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Motte and bailey castle and manorial complex at Groby

1 ha

WildlifeBirdsFungi

Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

52.66380, -1.22675

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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

Parking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Magpie +56 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blue Tit, Magpie +56 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Hoof Fungus, Razor Strop Fungus, Rosy Bonnet +85 more · last seen 2026; Fungi — Hoof Fungus, Razor Strop Fungus, Rosy Bonnet +85 more · last seen 2026

Varies

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Comma, Common Carder Bee, Small Copper +150 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Comma, Common Carder Bee, Small Copper +150 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Lords-and-Ladies, Lesser Celandine, Hawthorn +158 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Lords-and-Ladies, Lesser Celandine, Hawthorn +158 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Hawthorn, Bramble, Common Nettle +36 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

2 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths

Leicestershire RoundWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

National Forest WayWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

46 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 63Cycling route

Named routeRef 63National Cycle Network

Leicester 'Route 2'Cycling route

Named routeRef 2Local cycle route

West End WayCycling route

Named routeRef West End WayLocal cycle route

Inner RingwayCycling route

Named routeRef Inner RingwayLocal cycle route

Leicester 'Route 4'Cycling route

Named routeRef 4Local cycle route

Leicester 'Route 3'Cycling route

Named routeRef 3Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

54,745 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

54,745 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds30 species

summerwinter

2026

Woodpigeon · House Sparrow · Blackbird · Blue Tit · Mute Swan +25

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
MagpiePica pica2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Great TitParus major2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
Marsh TitPoecile palustris2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025

🦌

Mammals2 species

summerautumn

2025

Mole · Red Fox

MoleTalpa europaea
Red FoxVulpes vulpes

🐝

Insects55 species

summer

2026

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper · Black Carrion Beetle · Rhamphus oxyacanthae · Common Bluebottle · Sarcophaga +50

Lesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatus2025
Black Carrion BeetlePhosphuga atrata
Rhamphus oxyacanthaeRhamphus oxyacanthae2025
Common BluebottleCalliphora vicina2025
SarcophagaSarcophaga2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Long-winged Cone-headConocephalus fuscus2025
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2025
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2025
Eriothrix rufomaculataEriothrix rufomaculata2025
Holly Leaf Gall FlyPhytomyza ilicis
Helina evectaHelina evecta2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata2025
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2025
Ferdinandea cupreaFerdinandea cuprea2025
Golden DotStigmella aurella2025
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2025
Common WainscotMythimna pallens2025
Sallow KittenFurcula furcula2025
Common Rustic agg.Mesapamea secalis agg.2025
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2025
Dun-barCosmia trapezina2025
Tawny-barred AngleMacaria liturata2025
Riband WaveIdaea aversata2025
Mother of PearlPatania ruralis2025
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2025
Setaceous Hebrew CharacterXestia c-nigrum2025
Lime-speck PugEupithecia centaureata2025
Copper Underwing agg.Amphipyra pyramidea agg.2025
Shuttle-shaped DartAgrotis puta2025
Chinese CharacterCilix glaucata2025
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba2025
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2025
Black ArchesLymantria monacha2025
Iron ProminentNotodonta dromedarius2025
Common CarpetEpirrhoe alternata2025
Red UnderwingCatocala nupta2025
Straw DotRivula sericealis2025
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalis2025
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2025
Silk-button CauserNeuroterus numismalis f. agamic2025
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2025
Artichoke Gall CauserAndricus foecundatrix f. agamic2025
Black ClockPterostichus madidus2025
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata2025
Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2025
Marble Gall CauserAndricus kollari f. agamic2025
SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria2025
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2025
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2025
Phytomyza lappaePhytomyza lappae2025
Large WhitePieris brassicae2025
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2025

🍄

Fungi42 species

winterautumn

2026

Rosy Bonnet · Oak Moss · Razor Strop Fungus · Clouded Funnel · Scarlet Elfcup +37

