Site

Description

Postcode

Contact

Management

Altar Stones

4 acre picnic site on rock outcrop, with geological interest and supporting heath and gorse. Good views over Charnwood Forest

Altar Stones Lane, Markfield , Leics.    LE67 9PX

0116 272 0444

Leics & Rutland Wildlife Trust

Ashby Canal Moira

A 1.5mile (2.5km) section has been recreated linking the Donisthorpe Woodland Park to Moira Furnace and the Waterside site at Conkers.

Moira, Leics   DE12 6AT

01283 224 667

Moira Furnace

Ashby Canal Snarestone

   public house

The canal was built to connect the Coventry Canal with coal mines  around the Ashby Woulds. It ends at Snarestone

Snarestone, Leics. DE12 7DB

01827 252 000

British Waterways

Ashby Castle

Now a ruin the castle began life as a Manor House in the 12th century and achieved castle status in the 15th century. Visitors can climb the 24m high tower which offers fine views.

South Street, Ashby de la Zouch

LE65 1BR

01530 413343

English Heritage

Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail

 in village

This 3.5mile (6km)multi-user trail was formerly the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway. It runs from the restored Measham Station now housing the village museum to Spring Cottage.

Measham  Library

Carpark

DE12 7HR

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Bagworth Heath Country Park

Developed on what was formerly Desford Colliery, the 75 hectares of grassland, heather and native woodland.

Heath Road, Bagworth , Coalville LE67 1DL

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Battlefield Line Railway

At Shackerstone Station the  train runs to Shenton Station. Visit the nearby Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre and Country Park (small charge for dogs)

Shackerstone Station, CV13 6NW

01827 880754

Battlefield Line Railway

Billa Barra Hill

A 20 hectare Open Access site has a variety of habitats: gorse and acid grasslands, and pre-Cambrian rocky outcrops.

Stanton Under Bardon LE67 9PD

01455 255799

Hinckley Boro’Council

Bosworth Battlefield Country Park

Following archaeological discoveries the Battlefield Trails are being further developed. The trails link to the Ashby Canal and Shackerstone Railway .

Market Bosworth CV13 0AD

01455 290429

Leicestershire County Council

Bradgate Country Park

A 340 hectare ancient deer park notable for: the Tudor ruins of Bradgate House, birthplace and early home of Lady Jane Grey. Its flora, fauna, geology and deer herds. Pathway suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Bradgate Park LE67 0HE

0116 234 1850

Bradgate Trust Estate

Broombriggs Farm Country Park

A 55 hectare mixed arable and livestock farm with a 1 and half mile farm trail and information boards explaining the working of a farm. Waymarked footpaths and horse tracks.

Woodhouse Eaves, Loughborough

LE12 8SP

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Calke Abbey Parkland

Calke is a rich and varied landscape, from rolling grassland to ancient oaks, some as old as 1000 years. The park extends over 600 acres. Self guided trails and guided walks available.

Ticknall, Derbyshire

01332 863822

National Trust

Cloud Trail

Part of the 13 mile (21km Worthington-Melbourne –Derby cycle route. Access for all at the trail car park in Worthington.

Worthington, Leics.  LE65 1RA

0845 1130065

Sustrans

Conkers Circuit

A five mile circular route ideal for all users and ages including walkers, cyclists, and in part horse riders. The trail links with Conkers, Sarah’s Wood, The National Forest YHA, Moira Furnace.

 Bath Lane, Moira    DE12 6BD

01283 229494

National Forest Foundation

Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Wood

47 acres of newly planted woodland as a tribute to Diana Princess of Wales with sculpture trails, rose arches, touch trails, peace glade and children’s glade

Albert Village, Derbyshire

DE12 6GA

01283 229494

South Derbyshire

District Council

Donisthorpe Woodland Park

Created on the former Donisthorpe colliery this 36 hectare site has been reclaimed to create a picturesque new landscape accessible for all. Links to Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail and Moira Furnace along the towpath of the Ashby Canal.

Church Street, Donisthorpe

DE12 7PX

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts

Housed in the original Georgian stable block at the rear of Staunton Harold Hall (Hall not open to public)

Staunton Harold, nr Ashby de la Zouch  LE65 1RU

01332 863133

Ferrers Centre

Grace Dieu Priory

 (at nearby Bulls Head public house)

Picturesque ruin of an Augustinian nunnery founded in 1238 by Roesia de Verdin of Belton. After the Dissolution of  Monasteries in 1538 The Priory was turned into a Tudor Mansion.

