← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Ash Spinney

1 ha

📷 Mat Fascione · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeInsectsBirds

Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

52.58509, -1.27803

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Black Sexton Beetle, Box Tree Moth, German Wasp +566 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Black Sexton Beetle, Box Tree Moth, German Wasp +566 more · last seen 2026

Free

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Magpie, Wren, Jackdaw +23 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Wren, Jackdaw +23 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Parrot Waxcap, Ballerina, Meadow Waxcap +2 more · last seen 2024; Fungi — Parrot Waxcap, Ballerina, Meadow Waxcap +2 more · last seen 2024

Varies

Foraging

Good match

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — White Dead-nettle, Garlic Mustard, Hogweed

Varies

Seasonal nature

Good match

Plants — Mistletoe, Himalayan Balsam, Ground-ivy +5 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Mistletoe, Himalayan Balsam, Ground-ivy +5 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

14 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Footpath V51Walking route

Named routeRef V51

Bridleway V53Walking route

Named routeRef V53

Bridleway V29Walking route

Named routeRef V29

Footpath V35Walking route

Named routeRef V35

Footpath U50Walking route

Named routeRef U50

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Leicester 'Route 3'Cycling route

Named routeRef 3Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

23,994 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

23,994 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds18 species

winterspring

2026

Magpie · Jackdaw · Greenfinch · Wren · Chaffinch +13

MagpiePica pica
JackdawColoeus monedula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
DunnockPrunella modularis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Coal TitPeriparus ater
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025

🦌

Mammals5 species

springwinter

2026

Brown Hare · Badger · Mole · Wood Mouse · Brown Rat

Brown HareLepus europaeus
BadgerMeles meles
MoleTalpa europaea
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2025

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springsummer

2026

Common Frog · Smooth Newt · Common Toad

Common FrogRana temporaria
Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2025
Common ToadBufo bufo2025

🐝

Insects151 species

summer

2026

German Wasp · Forest Cuckoo Bee · Mottled Umber · Chestnut · Limnephilus lunatus +146