Rosy BonnetMycena rosea2025
Oak MossEvernia prunastri
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Clouded FunnelClitocybe nebularis2025
Scarlet ElfcupSarcoscypha austriaca
Catillaria atomarioidesCatillaria atomarioides
Punctelia subrudecta s. lat.Punctelia subrudecta s. lat.
Physcia caesiaPhyscia caesia
Physcia adscendensPhyscia adscendens
Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.
Leafy BrainPhaeotremella foliacea
Erythricium aurantiacumErythricium aurantiacum
Crystal BrainExidia nucleata
Netted CrustByssomerulius corium
Yellow BrainTremella mesenterica
Bitter OysterlingPanellus stipticus
Melanelixia subauriferaMelanelixia subaurifera
Candelaria concolorCandelaria concolor
Chewing Gum LichenProtoparmeliopsis muralis
Hypotrachyna revoluta s. lat.Hypotrachyna revoluta s. lat.
Netted Shield LichenParmelia sulcata
Bleeding Oak CrustStereum gausapatum
Purple JellydiscAscocoryne sarcoides
Hoof FungusFomes fomentarius
Hairy Curtain CrustStereum hirsutum
Coesyn MelfedFlammulina velutipes2025
Flavoparmelia caperataFlavoparmelia caperata2025
Twig ParachuteMarasmiellus ramealis2025
Stinky KnightTricholoma sulphureum2025
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon2025
False ChanterelleHygrophoropsis aurantiaca2025
Dark Honey FungusArmillaria ostoyae2025
Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus2025
Butter CapRhodocollybia butyracea2025
Yellow StagshornCalocera viscosa2025
Yellow FieldcapBolbitius titubans2025
Hare'sfoot InkcapCoprinopsis lagopus2025
Amanita'r GwybedAmanita muscaria2025
Stubble RosegillVolvopluteus gloiocephalus2025
Ambarelo'r BwganMacrolepiota procera2025
Hen Of The WoodsGrifola frondosa2025
Chicken Of The WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus2025

🌿

Plants28 species

wintersummer

2026

Dog's Mercury · Common Tamarisk-moss · Lateral Cryphaea · Common Feather-moss · Silver-moss +23

Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Silver-mossBryum argenteum
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
NigerGuizotia abyssinica2025
Water-pepperPersicaria hydropiper2025
Hedge WoundwortStachys sylvatica2025
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria2025
Adria BellflowerCampanula portenschlagiana2025
Common FleabanePulicaria dysenterica2025
Tufted VetchVicia cracca2025
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2025
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2025
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2025
Amphibious BistortPersicaria amphibia2025
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2025
Field ScabiousKnautia arvensis2025
Small-leaved LimeTilia cordata2025
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica2025
TansyTanacetum vulgare2025
Rough HawkbitLeontodon hispidus2025
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

54,745 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds30 species

summerwinter

2026

Woodpigeon · House Sparrow · Blackbird · Blue Tit · Mute Swan +25

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
Mute SwanCygnus olor2025
MagpiePica pica2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Great TitParus major2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
RobinErithacus rubecula2025
Marsh TitPoecile palustris2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025

🦌

Mammals2 species

summerautumn

2025

Mole · Red Fox

MoleTalpa europaea
Red FoxVulpes vulpes

🐝

Insects55 species

summer

2026

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper · Black Carrion Beetle · Rhamphus oxyacanthae · Common Bluebottle · Sarcophaga +50

Lesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatus2025
Black Carrion BeetlePhosphuga atrata
Rhamphus oxyacanthaeRhamphus oxyacanthae2025
Common BluebottleCalliphora vicina2025
SarcophagaSarcophaga2025
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Long-winged Cone-headConocephalus fuscus2025
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2025
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus2025
Eriothrix rufomaculataEriothrix rufomaculata2025
Holly Leaf Gall FlyPhytomyza ilicis
Helina evectaHelina evecta2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata2025
Small CopperLycaena phlaeas2025
Ferdinandea cupreaFerdinandea cuprea2025
Golden DotStigmella aurella2025
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2025
Common WainscotMythimna pallens2025
Sallow KittenFurcula furcula2025
Common Rustic agg.Mesapamea secalis agg.2025
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2025
Dun-barCosmia trapezina2025
Tawny-barred AngleMacaria liturata2025
Riband WaveIdaea aversata2025
Mother of PearlPatania ruralis2025
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2025
Setaceous Hebrew CharacterXestia c-nigrum2025
Lime-speck PugEupithecia centaureata2025
Copper Underwing agg.Amphipyra pyramidea agg.2025
Shuttle-shaped DartAgrotis puta2025
Chinese CharacterCilix glaucata2025
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronuba2025
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2025
Black ArchesLymantria monacha2025
Iron ProminentNotodonta dromedarius2025
Common CarpetEpirrhoe alternata2025
Red UnderwingCatocala nupta2025
Straw DotRivula sericealis2025
Box Tree MothCydalima perspectalis2025
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2025
Silk-button CauserNeuroterus numismalis f. agamic2025
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2025
Artichoke Gall CauserAndricus foecundatrix f. agamic2025
Black ClockPterostichus madidus2025
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata2025
Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2025
Marble Gall CauserAndricus kollari f. agamic2025
SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria2025
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2025
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata2025
Phytomyza lappaePhytomyza lappae2025
Large WhitePieris brassicae2025
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata2025

