← Back🌲 Conifer forest

Top Ash Plantation

2 ha

📷 Jonathan Thacker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeForagingBirds

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

52.86825, -0.73327

Open directionsv

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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
🌿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
🌿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

9 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Hogweed, Common Nettle, Dandelion +10 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +33 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Pheasant, Woodpigeon, Blackbird +33 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Setaceous Hebrew Character, Large Yellow Underwing, Snout +404 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Setaceous Hebrew Character, Large Yellow Underwing, Snout +404 more · last seen 2024

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Cow Parsley, Hogweed, Common Nettle +61 more · last seen 2024; Plants — Cow Parsley, Hogweed, Common Nettle +61 more · last seen 2024

Free

Dog walks

Strong match

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

2 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths

Jubilee Way (Leicestershire)Walking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Viking Way (Barnetby to Whitwell)Walking route

Named routeRegional walking route

🚴

Cycling

42 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 64Cycling route

Named routeRef 64National Cycle Network

Route 15Cycling route

Named routeRef 15National Cycle Network

National Byway (Lincolnshire)Cycling route

The National Byway in Lincolnshire

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route

Lincolnshire Cycle TrailCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Main RouteCycling route1.2 km

Named routeRef 64Length 1.2 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route166 m

Named routeRef 64Length 166 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

3,321 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

3,321 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds10 species

springsummer

2025

Red Kite · Buzzard · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Red-legged Partridge +5

Red KiteMilvus milvus
BuzzardButeo buteo
BlackbirdTurdus merula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
JackdawColoeus monedula2023

