Barkestone Wood

Wood, Forest in Leicestershire Melton

England

Barkestone Wood

Footpath at the bottom of Plungar Wood After a steep descent from Terrace Hills on the Belvoir Escarpment, the path levels out onto the Vale of Belvoir — Footpath at the bottom of Plungar Wood Credit: Tim Heaton

Barkestone Wood is a beautiful woodland located in the county of Leicestershire, England. Stretching over an area of several acres, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike. The woodland is nestled on the outskirts of the village of Barkestone-le-Vale, surrounded by picturesque countryside.

The wood boasts a diverse range of tree species, including oak, birch, and beech, which create a captivating canopy overhead. The dense foliage provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, and deer. Walking through the wood, visitors can enjoy the peaceful ambiance and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature.

There are numerous walking trails and footpaths that crisscross the woodland, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore its hidden treasures. The well-maintained paths make it easy to navigate through the wood, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable experience for all.

Barkestone Wood is particularly renowned for its vibrant display of bluebells during the spring season. The forest floor becomes a carpet of delicate blue flowers, creating a stunning sight that attracts visitors from far and wide. The bluebell display is a cherished local tradition, and many people flock to the wood to witness this natural phenomenon each year.

With its enchanting beauty and peaceful atmosphere, Barkestone Wood is a true gem in the heart of Leicestershire. Whether you are a nature lover or simply seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this woodland offers a serene and rejuvenating experience for all who visit.

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Barkestone Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.884251/-0.82313395 or Grid Reference SK7932. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footpath at the bottom of Plungar Wood

After a steep descent from Terrace Hills on the Belvoir Escarpment, the path levels out onto the Vale of Belvoir

Tim Heaton

Footpath onto the Vale of Belvoir

The path from the top of the Belvoir Escarpment emerging onto the Vale of Belvoir

Tim Heaton

Long Lane

Part of an almost 4 mile, very straight (and very fast) route along the south-east edge of the Vale of Belvoir. Might be assumed to be of Roman origin; but is not on Margary's map (Roman roads in Britain volume 1. Ivan D Margary, Phoennix House, 1957). The footpath (right) leads to Barkestone-le-Vale.

Tim Heaton

Woodside Farm

At the south-east edge of the Vale of Belvoir, with the Belvoir escarpment rising behind.

Tim Heaton

Broken oak, Vale of Belvoir

Tim Heaton

Site of the terminus of the Eaton Branch

Until 1958, this quiet and isolated spot in the hills near Belvoir Castle was the site of the terminus of the Eaton Branch, built in the 1880s by the Great Northern to carry iron ore from the many quarries in the area to Scalford on the GN&LNWJt line and then to ironworks such as Holwell, Stanton and Staveley. The picture is taken looking along where the run-round loop and sidings were. The trees on the left are growing on the site of the elevated tipping dock of the Waltham Iron Ore Co, where little narrow-gauge engines, two of them French, pushed tipper wagons brought across the fields - see SK8132 : Faint traces of the ironstone railway at High Leys - from a succession of quarries in the area to discharge ironstone into the main-line wagons. For more about this evocative spot, see SK7930 : The End of the GNR Eaton Branch, SK7930 : Site of engine shed and tipping dock, Waltham Iron Ore Co Ltd and SK7930 : Railway Relic in the Undergrowth, all taken on a less glorious day than this one during the heatwave at the end of September 2011.

John Sutton

Rail in the undergrowth

There are still relics of the narrow-gauge railway which ended at the tipping dock here and worked from 1885-1958. See SK7930 : Site of the terminus of the Eaton Branch for the wider context. SK7930 : Railway Relic in the Undergrowth shows one of the sleepers to which light flat-bottom rail such as this was spiked.

John Sutton

Railway gatepost and old ironstone workings

The concrete gatepost probably dates from when the Eaton Branch had its terminus here (1885-1958). The fields straight ahead, as far as Stathern Wood, were quarried for ironstone at various times from the 1880s until 1948 and latterly known as Long Hole. The pits were shallow and the land took little reclaiming when quarrying ended. Beyond the line of trees the escarpment drops steeply to the Vale of Belvoir 300ft below.

John Sutton

Remains of ironstone workings

The Waltham Iron Ore Co (1885-1958) quarried these fields just east of Belvoir Road from 1899-1905. The picture shows grassed-over piles of overburden left after the ironstone had been removed. In later years quarry owners levelled and restored the land more carefully (for example at Harlaxton, Buckminster and Colsterworth, where the overburden was thicker and the quarries much deeper than here and at Eastwell).

John Sutton

Highgate Lane looking towards Plungar Wood

The ridge on which Plungar Wood stands forms the eastern boundary of the Vale of Belvoir.

Jonathan Thacker

Byway sign on Toft's Hill

Accompanied with a red arrow, the colour used to denote a Byway. The Jubilee Way long distance footpath also follows part of this route, but turns off south and follows the driveway to Sherricliffe Farm. The buildings of which can be seen in the background.

Oliver Bell

Track to Sherricliffe Farm

Part of the Jubilee Way.

Jonathan Thacker

Derelict farm buildings north of Tofts Lane

Constructed of local ironstone and brick.

Jonathan Thacker

Jubilee Way in Stathern Wood

Much of the woodland to the left of the path has been cleared giving open views over the Vale of Belvoir.

Jonathan Thacker

Hills and holes alongside Belvoir Road

This looks to be spoil heaps associated with former ironstone quarrying.

Jonathan Thacker

View towards Plungar Wood

The eastern scarp of the Vale of Belvoir is for much of its length covered in woodland at some points the woodland, as here, extends into the flloor of the vale too.

Jonathan Thacker

Jubilee Way enters Barkestone Wood

A misty November day provides a contrasting view to Mat Fascione's picture of the same scene taken in June SK7932 : Jubilee Way enters Barkestone Wood

Jonathan Thacker