Wild places

Planted in 1998 and covering an area of 5.67 ha (14.01 acres), Blaby Oaks is a site of young oak trees, a small pond, and a wetland area. A bridleway and numerous circular walks exist around the site though they can be muddy in wet weather.

Blackbrook Reservoir is a 33.4 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Shepshed and Whitwick in Leicestershire.  The reservoir was constructed in 1796 in order to feed the Charnwood Forest Canal, which has long since vanished. The first dam constructed was an earthworks one, and this failed on 20 February 1799. In eleven minutes the reservoir was empty and as a result local farmland was ruined, sheep were drowned, and much of Shepshed and nearby Loughborough were affected by flood waters.

This woodland lies alongside the A1 and is possibly, but doubtfully, ancient and covers 10 ha on Upper Estuarine Series clay. The wood, Bloody Oaks, gains its name from the large number of men killed near here in March 1470, at the Battle of Losecoat Field (also known as the Battle of Empingham), during the 'War of the Roses'

This small country park is reputedly the site of the Battle of Bosworth, though recent historical research has indicated that the main battle was nearby. The site offers grassland, hedges and a number of mature trees. It is adjacent to Ambion Wood and a short walk from the Ashby Canal.

Bouskell Park is an attractive area of parkland set on the remains of a medieval village. It is an old Victorian parkland with a pond, grassland and woodland

Bradgate Park is Leicestershire’s most popular park. Located in Charnwood Forest just northwest of Leicester it covers 850 acres (3 km²). The River Lin runs through it, flowing into Cropston Reservoir which was constructed on part of the park. The landscape is rocky moorland with a covering of coarse grass and bracken.

Three miles south-west from Oakham lies the pretty village of Braunston. All Saints Church is in the centre of the village and is set in a moderately-sized churchyard. The earliest parts of the church date to the 12th century.

Breedon Hill is the largest area of species-rich carboniferous limestone grassland in Leicestershire. The site has been dug for limestone for a very long time and  is full of hummocks and dips. It has an interesting limestone flora and superb views. Grazing management is carried out by a very charismatic flock of  sheep. There are the remains of an iron age hill fort, though part of it has been quarried away.

The tiny ironstone village of Bringhurst is situated 2 miles south of Eye Brooke Reservoir, 2.5 miles northwest of Corby. The earliest parts of the church date from the 12th century, and the churchyard is open and grassy, with a few trees and a wildflower area. 

Brocks Hill Country Park was opened in 1999 and covers 67 acres, containing young broadleaved plantation woodland, orchards, hedgerows, ponds, meadows and a medieval ridge and furrow field, with a network of accessible paths. Some of the grasslands have been in existence since the country park was previously farmland, however, the newer wildflower meadows also contain a range of species. The combination of habitats and garden areas make Brocks Hill a biodiverse urban-fringe site. Lucas Marsh, a Wildlife Trust nature reserve, adjoins the park.

Three miles south-west of Oakham is the small village of Brooke, which is at the head of the River Gwash. St Peter's church dates to the 12th century, and, interestingly, appeared on film in the 2005 film adaption of Pride & Prejudice. The quaint churchyard is small with largely open grassy space, but features a variety of tree and plant species.

Brooke Hill Wood is a 15.6 hectare (38.5 acre) site on the southern edges of Oakham. It is adjacent to Gorse Field, Harris Grove and Ball's Meadow, another Woodland Trust site. The map includes both sites.

Broombriggs Farm and Windmill Hill covers an area of 62 hectares, and is located to the west of Woodhouse Eaves and to the south of Beacon Hill. Broombriggs Farm is a mosaic of small fields enclosed by dry stone walls, hedgerows, fences and woodlands. They are managed to provide permanent pasture for grazing livestock and to grow various arable crops.

Broughton Astley Quarry was used as a brick quarry until it was closed in the mid-1950s. Since then the area has been pretty much left to its own devices, comprising a sizeable lake surrounded by marshy areas of scrubland, quality grassland and developing woodland.

The Quarry was surveyed in August 1990 by the Environmental Advisory Unit from Liverpool University Ltd.

HDC has given Naturespot permission to regularly visit and survey the site.

The majority of the church grounds are grassed and subject to mowing but an area at the back of the church supports a number of mature trees with a small patch of open ground in the centre. This area is being nurtured to become a wildlife area and work is ongoing to enhance the existing planting and making wildlife features to encourage wildlife onto the site.