Wild places

This is an area at the foot of an old railway embankment on a new estate.  It frequently has standing water in wet weather, which affects the vegetation growing there.  It has currently been left unmown with the kind agreement of Jelson, who built the estate. At some point this land might be transferred to the Thurnby & Bushby Parish Council to manage.

The tiny small village of Tickncote is a few miles north-west of Stamford next to the busy A1. The village lies on a slope from the Great North Road to the river Gwash below. The characterful church dates from the 12th century, but a major rebuild in 1792 entirely remoulded the unusual exterior. The interior notably boasts an impressive Norman archway, which may be of interest. The churchyard has a few tree species and many areas to explore.

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2005, the Rookery Lane verge is approximately 500 metres in length, on the north side of the road only. The main habitat is calcareous grassland, and the central section of the verge is recorded to be the most species-diverse.

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2006, the Water Lane verge is approximately 350 metres long, on both sides of the road. The main habitats are calcareous grassland, mesotrophic grassland, and mixed grassland. The eastern side is between 1 and 2.5 metres wide, and is recorded to be in good condition with excellent species diversity. The western side is 2-5 metres wide, and is reportedly less species-rich.

This little church is in a beautiful position away from the tiny village of Tixover, along a field track by the River Welland. The church cannot be seen from the village, as it is nearly ¾ mile along a track through Manor Farm. The earliest parts of the church date to the 12th century, but much of the church's monuments were damaged in the Cromwellian Period. The churchyard is separated from the surrounding fields by a small wall, and offers good views over the river.

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2011, Tolethorpe Mill verge is located on Ryhall Road and Salters Lane, to the north of Little Casterton. The site is 1,067 metres in length and approximately 1.5 metres wide. The main habitats are calcareous and mixed grassland.

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2011, the Ryhall Road verge is 986 metres in length and approximately 1 metre wide, on the south side of the road only. The main habitat is calcareous grassland.

Previously known as Cradock's Meadow, Tom Long's Meadow is a narrow strip of marsh and wet woodland in the heart of Quorn. The site has grown significantly wetter in recent years due to an increase in building developments nearby, and is now predominantly home to riparian species and wet woodland habitat. It serves as part of a vital wildlife corridor through this area of Charnwood and in proximity to the River Soar. The site is bordered on one side by the Poulteney Brook.

The Grade II* church of St Thomas Becket is on a hilltop surrounded by the churchyard. It was built in the 11th century by a Saxon King named Tochi, after which the village is named. The lower tower is believed to be pre-conquest and the remainder is early Norman. The rest of the church dates from the 14th century.

This woodland is ancient woodland on growing on Glacial Boulder Clay and covering 42 ha., however it has been greatly affected by twentieth century planting. It lies to the north of Exton village.

Ancient woodland to the east of Pickworth village and covering 23 ha. on acidic Upper Estuarine Clay, but with some obvious influence of the underlying Oolitic Limestone, the large timber in this wood was apparently removed soon after the Second World War. About half was subsequently planted with conifers. The original woodland was reported to be of the Oak-Hazel variety and Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, Sessile Oak Q.

Twycross Zoo Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven in an agricultural matrix, covering 20,000m² (5 acres). Adjacent to the zoo, it was designed to also serve as a water treatment system that uses natural processes to clean the water that flows through the 19- pond complex. It boasts a mosaic of habitats including ponds, wildflower meadows and mature hedgerows, and has a hide to enable bird watching by the largest pond.

This verge is being managed to improve biodiversity as part of the County Council/Parish Council verges biodiversity trial. It was surveyed in June 2021 by NatureSpot volunteers but we would welcome additional wildlife records from the community, whether plants, animals or fungi.

This verge is being managed to improve biodiversity as part of the County Council/Parish Council verges biodiversity trial. It was be surveyed in 2021 by NatureSpot volunteers but we would welcome additional wildlife records from the community, whether plants, animals or fungi.

Ulverscroft Nature Reserve covers 56 ha. Much of it lies within the Ulverscroft Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is an excellent site with different woodland types, heathland, grassland, scrub and marsh. Poultney Wood, Fox Covert, the Valley Marshes and Herbert's Meadow are owned by the Trust. The rest of the reserve is owned by the National Trust and is managed by the Trust.

Founded in 1921 with the assistance of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, the University of Leicester Botanic Garden was established on its present site in Oadby in 1947. The variety of habitats and plants make this site a magnet for a wide range of wildlife. It is particularly good for bees and other nectar-feeding insects due to the abundance of flowers, with some plants in flower virtually every month of the year. The various water features attract dragonflies and damselflies.

Uppingham St Peter and St Paul church lies to the south of the market town of Uppingham, beside the A6003. The church is located on the corner of South View, and the large churchyard extends over the road down to the small valley below. Most of the church dates from the 14th century but it was practically rebuilt in the 1860s. The churchyard contains a number of mature trees, as well as a range of grassland flora, and has plenty of areas to explore.

Victoria Park was the city's race course until 1883, the park now covers 69 acres of mainly mown grass criss-crossed by avenues of mature trees. It is a popular venue for outdoor events, but has some discreet areas where wildlife can thrive relatively undisturbed. An 'eco-area' has been created in the south-western corner and there are plans to extend this. Ponds, meadows and a more diverse habitat structure are attracting a wider range of wildlife species into the Park.