Things to do in Potter Hill, Leicestershire

Enjoy a walk at Holwell Reserves, disused quarries, with a mixture of grassland, woodland and exposed rock faces create a peaceful atmosphere throughout the year. A special place for bats, wildflowers, birds and mammals, Holwell Reserves is a hidden gem in the heart of Leicestershire.

This tiny quarry reserve is one of the best spots in Leicestershire to enjoy wildflowers and the diversity of wildlife that they attract, so a trip in late spring and the summer to enjoy orchids, butterflies and even glow-worms is a must.

A delightful meeting of old and new, people and wildlife, Wymondham Rough is a mosaic of woodland, ponds, grassland and marshes – with a length of disused canal thrown in!

Coombs Meadows (or Combs, Combes or Coombes, depending on provenance!) are a suite of grasslands overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. Take a stroll around this botanical haven this summer, and enjoy some of the best views in Leicestershire from the Belvoir Escarpment across Nottinghamshire.

One of the most magical things about visiting Wymeswold Meadows is the sense of seclusion you get when you step through the gates. The river is deeply cut, and, despite being so close to the road, this is the perfect spot for immersing yourself fully in the wild.

Tilton Railway Cutting is a little slice of ancient history! A real-life Jurassic world (except with no dinosaurs), this reserve is managed as much for its geology as for it’s wildlife, 200 million years of history can be seen in the exposed rock layers.

This innovative reserve is part of the Soar Valley floodplain system. Originally agricultural fields, harvested for maize, grazed by cattle and used as grassland in their recent history, we are now allowing nature to take back control. This is perfect for both people and wildlife, as we hope that this floodplain reserve will help to protect the homes and livelihoods in the area, by soaking up rainwater in times of flooding. This also creates ideal conditions for plants and animals to thrive.

This wetland haven is worth visiting all year around, but comes alive in the winter, when rafts of ducks, like wigeon and teal, gather on the lakes, and short-eared owls hunt over the meadows. Wrap up warm enjoy a brisk winter walk to one of the best wildlife spots in the Soar Valley.