Roman Road, near Sharnford, Leicestershire

Fosse Meadows Country Park

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.1

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandFarmlandVillageFamiliesYoung childrenWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.1

A 140-acre patchwork of woodland, meadows and a wildlife lake, beside the route of the old Fosse Way.

Fosse Meadows is more than a pleasant park walk: its mix of woodland, flower-rich meadows and a wildlife lake gives you several habitats to explore in one visit. The bird hide, orienteering course and links to nearby villages add useful reasons to linger, though it is a managed country park rather than a remote wild place.

Peaceful · Family-buzz

Find your way

Open map

Roman Road, near Sharnford, Leicestershire

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Choose a short nature walk to the wildlife lake and bird hide, or take more time to explore the mix of woodland and meadow paths. For a longer outing, use the park as the starting point for the published heritage walking trail towards High Cross, Wigston Parva and Sharnford.

Things to do

Watch from the bird hide

Use the hide beside the wildlife lake to look for birds. The official visitor guide names sparrowhawks, whitethroats and stonechats among species found at the site.

Allow 20–40 minutes; estimate

Walk through woodland and meadow

Explore the park’s network of paths across woodland and open meadows. Some paths are hard-standing; others are natural.

1–2 hours; estimate

Look for summer meadow flowers

The visitor guide reports spotted orchids, oxeye daisies, vetch and knapweed in the summer meadows. Flowering varies from year to year.

Try the permanent orienteering course

The park has a permanent orienteering course for visitors who want a more purposeful way to explore.

Follow the heritage walking trail

Heritage Walking Trail Route 1 links Fosse Meadows with High Cross, Wigston Parva and Sharnford. Consult the official leaflet for the route before setting out.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour; estimate

Quick escape: lake and bird hide

01
Start from the main car park.
02
Follow the park paths towards the wildlife lake and bird hide.
03
Pause to watch for birds, then return by a suitable path.

Half day · Half day; estimate

Make a half day of it: meadows, woodland and a village link

01
Explore a selection of the park’s woodland and meadow paths.
02
Visit the bird hide beside the wildlife lake.
03
If you want to extend the walk, use the public footpath links towards a nearby village.
04
Check ahead for a café van or village pub; availability and opening times are not confirmed.

Full Wildland day · Full day; route duration and distance not established

The longer day: follow the heritage trail

01
Begin at Fosse Meadows and explore the park’s paths and wildlife lake.
02
Follow Heritage Walking Trail Route 1 towards High Cross, Wigston Parva and Sharnford, using the official leaflet for route details.
03
Choose a village stop only after checking current food options and opening times.
04
Return by the route described in the leaflet; do not assume it forms a short park circuit.

Verified history

The old Fosse Way Roman road runs beside the park’s eastern boundary. Blaby District Council describes nearby High Cross as the centre point of old Roman England. The supplied sources do not establish that the road ran through the park itself.

Hidden details

A stream on the park’s edge — A small stream runs along one margin of the park; the source describes the source of the River Soar as close by.

Notice the mix of tree species — The park’s woodland includes native trees alongside striking non-native species, offering a change in character across the site.

When to go

May · June · July · October · Early morning or late afternoon for a quieter-feeling visit; the supplied source row also recommends these periods for photography.

The official visitor guide reports summer flowers including spotted orchids, oxeye daisies, vetch and knapweed. The supplied source row also notes autumn foliage. Specific peak flowering dates are not established.

Some paths are natural rather than hard-surfaced. Check ground conditions after wet weather and confirm current opening times before travel.

Worth pairing with

Heritage Walking Trail Route 1

A longer countryside walk linking Fosse Meadows with High Cross, Wigston Parva and Sharnford; use the official leaflet for route details.

The Pig in Muck, Claybrooke Magna

A pub named by Visit Blaby among the village links from the park. Check opening times before making it part of your visit.

High Cross

A nearby heritage point named in the council’s description of the old Fosse Way landscape.

What to look for

01
Look from the bird hide over the wildlife lake
02
in summer, the meadows may show spotted orchids, oxeye daisies, vetch and knapweed. The official visitor guide also names sparrowhawks, whitethroats and stonechats among birds recorded at the site.

The story

The old Fosse Way runs beside the park’s eastern boundary, with High Cross identified by the council as the centre point of old Roman England.

Best time to go

Late spring and summer for meadow flowers; autumn for foliage and quieter walks.

Late spring and summer bring the strongest reported meadow-flower display. Visit early or late in the day for a quieter-feeling walk, but check opening hours before travelling.

How long to spend

1–2 hours; allow longer for the heritage trail or a village walk

Perfect for

Families · Young children · Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Dogs

Practical information

Opening & access

Public country park with free entry. Check current opening times before visiting; park hours vary by season.

Check before visiting

Parking

Free on-site parking is listed by Blaby District Council. Check current park opening times before setting out.

Check before visiting

Toilets

An accessible toilet is listed by Visit Blaby District.

Food & drink

A mobile drinks and snacks van is reported in the main car park at peak times; nearby pubs are listed in Claybrooke Magna and Sharnford. Check availability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs are welcome according to the supplied source row. Blaby District Council asks visitors to keep dogs under close control; check current on-site guidance.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

Visit Blaby reports some hard-standing accessible paths, two wheelchair-friendly gates and an accessible toilet. Other paths are natural; suitability may vary across the site.

Cost

Free

Water

Wildlife lake and small stream. Swimming or paddling permission is not established; do not assume either is allowed.