Melbourne Road, Newbold Coleorton, Leicestershire LE67 8JH

New Lount Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

6.7

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandWetlandFarmlandWalkersDogsFamiliesWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.7

A former colliery, open from 1924 to 1968, has become a 19.5-hectare reserve of woodland, grassland and wetland pools. Old tarmac sidings still mark the site’s industrial past.

New Lount’s appeal is in the change of scene: a former mining site now holds ponds, marsh, grassland and woodland, with traces of the colliery still visible. Bee orchids, grass snakes and bats are among the wildlife noted by the country parks authority.

Peaceful · Wild

Find your way

Open map

Melbourne Road, Newbold Coleorton, Leicestershire LE67 8JH

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

The experience

Walk through a mixed reserve on a former colliery site: look for wetland wildlife around the pools and remnants of the industrial landscape. A longer circular route is described by AllTrails, though some sections can be muddy.

Things to do

Walk among the ponds, grassland and woodland

Explore the reserve’s mixed habitats on its paths. The National Forest describes grassy and surfaced paths; some sections may be muddy in wet conditions.

45 minutes or more

Look for wildlife around the wetland pools

Pause by the pools and marshland to watch for birds and dragonflies. The country parks authority also notes bats hunting over the water and grassland.

Find the industrial traces

Look for the old tarmac sidings that remain as reminders of New Lount Colliery.

Look for bee orchids in the grassland

The country parks authority identifies the open grassland as a haven for bee orchids. Their presence or flowering cannot be guaranteed on a particular visit.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 45 minutes

Quick Escape: Ponds and colliery traces

01
Start from the reserve car park.
02
Take a short walk through the reserve, passing the wetland pools.
03
Look for the old tarmac sidings and other visible reminders of the colliery.
04
Return by the paths; expect muddy sections after wet weather.

Half day · About 1–1.5 hours walking; allow extra time to pause for wildlife

Make a Half Day of It: Take the reserve circuit

01
Begin at the reserve car park and follow the circular route described by AllTrails.
02
Pass the ponds, then continue through the surrounding woodland and pasture.
03
Pause near the wetland pools to look for birds and dragonflies.
04
Return to the car park; wear suitable footwear because rougher sections can be muddy.

Verified history

New Lount was the site of a colliery that operated from 1924 to 1968. The reserve authority says it was the shortest-lived colliery in the area and that its closure ended 500 years of deep mining in Coleorton parish. The site became a Local Nature Reserve in 1995. Old tarmac sidings remain as a visible reminder of the industrial use.

Hidden details

The old sidings — Look for surviving tarmac areas from the former colliery sidings, a tangible reminder of the site’s mining past.

Life in the grassland — The reserve authority identifies bee orchids and grass snakes in the open grassland. These are possible discoveries, not guaranteed sightings.

When to go

· No specific time of day is verified. The car park is listed as open from 9am to 4pm daily.

The reserve authority recommends spring and summer for flowers and active insects and birds, and notes autumn leaf colour. No precise peak dates are supplied.

Paths may be muddy in wet conditions; wear suitable footwear. Check current access and weather before setting out.

The route

ascent: 265 ft
surface: Grassy and surfaced paths; some rougher sections can become muddy when wet
distance: 3.8 miles
duration: 1–1.5 hours
difficulty: Easy
route shape: Loop
start point: New Lount Nature Reserve car park
parking start: Leicestershire Country Parks lists a free car park, open daily 9am–4pm.
shorter alternative: A visitor review describes a walk of about 45 minutes; the exact route and distance are not specified.

Three wetland pools
Woodland, grassland and pasture
Remnants of the former colliery sidings
Potential wildlife watching around the ponds

What to look for

01
Look for the old tarmac sidings, now-visible reminders of the colliery
02
bee orchids and grass snakes in the open grassland
03
and bats hunting over the water and grassland. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

The story

Industry

Best time to go

Spring and summer for flowers and active wildlife; autumn for leaf colour. The reserve is open all year.

Spring and summer are noted for flowers and active insects and birds; autumn brings changing leaf colour. Check local conditions for seasonal highlights.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Dogs · Families · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

Public access. Leicestershire Country Parks lists the reserve as open all year, with a free car park open daily from 9am to 4pm. Paths include grassy and surfaced sections; some routes are described as accessible, but conditions vary.

Parking

Free car park at the site, listed as open daily 9am–4pm. Access is off Melbourne Road.

Toilets

No on-site toilets are listed by Leicestershire Country Parks; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

No café or food provision is confirmed in the supplied sources. A picnic area is listed.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome; AllTrails says they should be kept on leads. Follow current site signage.

Accessibility

The National Forest lists accessible routes; paths are grassy and surfaced. Leicestershire Country Parks describes accessible paths. Check current conditions and route suitability before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free

Water

Three wetland pools and marshland. Swimming or paddling permission is not established; do not assume these activities are permitted.