GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood

3 miles (5.4 km)

This walk explores the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood near Normanton Le Heath in the National Forest.
These peaceful Leicestershire woods were planted in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The site is criss crossed with a number of pleasant waymarked footpaths taking you to a picturesque lake and the Bowers Brook on the eastern edge.
You can start your walk from the free car park on Heather Lane on the western side of the woods. Then head east towards the lake where you can see a variety of water loving wildlife. Birds of note include little grebes, tufter ducks, skylarks, buzzards and hen harrier.
The woods are located right next to the lovely Sence Valley Forest Park so it's easy to extend your outing if you have time. Just follow a bridletrack south east for about half a mile and you will come to the site. There's a series of pretty lakes and some more fine walking and cycling trails here. The Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve can also be found just a mile or so to the east. You can reach it by following the National Forest Way, a long distance trail which explores some of the highlights of the National Forest area.

Postcode

LE67 2TD - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

As you'd imagine the woodland paths are ideal for a dog walk. You'll probably see other owners on a fine day.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking in the area pick up the Coalville Walk and enjoy some waterside trails at Thornton Reservoir and a climb to the viewpoint at nearby Bardon Hill.

Photos

Blower's Brook - geograph.org.uk - 1265514

Blower's Brook. This small watercourse flows into the Sence, thence the Anker, thence the Tame, and ultimately the Trent and Humber into the North Sea.

Flagship Diamond Wood, Leicestershire - the lake

Flagship Diamond Wood, Leicestershire - taken in spring 2012 just before the planting. The recently made lake occupies the site of an open cast coal mine.

Bluebells in Holy Trinity churchyard, Normanton-le-Heath (geograph 3484196)

Holy Trinity (NOT Holy Rood) parish church, Normanton-le-Heath, Leicestershire, seen from the east with bluebells in bloom

Bridleway to Normanton Lane - geograph.org.uk - 1499156

Bridleway to Normanton Lane. Heading south along the edge of this large field. A small area of uncultivated land on the left contains a small pond.

No Doubt - geograph.org.uk - 292241

Dog at the corner of a field to the east of Nomanton Le Heath.

The Main Street of Normanton le Heath - geograph.org.uk - 3502085

The Main Street of Normanton le Heath

Open cast coal mine near Ravenstone - geograph.org.uk - 1499186

 Open cast coal mine near Ravenstone. Looking north-east towards Coalville in the distance. At the bottom of this field on the left is the Longmoor open cast coal mine. Lots of controversy here as the Government overruled the local council, who had refused planning permission for UK Coal on this greenfield site.

Information board at the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood - geograph.org.uk - 3501646

Information board and map at the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood

GPS Files

GPX File

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')