Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre
The Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre is the gateway to the Egleton Nature Reserve, which makes up the larger part of Rutland Water Nature Reserve. A network of lagoons and wetlands, joined by…
Nature Reserves
Visit a special wild place near you
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust manages 35 nature reserves covering over 1,200 hectares of rich, diverse and beautiful habitats. From woodland to meadows, wetland to heaths, our nature reserves comprise some of the most important wildlife and geological sites in the counties. As well as containing varied, interesting and even rare wildlife species, our nature reserves are hugely important places for people to visit and enjoy, and appreciate outstanding wildlife. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Explore the links below to find out more.
Help us keep our nature reserves good for wildlife and good for people
- Stay on waymarked paths
- Put rubbish in bins or take it home with you
- Don't start fires or barbeques
- Be careful of nesting wildlife
- Remember nature reserves are special places for wildlife
- Please check each reserve page for individual dog policies as not all our reserves allow dogs on site. We kindly ask that dogs are kept on leads at all times to minimise any disturbance to wildlife
Thank you for helping us keep our nature reserves wild! Enjoy your visit.
Parking
We are introducing What3words to all our listed nature reserves on this page. Please note that there may be different What3words addresses for parking and the reserve entrance. Check the parking information separately from the location information on the relevant reserve page and follow any parking instructions, including parking considerately for other road users. Please note that not all of our nature reserves have car parks. We encourage the use of public transport, walking, or cycling wherever possible.
Thank you and enjoy our reserves!
Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve
This nature reserve may be relatively young, but it is already bursting with life. Just a few miles from Ibstock and Coalville, this is the ideal place to escape the area’s industrial heritage.
The site was farmed, probably for hay, with some pasture, up until the late nineteenth century, when the sewerage system for Coalville was installed and parts of the River Sence were straightened.
The site ceased to function in 1989, but was still used up until 1993, then plans started to take place to transform this area into a wildlife heaven.
In 1995 work began on the wetland areas recreating the natural meanders in the river, marking the start of this amazing transformative journey.
Nature Reserves
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Charley Woods
A mosaic of woodlands in the heart of Charnwood, this ancient, broadleaved woodland is bursting with wildlife. In the spring, you can enjoy a spectacular display of bluebells. Enjoy woodland birds…
Cossington Meadows
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.…
Great Merrible Wood
Bluebells, badgers and woodland birds: what more could you want from this beautiful woodland? Adjacent to Eye Brook Reservoir, the reserve is bursting with wildflowers, mammals and birds, and is…
Kelham Bridge
This nature reserve may be relatively young, but it is already bursting with life. Just a few miles from Ibstock and Coalville, this is the ideal place to escape the area’s industrial heritage.…
Lucas' Marsh
This wonderful, if tiny, wildlife haven is just a few miles from Leicester City Centre – urban nature brought to life. The diversity of habitats, including a scrubby area for nesting birds, in…
Lyndon Visitor Centre
Home of the iconic Rutland Ospreys, Lyndon Visitor Centre lies on the south shore of the reservoir. Enjoy hearing the stories of the Rutland Osprey Project in the centre (complete with facilities…
Mountsorrel & Rothley Marshes
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…
Narborough Bog
Narborough Bog is a unique reserve for Leicestershire and Rutland; over 6,000 years old, this reserve is a hotbed for wildlife in suburbia, with habitats including fen meadow, wet woodland and…
Prior's Coppice
A woodland reserve teeming with wildlife and ancient atmosphere, Prior’s Coppice is a relic of the wildwood that once covered all of Leicestershire and Rutland. When you step beneath the trees,…