clubmark logo

LEI Country

Charnwood Forest South

Includes Besncliffe Woods, Blakeshay Woods, Rough Hill, Abell's Wood and Maplewell Hall Woods


Location Plans

  • Benscliffe "Green Hill" car park - SK509127 - view in Multimap or Streetmap format.

  • Bradgate Park "Christmas tree" car park - SK523118 - view in Multimap or Streetmap format.

  • Maplewell Hall School car park - SK523133 - view in Multimap or Streetmap format.




Benscliffe Woods

This is a sizeable block of privately owned woodland which is actively managed for timber. It falls away in two directions from a broken backed ridge and has complex and intricate features along the ridge. We have over the years used these woodlands in conjunction with Blakeshay (separated by a short stretch pf private land where we have been allowed linkage in the past) and / or in conjunction with the grounds and woodland at Maplewell Hall by using the small privately owned Abell's Wood to link up.


New plantings at Rough Hill are maturing nicely and are being mapped along with an update of the map of the other areas to bring this area together and join it to Bradgate Park.


[back to top]


Blakeshay

This is a smallish block of privately owned woodland which is partially managed for timber. Some has been taken for residential development and other parts are so overgrown as to make them barely usable so the area has not been used for some time. It has in the past been used with Linford Woodlands just to the south.


We have over the years also mapped and used these woodlands in conjunction with Benscliffe (separated by a short stretch pf private land where we have been allowed linkage in the past). New plantings at Rough Hill are maturing nicely and are being mapped along with an update of the map of the other areas to bring this whole area together and join it to Bradgate Park.


[back to top]


Maplewell Hall School

This school is set in a wooded summit off the road from Benscliffe to Woodhouse Eaves. It has a pocket of interesting woodland running down to a stream with pastureland along the stream. We have periodically been allowed to use the school for small training events dependant on the attitude of the head teacher of the time. We have also to tread carefully in regard to the tenant farmer who grazes the pasture.


We have in the past also used the school as abase for larger events running through Abbell's Wood and into Benscliffe. As we are now using a new assembly area and new plantings at Rough Hill, to link to Benscliffe this is unlikely to be a requirement in the future


[back to top]


Rough Hill

Rough Hill is a 28ha National Forest Tender Scheme linking Benscliffe, Blakeshay Woods, Abbel's Wood, Maplewell Hall and Bradgate Park. This woodland comprises a good mixture of habitats. An existing spinney has been thinned to favour the broadleaved trees. Bracken has been removed and heather seeding used to establish heath grassland and heathland typical of this area. The rocky outcrops provide habitats for lichens and basking areas for invertebrates and reptiles. The pond is being managed for waterfowl and a floating island provides nesting and roosting areas. We have parking arrangements at adjoining commercial woodland allowing us to stage events running directly into Rough Hill which is being mapped in conjunction with an update of the neighbouring areas.


[back to top]