Swithland Wood, Protected woodland and scientific interest site in Leicestershire, England
Description
Swithland Wood is a protected woodland in Leicestershire covering around 87 hectares with oak and lime forests mixed with alder stands. The site also contains two former slate quarries that have filled with water over time.
History
The woodland has been managed through coppicing since 1512 to harvest timber sustainably. It was part of the Bradgate Estate owned by the Grey family until 1921 when it was sold.
Culture
The Bluebell Service started in 1927 when the Leicester Rotary Club began gathering people each spring to watch the flowers bloom. This yearly tradition brings visitors back to experience the woods at a particular moment in the year.
Practical
You can reach the site through pay and display parking on Roecliffe Road and Swithland Road with marked trails for walking and cycling. The paths are well signposted and suitable for different activity levels.
Did you know?
The Great Pit quarry has a bottle shape that widens toward the bottom, reaching depths of around 55 meters. At these depths the water temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius, creating distinctly different conditions from the surface.
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Bradgate Park
2 km
Old John
1.8 km
Bradgate House
2.2 km
Cropston Reservoir
1.5 km
Swithland Hall
2 km
Swithland Viaduct
2.3 km
Roecliffe Manor Lawns
863 m
Benscliffe Wood
2.7 km
Mountsorrel Cross
1.7 km
Church of St Leonard
1.6 km
Church of St Mary In The Elms
2.8 km
Church of All Saints
3.1 km
Church of All Saints
3.1 km
Church of St Paul
1.9 km
Pest Cottage
2.6 km
Draw Off Tower, Tunnel Mouth, Dam Causeway And Bridge At Swithland Reservoir Water Works
3.1 km
Swithland Cross War Memorial
1.3 km
Woodhouse Eaves War Memorial
1.9 km
Coffin Bridge
2.7 km
Vine Cottage
3.1 km
Leicestershire Yeomanry War Memorial
2 km
Police Box, Newtown Linford
3.1 km
Latimer's House
3.1 km
Tiltyard
2.2 km
Former Parish Boundary Stones At Longdale Cottage
917 m
6 Former Filter Beds, Water Tank With Gazebo, And Steps At Swithland Reservoir Water Works
3 km
Entrance Gates, Piers And Walling At Swithland Reservoir Water Works
2.8 km
Swithland Reservoir
2.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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