6 Forests to Explore in Leicestershire

Checkout places to visit in Leicestershire

Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands, being within the East Midlands. Leicestershire takes its name from the city of Leicester located at its centre and administered separately from the rest of the county. The ceremonial county – the non-metropolitan county plus the city of Leicester – has a total population of just over 1 million, more than half of which lives in the Leicester Urban Area.

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Forests to Explore in Leicestershire

Billa Barra Hill

This 20 hectare local nature reserve, located in the north of the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth, consists of a variety of habitats including acid grassland, which is ecologically significant at a local level. Additionally, there are a number of rocky outcrops of Markfieldite, making the hill a regionally important geological site.

Market Bosworth Country Park

Market Bosworth Country Park in Leicestershire extends to 35 hectares and lies immediately to the east of the historic market town of Market Bosworth. The park features a lake, a planted arboretum with many different exotic species, a wildflower meadow, and community woodland. It was one of the iconic attractions in this area and also you can rejuvenate your mind and body.

Melton Country Park

Melton Country Park is an area of open space 137 acres in size, 10 minutes walk from the center of Melton Mowbray. The park has a visitor center, cafe, sensory garden, nature trail, climbing forest, memorial garden, stepping stones, bridges, bird hides, a dam, a troll bridge, sports grounds, and cricket fields. A park run and junior parkrun takes place every week.

Sence Valley Forest Park

A beautiful 60ha country park created by Leicestershire County Council on a former opencast colliery site near Heather. It includes the River Sence and three major lakes, which attract a wide variety of wildfowl. Large areas of the site are planted with Corsican pine, larch and poplars, which will provide an income when they are thinned in about 20 years. It is excellent for birdwatchers. Surfaced trails provide access for walkers, cyclists, riders and disabled visitors. A varied events programm

Swithland Wood and The Brand

Swithland Wood and The Brand is an 87.9 hectares biological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Woodhouse Eaves in Leicestershire. Swithland Wood is part of the Bradgate Estate and is managed by the Bradgate Park Trust. Swithland Wood is a public woodland in Charnwood Forest, in Leicestershire. Although close to the village of Swithland, it is almost entirely within the parish of Newtown Linford.

THE NATIONAL FOREST CO

The National Forest is a wonderfully varied landscape that is greening the heart of the country. You’ll find plenty of things to see and do and places to stay for a short break in and around our 200 square mile Forest. It stretches from the western outskirts of Leicester in the east to Burton upon Trent in the west, and is planned to link the ancient forests of Needwood and Charnwood.

Map of Forests to explore in Leicestershire