🦌

Mammals1 species

autumn

2023

Muntjac

MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi

🐟

Fish1 species

summer

2024

Roach

RoachRutilus rutilus

🐝

Insects157 species

summer

2024

Brimstone · Small White · Red Admiral · Large White · Peacock +152

BrimstoneGonepteryx rhamni
Small WhitePieris rapae
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta
Large WhitePieris brassicae
PeacockAglais io
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae
Large SkipperOchlodes sylvanus2023
Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus2023
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2023
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2023
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2023
Bright BellEucosma hohenwartiana2022
Buff ArchesHabrosyne pyritoides2022
Red-barred TortrixDitula angustiorana2022
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2022
Straw Grass-veneerAgriphila straminella2022
Hoary TortrixEucosma cana2022
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2022
Chocolate-tipClostera curtula2022
Barred StrawGandaritis pyraliata2022
Large GreyScoparia subfusca2022
CoronetCraniophora ligustri2022
RivuletPerizoma affinitata2022
Common Grass-veneerAgriphila tristella2022
Scalloped OakCrocallis elinguaria2022
CampionSideridis rivularis2022
PhoenixEulithis prunata2022
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2022
Golden-brown TubicCrassa unitella2022
Shaded Broad-barScotopteryx chenopodiata2022
Small Blood-veinScopula imitaria2022
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2022
White Satin MothLeucoma salicis2022
Copper-fringed DrabSwammerdamia pyrella2022
Yarrow PlumeGillmeria pallidactyla2022
Mother of PearlPatania ruralis2022
Large Fruit-tree TortrixArchips podana2022
V-pugChloroclystis v-ata2022
Bud MothSpilonota ocellana2022
Pearl Grass-mothCatoptria pinella2022
Common GreyScoparia ambigualis2022
Dark ArchesApamea monoglypha2022
Pebble Hook-tipDrepana falcataria2022
Common FootmanEilema lurideola2022
Bird-cherry ErmineYponomeuta evonymella2022
Early ThornSelenia dentaria2022
Ear MothAmphipoea oculea2022
Small GreyEudonia mercurella2022
Lesser Tawny CrescentBatia lunaris2022
Wakely's DowdBlastobasis lacticolella2022
DrinkerEuthrix potatoria2022
Common WainscotMythimna pallens2022
Common LutestringOchropacha duplaris2022
Timothy TortrixZelotherses paleana2022
Twin-barred Knot-hornHomoeosoma sinuella2022
Bright StrawAgapeta zoegana2022
Thistle ErmineMyelois circumvoluta2022
Ling PugEupithecia absinthiata2022
Dark UmberPhilereme transversata britannica2022
Tawny Sycamore PiercerPammene aurita2022
Ruddy CarpetCatarhoe rubidata2022
Dark Seedhead MothApodia bifractella2022
Dark Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia albistria2022
Common Zebra MothHelcystogramma rufescens2022
Light ArchesApamea lithoxylaea2022
Oak Hook-tipWatsonalla binaria2022
TissueTriphosa dubitata2022
Cyclamen TortrixClepsis spectrana2022
Small Dotted BuffPhotedes minima2022
Short-cloaked MothNola cucullatella2022
Marbled White SpotProtodeltote pygarga2022
Roseate MarbleCelypha rosaceana2022
SpectacleAbrostola tripartita2022
Slender Rufous TortrixLathronympha strigana2022
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2022
Hazel Bud MothParachronistis albiceps2022
UncertainHoplodrina octogenaria2022
Plum TortrixHedya pruniana2022
SnoutHypena proboscidalis2022
Buff FootmanEilema depressa2022
Fan-footHerminia tarsipennalis2022
July HighflyerHydriomena furcata2022
Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua fimbriata2022
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2022
Rosy TabbyEndotricha flammealis2022
Purple-shaded BrownAgonopterix liturosa2022
Barred YellowCidaria fulvata2022
Peach BlossomThyatira batis2022
Fenland PearlAnania perlucidalis2022
Water VeneerAcentria ephemerella2022
Hedge Hook-wingAncylis achatana2022
Lesser Yellow UnderwingNoctua comes2022
White Plume MothPterophorus pentadactyla2022
Barred Hook-tipWatsonalla cultraria2022
Coxcomb ProminentPtilodon capucina2022
Light Brown Apple MothEpiphyas postvittana2022
Turnip MothAgrotis segetum2022
Variegated Golden TortrixArchips xylosteana2022
Beautiful Hook-tipLaspeyria flexula2022
Single-dotted WaveIdaea dimidiata2022
Pale Straw PearlUdea lutealis2022
DelicateMythimna vitellina2022
Brown-line Bright-eyeMythimna conigera2022
Dingy FootmanEilema griseola2022
Iron ProminentNotodonta dromedarius2022
Ash-bark Knot-hornEuzophera pinguis2022
Honeysuckle GreyAthrips mouffetella2022
Acorn PiercerPammene fasciana2022
Least Yellow UnderwingNoctua interjecta caliginosa2022
Least CarpetIdaea rusticata2022
Peppered MothBiston betularia2022
Yellow-tailEuproctis similis2022
Small MagpieAnania hortulata2022
Double-striped TabbyHypsopygia glaucinalis2022
ClayMythimna ferrago2022
White-headed DrabParaswammerdamia albicapitella2022
Satin BeautyDeileptenia ribeata2022
Scarce FootmanEilema complana2022
Large Twin-spot CarpetXanthorhoe quadrifasiata2022
Riband WaveIdaea aversata2022
White-faced TortrixPandemis cinnamomeana2022
Campion GroundlingCaryocolum viscariella2022
FlameAxylia putris2022
Chequered Grass-mothCatoptria falsella2022
Dusky PearlUdea prunalis2022
Clouded BorderLomaspilis marginata2022
Purple BarCosmorhoe ocellata2022
Scalloped Hook-tipFalcaria lacertinaria2022
Dark Moss-mothBryotropha affinis2022
Shuttle-shaped DartAgrotis puta2022
Small Angle ShadesEuplexia lucipara2022
Grey Knot-hornAcrobasis advenella2022
Smoky WainscotMythimna impura2022
VapourerOrgyia antiqua2022
Hawthorn PiercerGrapholita janthinana2022
Double-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciata2022
Dusky SallowEremobia ochroleuca2022
Common GroundlingTeleiodes vulgella2022
Blood-veinTimandra comae2022
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2022
Hollyhock Seed MothPexicopia malvella2022
Fen WainscotArenostola phragmitidis2022
Birch MarbleApotomis betuletana2022
Yellow-spotted TortrixPseudargyrotoza conwagana2022
Dark-fringed Flat-bodyAgonopterix nervosa2022
Purple ThornSelenia tetralunaria2022
Small China-markCataclysta lemnata2022
Common Cloaked TortrixGypsonoma dealbana2022
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2022
Burdock StrawAethes rubigana2022
White-foot MothEpiblema foenella2022
Hawthorn Tip MothArgyresthia bonnetella2022
Golden-rod PugEupithecia virgaureata2022
Large EmeraldGeometra papilionaria2022
RusticHoplodrina blanda2022
Round-winged MuslinThumatha senex2022

🌿

Plants24 species

summer

2024

Herb-Robert · Dog's Mercury · Broad-leaved Dock · Prickly Sow-thistle · False Oat-grass +19

Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2023
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2023
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2023
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2023
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2023
White CloverTrifolium repens2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne2023
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica2023
Common CouchElymus repens2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2023
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2023
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera2023
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2023
Greater PlantainPlantago major2023
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

3,321 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds10 species

springsummer

2025

Red Kite · Buzzard · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Red-legged Partridge +5

Red KiteMilvus milvus
BuzzardButeo buteo
BlackbirdTurdus merula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
JackdawColoeus monedula2023

🦌

Mammals1 species

autumn

2023

Muntjac

MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi

🐟

Fish1 species

summer

2024

Roach

RoachRutilus rutilus

🐝

Insects157 species

summer

2024

Brimstone · Small White · Red Admiral · Large White · Peacock +152

BrimstoneGonepteryx rhamni
Small WhitePieris rapae
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta
Large WhitePieris brassicae
PeacockAglais io
GatekeeperPyronia tithonus
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae
Large SkipperOchlodes sylvanus2023
Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus2023
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2023
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2023
Common BluePolyommatus icarus2023
Bright BellEucosma hohenwartiana2022
Buff ArchesHabrosyne pyritoides2022
Red-barred TortrixDitula angustiorana2022
Magpie MothAbraxas grossulariata2022
Straw Grass-veneerAgriphila straminella2022
Hoary TortrixEucosma cana2022
Brimstone MothOpisthograptis luteolata2022
Chocolate-tipClostera curtula2022
Barred StrawGandaritis pyraliata2022
Large GreyScoparia subfusca2022
CoronetCraniophora ligustri2022
RivuletPerizoma affinitata2022
Common Grass-veneerAgriphila tristella2022
Scalloped OakCrocallis elinguaria2022
CampionSideridis rivularis2022
PhoenixEulithis prunata2022
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata2022
Golden-brown TubicCrassa unitella2022
Shaded Broad-barScotopteryx chenopodiata2022
Small Blood-veinScopula imitaria2022
HeraldScoliopteryx libatrix2022
White Satin MothLeucoma salicis2022
Copper-fringed DrabSwammerdamia pyrella2022
Yarrow PlumeGillmeria pallidactyla2022
Mother of PearlPatania ruralis2022
Large Fruit-tree TortrixArchips podana2022
V-pugChloroclystis v-ata2022
Bud MothSpilonota ocellana2022
Pearl Grass-mothCatoptria pinella2022
Common GreyScoparia ambigualis2022
Dark ArchesApamea monoglypha2022
Pebble Hook-tipDrepana falcataria2022
Common FootmanEilema lurideola2022
Bird-cherry ErmineYponomeuta evonymella2022
Early ThornSelenia dentaria2022
Ear MothAmphipoea oculea2022
Small GreyEudonia mercurella2022
Lesser Tawny CrescentBatia lunaris2022
Wakely's DowdBlastobasis lacticolella2022
DrinkerEuthrix potatoria2022
Common WainscotMythimna pallens2022
Common LutestringOchropacha duplaris2022
Timothy TortrixZelotherses paleana2022
Twin-barred Knot-hornHomoeosoma sinuella2022
Bright StrawAgapeta zoegana2022
Thistle ErmineMyelois circumvoluta2022
Ling PugEupithecia absinthiata2022
Dark UmberPhilereme transversata britannica2022
Tawny Sycamore PiercerPammene aurita2022
Ruddy CarpetCatarhoe rubidata2022
Dark Seedhead MothApodia bifractella2022
Dark Blackthorn Tip MothArgyresthia albistria2022
Common Zebra MothHelcystogramma rufescens2022
Light ArchesApamea lithoxylaea2022
Oak Hook-tipWatsonalla binaria2022
TissueTriphosa dubitata2022
Cyclamen TortrixClepsis spectrana2022
Small Dotted BuffPhotedes minima2022
Short-cloaked MothNola cucullatella2022
Marbled White SpotProtodeltote pygarga2022
Roseate MarbleCelypha rosaceana2022
SpectacleAbrostola tripartita2022
Slender Rufous TortrixLathronympha strigana2022
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua janthe2022
Hazel Bud MothParachronistis albiceps2022
UncertainHoplodrina octogenaria2022
Plum TortrixHedya pruniana2022
