Breach Hill

Hill, Mountain in Leicestershire North West Leicestershire

England

Breach Hill

Normanton Road and the "Mcmansion", Packington A recently built property which could be perceived as a &quot;Mcmansion&quot;. This term originates in America; gladly &quot;Mcmansions&quot; are hard to come by in the UK. — Normanton Road and the "Mcmansion", Packington Credit: Oliver Mills

Breach Hill is a prominent hill located in Leicestershire, England. Situated within the Charnwood Forest, it forms part of the picturesque landscape of the county. Rising approximately 200 meters above sea level, the hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Covered in a mixture of grasslands, heathland, and scattered trees, Breach Hill boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna. The hill is home to several rare and protected species, including various types of butterflies, birds, and insects. Its rich biodiversity makes it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers.

Breach Hill also holds historical significance. Archaeological evidence suggests that the hill was inhabited during the Iron Age, with several earthworks and ancient burial sites discovered in the vicinity. These remnants provide valuable insights into the area's ancient past and attract archaeologists and history buffs.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Breach Hill offers numerous walking and hiking trails that cater to all levels of fitness. The routes are well-marked, ensuring visitors can navigate through the hill's diverse terrain with ease. Additionally, the hill provides a great spot for picnics and relaxation, with designated areas offering benches and tables.

Overall, Breach Hill is a beautiful and historically significant natural landmark in Leicestershire. Its combination of stunning views, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Breach Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.73418/-1.4428183 or Grid Reference SK3715. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Normanton Road and the "Mcmansion", Packington

A recently built property which could be perceived as a "Mcmansion". This term originates in America; gladly "Mcmansions" are hard to come by in the UK.

Oliver Mills

High Street, Packington

The central section of the street is dominated by this terraced row of houses; further South is the Bull and Lion public house and several more modern housing developments. To the North is the former Methodist Church (closed c.2011), the Memorial Hall and the Daybreak Services shop. Taken shortly before sunset, with the combination of golden sunlight and cool, deep shadows making white balance selection very challenging!

Oliver Mills

Gilwiskaw Brook culvert

Gilwiskaw Brook emerging from under the A42.

Ian Calderwood

Diverging footpaths

Ian Calderwood

Footpaths cross

Ian Calderwood

Footpath by the railway in Breach Wood

Breach Wood is an area of open-access woodland in the National Forest.

Ian Calderwood

Barleydown Farm

Ian Calderwood

Roecliffe Farm

Ian Calderwood

Crossroads in Roecliffe Wood

Roecliffe Wood is part of the National Forest.

Ian Calderwood

Footbridge at a corner of Sunnyside Wood

Ian Calderwood

Footpath through the crop

Ian Calderwood

Hastings Park, Ashby-de-la-Zouch

A view along Dunbar Way, the main road through this housing development. Many of the houses along this road are generously finished in white render - to good effect. The development was largely completed by David Wilson Homes in around 2015.

Oliver Mills

St Michael's Cottage, Upper Packington Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Despite initial impressions, this seems to be one of the oldest properties in this part of Ashby. Before the 20th Century, the Cottage was the only dwelling on or around Windmill Hill, aside from the Windmill of its namesake and a small quarry used for the various Robert Chaplin-designed developments around Ashby in the early 19th Century (i.e. Ivanhoe Baths/Terrace, Royal Hotel). In the early 20th Century it was joined alongside by the "Red House", a large Edwardian manor which survived until the end of the 1960s. This plot, to the North of the Cottage, was subsequently redeveloped into St Michael's Close; followed by the plots to the South from the mid-1970s onwards. The entirety of Windmill Hill is now developed with housing, yet St Michael's Cottage still survived, making for an unexpected sight when its deeply recessed roadside view (as per this photograph) came into view. Surprisingly, the cottage's comprehensive reconstruction and extension into a contemporary-styled house was approved without mention or acknowledgement of its history. This has unfortunately meant that any surviving historical characteristics of the cottage have been permanently lost.

Oliver Mills