German WaspVespula germanica
Forest Cuckoo BeeBombus sylvestris
Mottled UmberErannis defoliaria
ChestnutConistra vaccinii
Limnephilus lunatusLimnephilus lunatus2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025
European Corn-borerOstrinia nubilalis2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025
Small RanunculusHecatera dysodea2025
Nicrophorus investigatorNicrophorus investigator2025
Lesser EarwigLabia minor2025
Black-horned GemMicrochrysa polita2025
HornetVespa crabro2025
Pied ShieldbugTritomegas bicolor
Bright-line Brown-eyeLacanobia oleracea
Double-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciata
Lead-coloured DrabOrthosia populeti
Brindled BeautyLycia hirtaria
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Shoulder StripeEarophila badiata
March MothAlsophila aescularia
PeacockAglais io
Hemlock MothAgonopterix alstromeriana
CommaPolygonia c-album
Dotted BorderAgriopis marginaria
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
AgonopterixAgonopterix
Common PlumeEmmelina monodactyla
Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus
Early ThornSelenia dentaria
Ophion variegatusOphion variegatus
Small QuakerOrthosia cruda
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Dark ChestnutConistra ligula
Twin-spotted QuakerAnorthoa munda
Clouded DrabOrthosia incerta
SatelliteEupsilia transversa
Hebrew CharacterOrthosia gothica
Common QuakerOrthosia cerasi
Oak BeautyBiston strataria
Pale Brindled BeautyPhigalia pilosaria
Light Brown Apple MothEpiphyas postvittana
Early MothTheria primaria
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria
Silver FishLepisma saccharinum
Winter MothOperophtera brumata2025
Yellow-Line QuakerLeptologia macilenta2025
December MothPoecilocampa populi2025
Lead-coloured TortrixAcleris sparsana2025
Chrysoperla carnea groupChrysoperla carnea group2025
Heart & DartAgrotis exclamationis2025
Scarce UmberAgriopis aurantiaria2025
SprawlerAsteroscopus sphinx2025
BrickSunira circellaris2025
Acleris ferrugana/notanaAcleris ferrugana/notana2025
Long-horned Flat-bodyCarcina quercana2025
November Moth agg.Epirrita dilutata agg.2025
Red-Line QuakerLeptologia lota2025
Feathered ThornColotois pennaria2025
Deep-brown DartAporophyla lueneburgensis2025
Box BugGonocerus acuteangulatus2025
Merveille du JourGriposia aprilina2025
Clancy's RusticCaradrina kadenii2025
Common GroundlingTeleiodes vulgella2025
Blair's Shoulder-knotLithophane leautieri2025
Green-brindled CrescentAllophyes oxyacanthae2025
Orange SallowTiliacea citrago2025
Brown-Spot PinionAnchoscelis litura2025
Beaded ChestnutAgrochola lychnidis2025
Brindled GreenDryobotodes eremita2025
Lunar UnderwingAnchoscelis lunosa2025
Black RusticAporophyla nigra2025
Common Marbled StrawAethes smeathmanniana2025
Vetch MothAproaerema anthyllidella2025
Rusty DotUdea ferrugalis2025
Dewick's PlusiaMacdunnoughia confusa2025
VestalRhodometra sacraria2025
Cryptic Ash Bud MothPrays ruficeps2025
Garden MomphaMompha subbistrigella2025
Meadow Hook-wingAncylis badiana2025
Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia spinosella2025
Horse-Chestnut Leaf-minerCameraria ohridella2025
Common Daisy MothDichrorampha acuminatana2025
Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua fimbriata2025
SallowCirrhia icteritia2025
Silver-spotted VeneerEuchromius ocellea2025
Ash Bud MothPrays fraxinella2025
Oak Hook-tipWatsonalla binaria2025
Beet MothScrobipalpa ocellatella2025
NutmegAnarta trifolii2025
Orange SwiftTriodia sylvina2025
Dark Bordered PearlEvergestis limbata2025
Centre-barred SallowAtethmia centrago2025
Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2025
Barred Needle-minerCedestis subfasciella2025
Triple-spotted Nest MothTinea trinotella2025
Bordered BeautyEpione repandaria2025
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2025
Spotted MagpieAnania coronata2025
Goosefoot OwletScythris limbella2025
Pebble Hook-tipDrepana falcataria2025
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2025
Rhomboid TortrixAcleris rhombana2025
Small Square-spotDiarsia rubi2025
Twin-barred Knot-hornHomoeosoma sinuella2025
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2025
Juniper ShieldbugCyphostethus tristriatus2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Stenodema (Brachystira) calcarataStenodema (Brachystira) calcarata2025
Garden Rose TortrixAcleris variegana2025
Micromus variegatusMicromus variegatus2025
Streaked Ridge-backEpermenia falciformis2025
Pale-streaked Grass-mothAgriphila selasella2025
Double-striped Knot-hornCryptoblabes bistriga2025
Ringed China-markParapoynx stratiotata2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Square-spot RusticXestia xanthographa2025
Honeysuckle MothYpsolopha dentella2025
Purple-washed Tip MothArgyresthia semifusca2025
Chevron Grass-mothAgriphila geniculea2025
Small China-markCataclysta lemnata2025
Gold SpotPlusia festucae2025
Buff ErmineSpilosoma lutea2025
Chequered Grass-mothCatoptria falsella2025
Ash PugEupithecia innotata form fraxinata2025
Rosy RusticHydraecia micacea2025
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2025
Yellow-barred BrindleAcasis viretata2025
Pale EggarTrichiura crataegi2025
Dark Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia albistria2025
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus2025
Common Purple & GoldPyrausta purpuralis2025
Canary-shouldered ThornEnnomos alniaria2025
Wax MothGalleria mellonella2025
Netted TortrixAcleris forsskaleana2025
Pale ProminentPterostoma palpina2025
Ash-bark Knot-hornEuzophera pinguis2025
Maple PugEupithecia inturbata2025
Pale Straw PearlUdea lutealis2025
Black-fronted StrawCochylichroa atricapitana2025
White-spotted PugEupithecia tripunctaria2025
Six-striped RusticXestia sexstrigata2025
Common StrawCochylimorpha straminea2025
Straw UnderwingThalpophila matura2025
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2025
Flounced RusticLuperina testacea2025
Phytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipesPhytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipes2025
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2025
Tree-lichen BeautyCryphia algae2025
Pine Knot-hornDioryctria abietella2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

