Charnwood Forest
OS Landranger 129
Summary
Charnwood Forest covers an area of some nine by six miles, roughly bordered by Loughborough to the north, Markfield to the south, Coalville to the west and Mountsorrel to the east. Within this area there are many woods of varying size and age, and Leicestershire’s few remaining fragments of heathland/upland moorland. The majority of the woods are private, but parts of most can be viewed from public roads or footpaths. The map shows the most popular and accessible sites.
Several other important sites included in the Charnwood Forest area are covered separately in the Birding Sites section:
Swithland Wood
This is one of the outstanding ancient woodlands of the Charnwood Forest. There are two car parks: the north one on Swithland Road at SK 53764 13009, nearest post code LE12 8JL and the southern one on Roecliffe Road, 0.3 miles north-west of the Bradgate Park Hallgates car park, at SK 53791 11730, LE7 7GB. There is public access to the wood at all times. Current parking charges are £1 if you leave before 09:00 on weekdays, and £2 all day otherwise, including weekends.
Please keep to the main footpaths, as the shrub layer in the wood has been seriously eroded over the years by the effects of visitors (and their dogs) straying from the paths.
Regular breeding birds include Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Tawny Owl. Swithland Wood used to be one of the best places in the county to find Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, but this is sadly unlikely now. Spotted Flycatchers still breed, although in reduced numbers. A good place to see roding Woodcocks at dawn or dusk in spring and summer is the spoil tip adjacent to the disused slate quarry at SK 539 121. Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler are possibilities in spring, and both have bred in the past.
Regular winter visitors include Siskins in the Alders along the streamline and Lesser Redpolls in the both in the alders and neighbouring stands of mature birches.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Beacon Hill Country Park
Situated north-west of Woodhouse Eaves, there are two car parks at SK 51038 14472, nearest post code LE12 8RN and SK 52209 14831, LE12 8TA. Charges range from £2 – 4 depending on length of stay. There are toilets in both car parks, and a small cafe in the lower car park (currently only operating a takeaway service – see https://www.leicscountryparks.org.uk/beacon-visitor/ for full details.
The park is divided roughly into two habitats: woodland at the eastern end, and grass heath at the western end.
The woodland holds similar common species to Swithland Wood; Pied Flycatchers have bred in the past, but not recently. Several pairs of Tree Pipits breed on the heath, but not much else. The beeches around the western car park sometimes have good numbers of Bramblings in invasion winters.
Benscliffe / Blakeshay / Lea Woods
All the woods are private, but parts, including several felled areas, can be seen from public roads, e.g. at: SK 51106 11260, SK 50225 11713 and SK 50959 12798, amongst others. Take care not to block gateways, as these are working forestry plantations.
These conifer plantations, north of Newtown Linford, are in various stages of being felled; consequently some of the clear-felled areas are worth looking at for species such as Tree Pipit, Siskin and Woodcock. Crossbills are more frequent in these woods than anywhere else in the county, but may be absent for years at a time. Nightjar has occurre, but doesn’t seem to be regular, despite the habitat looking perfect for them in places.
Outwoods
This wood lies south of Loughborough, on the Nanpantan – Woodhouse Eaves road. There is a car park at SK 51457 15945, nearest post code LE11 3YG (charge £1) and several footpaths throughout the wood. Species are similar to those at Swithland Wood.
Ulverscroft Nature Reserve
Managed by the Leics & Rutland Wildlife Trust, Ulverscroft is a charming reserve with typical Charnwood habitat of mixed woodland and former heathland. Park on Whitcroft’s Lane at SK 48891 12532, nearest post code LE67 9QE. Beware of car break-ins here – do not leave ANYTHING, even a coat or bag on display when leaving your car.