.

Kirkby Mallory is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Kirkby Mallory, Peckleton and Stapleton, in the Hinckley and Bosworth district, in the county of Leicestershire, England. In 1931 the parish had a population of 231.It is known mainly for its Race Circuit, Mallory Park, a one-mile (1.6 km) track where car and motorbike races take place. Its church is All Saints and is located near the entrance. Numerous lakes and farms are situated in and around the village and the lakes are popular fishing areas. There is a yearly firework display at the circuit which is well attended by residents and locals.

Botcheston is a hamlet in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) west of Leicester. It is in the civil parish of Desford and about a mile north of the village. The population is included in the civil parish of Desford. Botcheston's only Grade II* listed building is the War Memorial North of Polebrook House commemorating 36 attendees of the hamlet's former Industrial School for Boys who gave their lives during World War One, which now functions as a residential home.Records of Botcheston date back to 1846, when it was regarded as a 37 person hamlet. The hamlet's history can be further dated back to 1575, albeit as footnote. Botcheston has about 200 households, a public house dating back to 1863 and a village hall. The Greyhound is credited with being a venue for numerous up-and-coming Leicestershire-based bands over the years, and has seen Kasabian, Perfume and The Young Knives perform. Included amongst Botcheston's other amenities are the Botcheston Bog a noted Site of Special Scientific Interest, Botcheston Wicksteed Park Stadium a leisure park frequently used by local amateur football teams, and Forest Hill Golf Course on the backdrop of the National Forest.

Earl Shilton is a market town in Leicestershire, England, about 5 miles (8 km) from Hinckley and about 10 mi (16 km) from Leicester. The 2011 Census recorded its population as 10,047.

Thurlaston is a village and civil parish in Leicestershire, England. It is in the Blaby local government district, just over 6 miles (9.7 km) west of the City of Leicester. The 2001 census stated that the parish had a population of 745, The 2011 census (including Frolesworth) gave the population as 807.In 1872 Thurlaston was described as: "Thurlaston, a parish, with a village and two townships, in Blaby district, Leicester; 3½ miles SSE of Desford r. station, and 6 NE of Hinckley. It has a post-office under Hinckley. Acres, 2,980. Real property, £5,914. Pop., 698. Houses, 148."