Outwoods Information

Attractions available at the Outwoods include two signed walks, a short 1.3 km walk and a longer 3 km walk, a leaflet which accompanies these walks is available from the Outwoods car park or can be downloaded from the link below. The Outwoods also has a short, easy access walk (400m), which includes a bird feeding station, but please be aware that because of the topography of the woods all the paths include steep sections and uneven surfaces and may not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. There is a picnic area next to the car park and benches throughout the wood. Information boards which include a site map are located at all entrances to the Outwoods.

In managing the Outwoods we aim to protect the site’s valuable habitats, geological features and aesthetic appeal whilst at the same time developing and maintaining first class visitor facilities. Detailed information on all aspects of the management of the Outwoods are contained in the Outwoods Management Plan.

The Outwoods where gifted to the people of Loughborough in 1946 by two local benefactors, Allan Moss and George Harry Bowler, and are managed by the Outwoods Management Committee (see We Welcome Your Views below).

 GREEN FLAG

For the fourth year running we have been awarded the Green Flag, this is a nationally recognised mark of excellence. Again I would like to thank all involved in helping us to keep up this standard, you should all be very proud of your efforts year on year.

It is in this section I would like to make a plea on behalf of all responsible dog owners, dog fouling for anyone who has trod in, or had a child fall in or, as I have witnessed and experienced myself when working in the woods, put your hands in eerh is not acceptable and I will be working alongside street management to enforce a fixed penalty to anyone caught allowing their dog to foul.  I having spoken to a number of dog owners who felt let down by people who do not act responsibly when their dog fouls. Please help us to overcome this problem and be a responsible dog owner. Some dog owners have requested more dog bins in certain areas and I will personally endeavour to make this possible.

Opening Times

The Outwoods is open all year round but closes at around dusk each day. The car park and toilets are open from approximately 7am until the following closing times:

• January 4.00pm
• February 5.00pm
• March 6.00pm
• April 8.00pm
• May 8.30pm
• June/July/August 9.00 pm
• September 7.30pm
• October 6.30pm
• November/December 4.00 pm

Address

Woodhouse Lane
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 3YG

If you are bringing an organised party to the Outwoods please contact Charnwood Borough Council at least 10 days in advance so that we can ensure that your visit is safe and enjoyable. Please contact Mark Graham on 01509 634976 for more information.

If you would like more information on the Outwoods Management Plan please contact Mr Mark Graham on 01509 634976

• Wildlife

Outwoods Management Plan

If you would like to view our Outwoods Management Plan for 2007/8 please click below

• Outwoods Management Plan (PDF Document, 3.74 Mb)
  

• We would welcome your views

Please download the following survey and tell us what you think of your Outwoods Visit:

Outwoods Visitor Survey (Word Document, 0.1 Mb) -please complete and either email to parks@charnwood.gov.uk or send to the Green Spaces Department, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfields Road, Loughborough, Leics, LE11 2TT

Location - Getting to the Outwoods

By Car The Outwoods car park is off Woodhouse Lane which runs between Nanpantan Road and Woodhouse Eaves, the car park is free. There is no public transport to the Outwoods though there is a bus service to Woodhouse Eaves (see below) .

On Foot There is a footpath from Moat Road in Loughborough to the Outwoods, allow about 30 minutes for the walk (Outwoods Map Ref SK514159).

By Public Transport Take the 54 from Baxter Gate in Loughborough or St Margrets Bus Station in Leicester. Get off the bus in Woodhouse Eaves at the stop by the Old Bulls Head. Opposite the Old Bulls Head is Brook Road which becomes a footpath leading to the Outwoods, allow about 20 minutes to walk to the Outwoods from the Old Bulls Head.

• What's going on in the Outwoods
• Walking in the Outwoods (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)
• Outwoods maps (JPEG Image 423.57 Kb)
• Outwoods Volunteers (JPEG Image 10.13 Kb)

• Outwoods leaflet (PDF Document, 0.66 Mb)
• Charnwood Borough Council's guided walks programme often features walks to the Outwoods at all times of the year.  For more information on these walks, please contact Nita Pearson on 01509 634594 or have a look at our current guided walks brochure.

Charnwood Conservation Volunteers

Charnwood Conservation Volunteers work on important wildlife sites throughout the Borough. Conservation tasks take place every other Sunday and we are always on the look out for new volunteers. So if you would like to learn new skills, make new friends, and get some out of doors exercise why not join us?

For more information contact Tim Adkin on 01509 634975
or click the link below

1. Charnwood Conservation Volunteers

Stop press

After the task on 7th August   we will provide the BBQ for a summer celebration of the years  brilliant achievements .We will provide the basic food essentials but if you would like to bring your favourite food and drinks to add to the festivites pelase feel free to do so.......there is even a seperate vegetarian  grill!

Charcoal in the Outwoods

An ancient forestry craft is being revived at a local woodland to help fuel the growing demand for sustainable produced charcoal.
Charcoal for industrial and medical use has been produced from Britain’s broad-leaved forests for thousands of years – but demand fell dramatically during the 20th century and the practise all but died out.

But in recent years, the growing popularity of barbeques and chimneas has fuelled a renewed demand for charcoal, which is being met largely through imports from abroad.

There are concerns however that much of this imported charcoal is produced using environmentally unsustainable methods – so charcoal is being created at the Outwoods.

Mark Graham, Charnwood Borough Council’s Wildlife Officer, said: “Often imported charcoal is manufactured using timber taken from fragile ecosystems, like the South American rain forests and mangrove swamps in south-east Asia, where it is being harvested but not replanted.
“The timber we’re using to produce charcoal at the Outwoods results from the sustainable management of the woodland and is a by-product of its management.

“Non-native, invasive trees species like sycamore are being removed and replaced with more wildlife friendly species like oak and rowan. It is these non-native species that we’re using to produce charcoal”.

The charcoal will be produced on site using portable kilns provided by local arboriculture and woodland management company D M Chainsaws.
Stuart Freeman, from D M Chainsaws, said: “Charcoal is produced when wood is heated in conditions w

here the supply oxygen can be controlled. This is done in large circular steel kilns 8 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height.

“The process takes 24 hours to produce about a tonne of charcoal from 5 tonnes of timber. The charcoal produced at the Outwoods isn’t just better for the planet though, it cooks a better banger too.

“Charcoal produced from hardwood is lighter in weight than charcoal made from tropical hardwood, and is easier to light and faster to reach cooking temperature giving better results.”

Cllr David Snartt, chairperson of the Outwoods Committee, said: “This year we received the Green Flag for the management of the Outwoods and this is one of the projects that helped us achieve our aim - as well as helping the environment.

“I’m delighted the Outwoods Committee took the decision to produce charcoal locally. It’s a great way of using this timber.”

Outwoods charcoal is available from D M Chainsaws - 01509 230164

Outwoods Mobility Scooters

Two Tramper mobility scooters are available for use at the Outwoods by people who are registered as disabled. These scooters are similar to conventional mobility scooters, but are especially designed for use over rugged terrain. The mobility scooters are available free of charge and may be used at any time that the wood is open. However as the scheme is run by volunteers access to the scooters may be limited by volunteer availability.

 One of the scooters has a conventional handle bar type steering system. The second Tramper, which was kindly donated by the Helen Jean Cope Trust, is joystick controlled and is therefore suitable for people who have limited upper and lower body mobility.

Please contact Stuart on 07713 679072   9-5 Monday - Friday for further information.