Hill Lane, near Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9UD

Hill Hole Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

7.1

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Dramatic

Feel

HillsRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersHistory loversWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.1

A former granite quarry where exposed rock faces and a trig point bring together Charnwood’s deep geological past and its industrial history.

Hill Hole earns its place for a combination that is unusual in a small reserve: exposed Markfieldite, a working quarry’s industrial story, several habitats and far-reaching views from the trig point. Its steep climbs add a more rugged feel than a simple park stroll.

Dramatic · Peaceful

Find your way

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Hill Lane, near Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9UD

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The experience

Explore the surfaced paths and quarry landscape, pause at the exposed rock faces, and find the trig point for views across the surrounding countryside. Steep climbs mean the route may not suit everyone.

Things to do

See the quarry rock faces

Explore the former quarry’s exposed rock faces and Markfieldite outcrops.

Visit the trig point

Reach the trig point for views across the surrounding countryside; the Geopark says Birmingham can be seen on a clear day.

Read the interpretation panels

Find the Geopark panels explaining biodiversity, geology and the site’s history.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Check before visiting

Quick quarry-and-view escape

01
Start from the small car park on Hill Lane.
02
Follow the surfaced paths to see the quarry landscape and exposed rock faces.
03
Visit the trig point for views across the countryside, then return by a suitable path.

Half day · Check before visiting

Make time for the layers of Hill Hole

01
Explore the quarry and its rock outcrops using the surfaced paths.
02
Look for the Geopark’s interpretation panels on biodiversity, geology and history.
03
Continue to the trig point for the views; allow for steep climbs on parts of the site.

Verified history

Hill Hole was formerly known as Windmill Hill, Markfield Knowle and Knoll Hill. A Buck brothers drawing from 1743 depicts a windmill at the summit. A quarry opened here in 1852; the National Forest account records that at least six men died there in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The hill’s trees were felled for pit props for Desford Colliery in 1916. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council purchased the quarry in 2001 for use as a nature area within the National Forest. The site includes exposed Markfieldite, a hard igneous rock historically used for kerbstones and setts.

Hidden details

Three interpretation panels — The Geopark lists separate biodiversity, geology and history panels, each with its own What3Words reference: ///PRINTOUT.CRYSTALS.ETERNALLY, ///DEEDS.COACH.MOLARS and ///MISTAKING.OBVIOUS.TRANSLATED.

Markfieldite in the streets — The Geopark connects the site’s exposed Markfieldite to kerbstones and setts used historically; it suggests keeping an eye out for the stone in Victorian London streets.

When to go

· A clear day, for the trig-point views.

The supplied sources do not identify precise peak months. The source row describes spring and summer as good for plant life and active wildlife; the Geopark notes that Birmingham may be visible from the trig point on a clear day.

Some paths include steep climbs. Check conditions before visiting; clear weather is best for distant views.

What to look for

Look for the exposed Markfieldite outcrops, the quarry face, the trig point and the three interpretation panels covering biodiversity, geology and history. The Geopark notes that Markfieldite was historically used for kerbstones and setts.

The story

Quarrying and industrial heritage; local place names and a recorded windmill at the summit.

Best time to go

Year-round; spring and summer for active wildlife and plant life, and clear days for the views.

Choose a clear day for the trig-point views. Spring and summer are a good time to look for active plant and animal life, though exact seasonal highlights are not specified by the supplied sources.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Wildlife lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

A nature reserve with surfaced paths, accessible routes and some steep climbs. A small car park is available on Hill Lane. Check current access conditions before visiting.

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Parking

A small car park is available on Hill Lane, Markfield. Check current availability before setting out.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

The National Forest describes surfaced paths and accessible routes, but also notes steep climbs. Check route conditions and suitability before visiting.

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Cost

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Water

Water-filled quarry