Castle Gardens, Leicester
Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary
The site is located in a central part of Leicester and is easily accessed from a number of entrance points off Castle Street, the Newarke and St Augustine Road.
The site is open during daylight hours only – gates are locked at dusk.
Site species count:
Castle Gardens is a green oasis close to the City centre in Leicester. It is located in the historic “Castle Park” area with the River Soar forming a natural boundary on the west and the old Courthouse and St Mary de Castro church to the East (note that access to the churchyard is restricted).
The Gardens contain many specimen trees, shrubs and seasonal planting whilst the Castle motte has more natural vegetation and mature trees with fine views from the top.
The mosaic of habitat types within this small area of green space allows a range of insects to thrive within the gardens. Careful shrub planting provides a long flowering season which attracts pollinating insects, whilst the shady and wilder areas support ramsoms, ferns and bluebells.
The gardens contains an ornamental pond which supports frogs and smooth newts which hibernate in surrounding lush vegetation and stone walls whilst the historic buildings and proximity of open water provide an ideal habitat for bats to roost and forage.
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