🍄

Fungi42 species

winterautumn

2026

Rosy Bonnet · Oak Moss · Razor Strop Fungus · Clouded Funnel · Scarlet Elfcup +37

Rosy BonnetMycena rosea2025
Oak MossEvernia prunastri
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Clouded FunnelClitocybe nebularis2025
Scarlet ElfcupSarcoscypha austriaca
Catillaria atomarioidesCatillaria atomarioides
Punctelia subrudecta s. lat.Punctelia subrudecta s. lat.
Physcia caesiaPhyscia caesia
Physcia adscendensPhyscia adscendens
Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.
Leafy BrainPhaeotremella foliacea
Erythricium aurantiacumErythricium aurantiacum
Crystal BrainExidia nucleata
Netted CrustByssomerulius corium
Yellow BrainTremella mesenterica
Bitter OysterlingPanellus stipticus
Melanelixia subauriferaMelanelixia subaurifera
Candelaria concolorCandelaria concolor
Chewing Gum LichenProtoparmeliopsis muralis
Hypotrachyna revoluta s. lat.Hypotrachyna revoluta s. lat.
Netted Shield LichenParmelia sulcata
Bleeding Oak CrustStereum gausapatum
Purple JellydiscAscocoryne sarcoides
Hoof FungusFomes fomentarius
Hairy Curtain CrustStereum hirsutum
Coesyn MelfedFlammulina velutipes2025
Flavoparmelia caperataFlavoparmelia caperata2025
Twig ParachuteMarasmiellus ramealis2025
Stinky KnightTricholoma sulphureum2025
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon2025
False ChanterelleHygrophoropsis aurantiaca2025
Dark Honey FungusArmillaria ostoyae2025
Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus2025
Butter CapRhodocollybia butyracea2025
Yellow StagshornCalocera viscosa2025
Yellow FieldcapBolbitius titubans2025
Hare'sfoot InkcapCoprinopsis lagopus2025
Amanita'r GwybedAmanita muscaria2025
Stubble RosegillVolvopluteus gloiocephalus2025
Ambarelo'r BwganMacrolepiota procera2025
Hen Of The WoodsGrifola frondosa2025
Chicken Of The WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus2025

🌿

Plants28 species

wintersummer

2026

Dog's Mercury · Common Tamarisk-moss · Lateral Cryphaea · Common Feather-moss · Silver-moss +23

Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Silver-mossBryum argenteum
Dilated ScalewortFrullania dilatata
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
NigerGuizotia abyssinica2025
Water-pepperPersicaria hydropiper2025
Hedge WoundwortStachys sylvatica2025
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria2025
Adria BellflowerCampanula portenschlagiana2025
Common FleabanePulicaria dysenterica2025
Tufted VetchVicia cracca2025
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2025
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2025
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria2025
Amphibious BistortPersicaria amphibia2025
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2025
Field ScabiousKnautia arvensis2025
Small-leaved LimeTilia cordata2025
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica2025
TansyTanacetum vulgare2025
Rough HawkbitLeontodon hispidus2025
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Ashley Dace · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Groby Castle

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🌱Western ParkUrban park4.4 km→🌱Western ParkUrban park4.4 km→🌱Castle Hill Country ParkUrban park4 km→🌱Ferndale ParkUrban park1.9 km→🌱Ellis ParkUrban park2.4 km→🌱Lower GreenUrban park3 km→

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