Watermead Country Park, Country park in Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Watermead Country Park is a nature reserve between the villages of Syston and Wanlip in Leicestershire, made up of several lakes, wetland areas, and sections of woodland. The different habitats are linked by a network of paths that visitors can walk through at their own pace.
The land was shaped in the 1980s from old gravel quarries that were restored once mining stopped. Archaeological digs on the site uncovered Bronze Age remains, including human skulls and bones from the extinct aurochs.
Bird watching draws many visitors, with four observation hides giving good chances to spot kingfishers, wigeons, and great crested grebes. The hides have become natural meeting points for people who share an interest in wildlife.
The park has disabled parking, paved paths suitable for wheelchairs, and restroom facilities on site. Fishing is permitted with the right licence, and picnic spots are available throughout the grounds.
A statue of the legendary King Lear stands on a platform in the middle of King Lear's Lake, where local tradition says he was buried. The idea that one of Britain's most famous mythical figures might be connected to a restored gravel pit surprises most first-time visitors.
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