SnoutHypena proboscidalis2022
Buff FootmanEilema depressa2022
Fan-footHerminia tarsipennalis2022
July HighflyerHydriomena furcata2022
Broad-bordered Yellow UnderwingNoctua fimbriata2022
Latticed HeathChiasmia clathrata2022
Rosy TabbyEndotricha flammealis2022
Purple-shaded BrownAgonopterix liturosa2022
Barred YellowCidaria fulvata2022
Peach BlossomThyatira batis2022
Fenland PearlAnania perlucidalis2022
Water VeneerAcentria ephemerella2022
Hedge Hook-wingAncylis achatana2022
Lesser Yellow UnderwingNoctua comes2022
White Plume MothPterophorus pentadactyla2022
Barred Hook-tipWatsonalla cultraria2022
Coxcomb ProminentPtilodon capucina2022
Light Brown Apple MothEpiphyas postvittana2022
Turnip MothAgrotis segetum2022
Variegated Golden TortrixArchips xylosteana2022
Beautiful Hook-tipLaspeyria flexula2022
Single-dotted WaveIdaea dimidiata2022
Pale Straw PearlUdea lutealis2022
DelicateMythimna vitellina2022
Brown-line Bright-eyeMythimna conigera2022
Dingy FootmanEilema griseola2022
Iron ProminentNotodonta dromedarius2022
Ash-bark Knot-hornEuzophera pinguis2022
Honeysuckle GreyAthrips mouffetella2022
Acorn PiercerPammene fasciana2022
Least Yellow UnderwingNoctua interjecta caliginosa2022
Least CarpetIdaea rusticata2022
Peppered MothBiston betularia2022
Yellow-tailEuproctis similis2022
Small MagpieAnania hortulata2022
Double-striped TabbyHypsopygia glaucinalis2022
ClayMythimna ferrago2022
White-headed DrabParaswammerdamia albicapitella2022
Satin BeautyDeileptenia ribeata2022
Scarce FootmanEilema complana2022
Large Twin-spot CarpetXanthorhoe quadrifasiata2022
Riband WaveIdaea aversata2022
White-faced TortrixPandemis cinnamomeana2022
Campion GroundlingCaryocolum viscariella2022
FlameAxylia putris2022
Chequered Grass-mothCatoptria falsella2022
Dusky PearlUdea prunalis2022
Clouded BorderLomaspilis marginata2022
Purple BarCosmorhoe ocellata2022
Scalloped Hook-tipFalcaria lacertinaria2022
Dark Moss-mothBryotropha affinis2022
Shuttle-shaped DartAgrotis puta2022
Small Angle ShadesEuplexia lucipara2022
Grey Knot-hornAcrobasis advenella2022
Smoky WainscotMythimna impura2022
VapourerOrgyia antiqua2022
Hawthorn PiercerGrapholita janthinana2022
Double-striped PugGymnoscelis rufifasciata2022
Dusky SallowEremobia ochroleuca2022
Common GroundlingTeleiodes vulgella2022
Blood-veinTimandra comae2022
Apple Leaf MinerLyonetia clerkella2022
Hollyhock Seed MothPexicopia malvella2022
Fen WainscotArenostola phragmitidis2022
Birch MarbleApotomis betuletana2022
Yellow-spotted TortrixPseudargyrotoza conwagana2022
Dark-fringed Flat-bodyAgonopterix nervosa2022
Purple ThornSelenia tetralunaria2022
Small China-markCataclysta lemnata2022
Common Cloaked TortrixGypsonoma dealbana2022
Flame ShoulderOchropleura plecta2022
Burdock StrawAethes rubigana2022
White-foot MothEpiblema foenella2022
Hawthorn Tip MothArgyresthia bonnetella2022
Golden-rod PugEupithecia virgaureata2022
Large EmeraldGeometra papilionaria2022
RusticHoplodrina blanda2022
Round-winged MuslinThumatha senex2022

🌿

Plants24 species

summer

2024

Herb-Robert · Dog's Mercury · Broad-leaved Dock · Prickly Sow-thistle · False Oat-grass +19

Herb-RobertGeranium robertianum
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2023
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2023
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2023
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2023
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2023
White CloverTrifolium repens2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne2023
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica2023
Common CouchElymus repens2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2023
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2023
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera2023
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2023
Greater PlantainPlantago major2023
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Jonathan Thacker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Drift alongside Top Ash Plantation

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Belvoir CastleHistoric site3.7 km→✦HARLAXTON MANORHistoric site4.3 km→✦Denton village crossHistoric site2.1 km→✦Harlaxton village crossHistoric site3.6 km→✦Croxton Abbey and associated remainsHistoric site4.3 km→⛪St John the Baptist's ChurchReligious grounds2.3 km→

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