Martins Wood
Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary
This site is approximately 5 kilometers southwest of Loughborough, on the northern flank of Beacon Hill, which is a significant landscape feature in Charnwood Forest. It can be accessed from the low end on Dean's Lane (to the north) and the upper boundary with Beacon Hill Country Park (to the south).
There is a small pull-off with limited space on Dean's Lane, but it may preferable to park cars in the pay-to-park Beacon Hill Country Park car park and walk the 500 metres to the wood. There are also toilet facilities there.
Although there is no bus service to Martin's Wood, it may be possible to walk from nearby Woodhouse Eaves. Bus information can be found here: https://bustimes.org/localities/woodhouse-eaves
- Woodland
- Public Access
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/martins-wood/
Site species count:
Martin's Wood is a 4.75 hectare woodland, located within Charnwood Forest, and and is one of a network of newly planted woodlands to be found within the wider National Forest area. The site consists of two fields, enclosed to the north by Dean's Lane and on all other sides by mature shelter belts. Martin's Wood was planted in 1995 and is surrounded by dry-stone walls on the perimeter. It is located at a high point in Charnwood Forest, with excellent views looking towards Loughborough and Nottingham. With this in mind, the planting that took place in 1995 was restricted to small areas against the shelter belts. The woodland is situated near to the village of Woodhouse Eaves and is immediately adjacent to Beacon Hill Country Park. Felicity's Wood, another small Woodland Trust property, can be found adjacent being located on the opposite side of Deans Lane.
The hill upon which Martin's Wood sits is formed from the remnants of volcanic activity which occurred 700 million years ago At it's highest point it is 248 metres above sea level, making it the second highest point in Leicestershire. The rocks found here are some of the oldest to be found anywhere in the world.
The site is well-served by a pattern of permissive footpaths connecting Beacon Hill Country Park in the south with Dean's Lane and Felicity's Wood in the north.
The paths through the site are mown grass and generally smooth but moderately steep. There are a number of strategically placed seats which enable the visitor to take in the views northwards over Wood Brook, Loughborough and the Trent Valley beyond.
The mature shelterbelts, which are at least 100 years old, are dominated by Oak with some Beech, Holly, Sycamore and Rowan, with a scattered understorey of Elder and Holly in places. The ground flora is grass dominated but includes Bluebell, Foxglove and Bracken.
Common Lizard has been recorded at this site.
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