23,994 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds18 species

winterspring

2026

Magpie · Jackdaw · Greenfinch · Wren · Chaffinch +13

MagpiePica pica
JackdawColoeus monedula
GreenfinchChloris chloris
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
DunnockPrunella modularis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
Coal TitPeriparus ater
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025

🦌

Mammals5 species

springwinter

2026

Brown Hare · Badger · Mole · Wood Mouse · Brown Rat

Brown HareLepus europaeus
BadgerMeles meles
MoleTalpa europaea
Wood MouseApodemus sylvaticus
Brown RatRattus norvegicus2025

🐸

Amphibians3 species

springsummer

2026

Common Frog · Smooth Newt · Common Toad

Common FrogRana temporaria
Smooth NewtLissotriton vulgaris2025
Common ToadBufo bufo2025

🐝

Insects151 species

summer

2026

German Wasp · Forest Cuckoo Bee · Mottled Umber · Chestnut · Limnephilus lunatus +146

German WaspVespula germanica
Forest Cuckoo BeeBombus sylvestris
Mottled UmberErannis defoliaria
ChestnutConistra vaccinii
Limnephilus lunatusLimnephilus lunatus2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025
European Corn-borerOstrinia nubilalis2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025
Small RanunculusHecatera dysodea2025
Nicrophorus investigatorNicrophorus investigator2025
Lesser EarwigLabia minor2025
Black-horned GemMicrochrysa polita2025
HornetVespa crabro2025
Pied ShieldbugTritomegas bicolor
Bright-line Brown-eyeLacanobia oleracea
Double-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciata
Lead-coloured DrabOrthosia populeti
Brindled BeautyLycia hirtaria
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Shoulder StripeEarophila badiata
March MothAlsophila aescularia
PeacockAglais io
Hemlock MothAgonopterix alstromeriana
CommaPolygonia c-album
Dotted BorderAgriopis marginaria
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
AgonopterixAgonopterix
Common PlumeEmmelina monodactyla
Pea-leaf WeevilSitona lineatus
Early ThornSelenia dentaria
Ophion variegatusOphion variegatus
Small QuakerOrthosia cruda
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Dark ChestnutConistra ligula
Twin-spotted QuakerAnorthoa munda
Clouded DrabOrthosia incerta
SatelliteEupsilia transversa
Hebrew CharacterOrthosia gothica
Common QuakerOrthosia cerasi
Oak BeautyBiston strataria
Pale Brindled BeautyPhigalia pilosaria
Light Brown Apple MothEpiphyas postvittana
Early MothTheria primaria
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria
Silver FishLepisma saccharinum
Winter MothOperophtera brumata2025
Yellow-Line QuakerLeptologia macilenta2025
December MothPoecilocampa populi2025
Lead-coloured TortrixAcleris sparsana2025
Chrysoperla carnea groupChrysoperla carnea group2025
Heart & DartAgrotis exclamationis2025
Scarce UmberAgriopis aurantiaria2025
SprawlerAsteroscopus sphinx2025
BrickSunira circellaris2025
Acleris ferrugana/notanaAcleris ferrugana/notana2025
Long-horned Flat-bodyCarcina quercana2025
November Moth agg.Epirrita dilutata agg.2025
Red-Line QuakerLeptologia lota2025
Feathered ThornColotois pennaria2025
Deep-brown DartAporophyla lueneburgensis2025
Box BugGonocerus acuteangulatus2025
Merveille du JourGriposia aprilina2025
Clancy's RusticCaradrina kadenii2025
Common GroundlingTeleiodes vulgella2025
Blair's Shoulder-knotLithophane leautieri2025
Green-brindled CrescentAllophyes oxyacanthae2025
Orange SallowTiliacea citrago2025
Brown-Spot PinionAnchoscelis litura2025
Beaded ChestnutAgrochola lychnidis2025
Brindled GreenDryobotodes eremita2025
Lunar UnderwingAnchoscelis lunosa2025
Black RusticAporophyla nigra2025
Common Marbled StrawAethes smeathmanniana2025
Vetch MothAproaerema anthyllidella2025
Rusty DotUdea ferrugalis2025
