Wild places

Surveyed in 2009 and designated a candidate Local Wildlife Site, the former quarry at Little Casterton occupies 35.3 hectares. The site is a mosaic of habitats, with ponds, scrubland, mesotrophic grassland, and woodland, including a plantation broad-leaved wood (100-150 years old) of approximately 4.8 hectares in size.

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2005, Little Casterton verge is located on Little Casterton Road, just south of the village. The site includes both sides of the road, with the eastern side 1,026 metres and the western side 1,240 metres in length. The main habitats are mesotrophic and calcareous grassland. The east side is recorded to be the more species rich.

This former railway line was part of the Great Northern and London and North Western Joint Railway which opened between 1879-1883 to transport iron ore, agricultural produce and passengers.

This section of track has a permissive pathway of herb-rich short grassland which is maintained by selective scrub control in the northern section.  Log piles and tall herbs are present on the path edges which then extend into denser Hawthorn and Blackthorn scrub on the banks of the former railway line.

Loughborough cemetery was laid out in 1857 and expanded at the turn of the century. It is still open and occasionally used for burials. It was designated as a conservation area in 1991 by Charnwood Borough Council. The cemetery is a tranquil place, as its creators intended it to be. It contains a wealth of wildlife and a portrait of the history of the people of Loughborough. At the centre of the cemetery is a Grade II listed Gothic Revival style chapel building which is now used as commercial office space.

Queen's Park is a much-loved local park which has achieved a Green Flag award every year since 2008, a mark of excellence awarded to parks and green spaces. It was first opened in June 1899 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

There is a large amount of open grassland for recreation as well as paths for short walks. There are ornamental trees of note, including London Plane, oak, Black and Scots Pine, as well as shrubs and fantastic floral displays and wildflower planting.

Alistair's Wood is a mixture of new plantation, comprising mainly native broadleaf trees. It also has open meadow and grazed land. In the centre is a SSSI, designated for the acidic grassland community.

This small but varied park lies on the west of Lutterworth. It includes areas of rough grassland, new woodland and a wetland area.

The small village of Lyddington is at the southern point of Rutland some 2 miles south of Uppingham and 19 miles south-east of Leicester. The oldest parts of St Andrew's church date from the 14th century, and the churchyard is unique in  having the remains of a Bishop’s Palace attached.  The pretty churchyard contains a variety of trees and bushes along the perimeter.

The small village of Lyndon is approximately a mile south of Rutland Water. The church of St Martin sits remote from the village, in the Hall grounds, surrounded by mature trees and parkland. The church dates to the 12th century, due to the currently-used Norman font being found buried in the churchyard in 1866. The large churchyard is set back from the road but clearly visible.

It might seem odd including a roundabout as one of our Wild Spaces but this one has proved to be a rich site for both flora and insects. Its proximity to nearby Freeholt Wood and Burbage Wood, and the fact that it is surrounded by trees and bushes, help to encourage a rich woodland edge insect population.

Manton lies just south of Rutland Water and is a pretty little village with quaint ironstone cottages. The characterful church dates from circa 1200, and has a double bellcote and honey-coloured stone with limestone buttresses at the west end. The churchyard is flanked by neighbouring stone cottages and bordered by hedgerow, with some common churchyard flora.

Manton Spinney (0.35 ha/0.86 acres) is located in the small village of Manton, by the south-eastern corner of Rutland Water. It is nestled between Wing Road and Lyndon Road and covers a small area of land adjacent to an open fielded space.

Market Bosworth Country Park is largely an open parkland landscape with mature specimen trees interspersed with small areas of woodland.  The park also includes a lake (the Bow Pool) and a series of ponds (the ‘stew’ ponds – originally created by local monks for the rearing of fish).

This nature reserve is on a rocky hill with rough heath grassland, stone walls and rocky outcrops. It combines the former Altar Stones Country Park with the adjacent Blacksmith's Field (named after the blacksmith's shop that was located on the corner of the site.

This damp area is typified by short sedges and rushes. It runs along the edge of two fields with a footpath leading from the old Fosse road and following the edge of the site. The hedges bordering this area have a good variety of willows, including the uncommon White Welsh Willow, whilst the marsh conditions also offer the opportunity to encounter those insects that prefer these habitat conditions. It is only truely 'marshy' at the wettest times but walking can be difficult and boots or wellingtons are recommended.