A512 Ashby to Loughborough Road, Thringstone LE67 8LS

01530 223201

Grace Dieu Priory Trust

Grange Nature Reserve

The grounds of Snibston form a mini Country Park covering over 40 hectares of mixed habitats. An important ecological site for wildlife. A late Victorian arboretum, wetland area with boardwalk and established wildflower meadow and fishing lakes.

Snibston Discovery Park Coalville

LE67 3LN

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Hicks Lodge The National Forest Cycle Centre

Run by the Forestry Commission in partnership with The National Forest, this former coal mining site has been totally transformed by planting a new woodland and creating exciting new trails. From tearaway toddlers getting their first taste of cycling to young teens perfecting their skills or families walking the dog.

Willesley Woodside

Moira

Swadlincote

Derbyshire

LE65 2UP

01889 586593

Forestry Commission and

The National Forest

Oakthorpe Colliery Picnic Site

The 6 hectare former colliery site has areas of naturally regenerated woodland, planted woodland and open grassland managed for wildflowers. The surfaced paths are suitable for all users, but wheelchair users may need assistance.

Ashby Road, Donisthorpe DE12 7QG

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Market Bosworth Country Park

A landscaped 35 hectare park which was formerly part of Bosworth Hall deer parkland. Fine mature trees, a lake, a planted arboretum with exotic species, wildflower meadow and community woodland. Pathways suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Market Bosworth CV13 6PD

01455 290429

Leicestershire County Council

Moira Furnace

A 19th Century blast furnace, canal and barge trips, craft village, country park and children’s play area. Lovely walks alongside the Ashby Canal and surrounding country park.

Furnace Lane, Moira DE12 6AT

01283 224 667

07976 637 858

Moira Furnace Trust

Mount St Bernard Abbey

 Set in an elevated position in Charnwood Forest. The first catholic abbey to be founded in this country since the reformation includes gardens High Calvary, shop and Abbey Church

Oaks in Charnwood, Coalville

LE67 5UL

01530 832298

Mount St Bernard Abbey

Rosliston Forestry Centre

Woodland walks, indoor and outdoor play, cycle hire, fishing, birds of prey, archery, woodland laser and laser clay shooting. Gift shop.

Burton Road, Rosliston. DE12 8JX

01283 563 483

South Derbyshire District Council

Saltersford Valley Picnic Area

Designated a Local Nature Reserve, this 7 hectare site has open water, known as “flashes” created from mining subsidence and then flooding from the Saltersford Brook. Surfaced paths suitable for all users, though wheelchairs may need assistance in places

Measham Road, Oakthorpe

DE12 7RF

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Sarah’s Wood

A 10 hectare woodland and play area has been specially designed for children of abilities. Surfaced paths make it easy for all users to access the wood of native trees and the Ghandi Grove with trees from all over the world. Easy link to canal towpath and Donisthorpe Woodland Park.

Rawdon Road, Moira DE12 6DQ

0116 305 6918

Leicestershire County Council

Sence Valley Forest Park

Wonderful transformation from opencast colliery to wildlife haven. The 70 hectares of woodland, lakes, grassland wildflower meadow, artificial sand martin nesting wall and bird hide makes for great wildlife watching. Surfaced trails provide access for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and disabled visitors.

Ravenstone Road, Ibstock

 LE67 6NW

01889 286593

Forestry Commission

Staunton Harold Reservoir

A haven for sailors, walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and families. Play area and wildflower meadow.

Calke Road, Windmill Hill,

Melbourne

DE73 8DN

01332 865081

Severn Trent Water

Swannington Heritage Trail and  Hough Mill

The Trail guides walkers through the village and the surrounding countryside to examine the Swannington Incline, part of one of the world’s earliest railways. The refurbished Hough Windmill, a nature reserve, evidence of coalmining from 1200-1880, reconstructed horse gin and horse sculpture.

The Mill, Swannington

LE67 8QN

01530 222330

Swannington Heritage Trust

Thornton Reservoir

A 2.5 mile multi-user track around this 30 hectare reservoir is great for wheelchair users, safe family cycling, walking and bird watching. Also a network of trails and footpaths including woodland areas.

Reservoir Road, Thornton

LE67 1AR

01332 865081

Severn Trent Water