Dewick's PlusiaMacdunnoughia confusa2025
VestalRhodometra sacraria2025
Cryptic Ash Bud MothPrays ruficeps2025
Garden MomphaMompha subbistrigella2025
Meadow Hook-wingAncylis badiana2025
Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia spinosella2025
Horse-Chestnut Leaf-minerCameraria ohridella2025
Common Daisy MothDichrorampha acuminatana2025
Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua fimbriata2025
SallowCirrhia icteritia2025
Silver-spotted VeneerEuchromius ocellea2025
Ash Bud MothPrays fraxinella2025
Oak Hook-tipWatsonalla binaria2025
Beet MothScrobipalpa ocellatella2025
NutmegAnarta trifolii2025
Orange SwiftTriodia sylvina2025
Dark Bordered PearlEvergestis limbata2025
Centre-barred SallowAtethmia centrago2025
Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2025
Barred Needle-minerCedestis subfasciella2025
Triple-spotted Nest MothTinea trinotella2025
Bordered BeautyEpione repandaria2025
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2025
Spotted MagpieAnania coronata2025
Goosefoot OwletScythris limbella2025
Pebble Hook-tipDrepana falcataria2025
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2025
Rhomboid TortrixAcleris rhombana2025
Small Square-spotDiarsia rubi2025
Twin-barred Knot-hornHomoeosoma sinuella2025
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2025
Juniper ShieldbugCyphostethus tristriatus2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Stenodema (Brachystira) calcarataStenodema (Brachystira) calcarata2025
Garden Rose TortrixAcleris variegana2025
Micromus variegatusMicromus variegatus2025
Streaked Ridge-backEpermenia falciformis2025
Pale-streaked Grass-mothAgriphila selasella2025
Double-striped Knot-hornCryptoblabes bistriga2025
Ringed China-markParapoynx stratiotata2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Square-spot RusticXestia xanthographa2025
Honeysuckle MothYpsolopha dentella2025
Purple-washed Tip MothArgyresthia semifusca2025
Chevron Grass-mothAgriphila geniculea2025
Small China-markCataclysta lemnata2025
Gold SpotPlusia festucae2025
Buff ErmineSpilosoma lutea2025
Chequered Grass-mothCatoptria falsella2025
Ash PugEupithecia innotata form fraxinata2025
Rosy RusticHydraecia micacea2025
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2025
Yellow-barred BrindleAcasis viretata2025
Pale EggarTrichiura crataegi2025
Dark Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia albistria2025
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus2025
Common Purple & GoldPyrausta purpuralis2025
Canary-shouldered ThornEnnomos alniaria2025
Wax MothGalleria mellonella2025
Netted TortrixAcleris forsskaleana2025
Pale ProminentPterostoma palpina2025
Ash-bark Knot-hornEuzophera pinguis2025
Maple PugEupithecia inturbata2025
Pale Straw PearlUdea lutealis2025
Black-fronted StrawCochylichroa atricapitana2025
White-spotted PugEupithecia tripunctaria2025
Six-striped RusticXestia sexstrigata2025
Common StrawCochylimorpha straminea2025
Straw UnderwingThalpophila matura2025
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2025
Flounced RusticLuperina testacea2025
Phytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipesPhytocoris (Ktenocoris) varipes2025
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2025
Tree-lichen BeautyCryphia algae2025
Pine Knot-hornDioryctria abietella2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Mat Fascione · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Ash Spinney along Earl Shilton Road

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🌱Barwell CommonUrban park4.9 km→🌱Wood Street Community ParkUrban park2.9 km→🌱Radford ParkUrban park4.2 km→⛪All Saints' ChurchReligious grounds1.2 km→🌱The Hall FieldUrban park2.1 km→🌱The Hall FieldUrban park2.1 km→

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