Off Croft Hill Road, between Huncote and Croft, Leicestershire

Huncote New Hill Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

5.4

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

HillsRiversideWetlandWalkersFamiliesWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.4

A former quarry landscape now crossed by nature paths, an elevated boardwalk and routes towards the bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook.

The appeal here is the contrast between a worked landscape and its varied habitats: a flatter lower-level trail, an elevated boardwalk and a more demanding climb to the top. It offers a compact nature walk with a choice of effort, rather than a destination that needs embellishment.

Peaceful · Wild

Find your way

Open map

Off Croft Hill Road, between Huncote and Croft, Leicestershire

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The experience

Choose the flatter lower-level nature walk for an easier visit, or take the steps towards the top for a more demanding outing. The parish councils also describe paths connecting with bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook and a circular walk towards Croft and around Croft Hill.

Things to do

Walk the flatter lower-level trail

Explore the lower-level nature walk, which the parish councils describe as flatter and suitable for disabled users and pushchairs.

Follow the elevated boardwalk

Look for the raised boardwalk section among the reserve's series of footpaths.

Take the steps towards the top

The official pages show a stepped ascent and a view from the top. Expect a more demanding option than the lower-level path.

Look for the pond and varied habitats

The Croft Parish Council page includes a pond image and says the paths lead through different habitat types.

Extend the outing towards the river bridges

The nature trail connects to bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook; the parish council describes a circular route towards Croft and around Croft Hill.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour; estimated, as no duration is published in the supplied sources

Quick boardwalk and lower-level walk

01
Walk from Huncote towards the reserve access off Croft Hill Road.
02
Explore the flatter lower-level nature walk and its elevated boardwalk.
03
Return the same way.

Half day · Allow 1–2 hours; estimated, as no duration is published in the supplied sources

Nature trail and climb to the top

01
Start with the lower-level nature walk and elevated boardwalk.
02
Take the steps towards the top if you are comfortable with a steeper climb.
03
Return by the paths you used to reach the reserve.

Verified history

The supplied official reserve pages describe the paths and habitats but do not provide a verified account of the site's quarry history. The source row calls it a former quarry, but the supplied research does not substantiate that detail.

Hidden details

The lower path is the easier option — The parish councils distinguish the flatter lower-level walk from the stepped route to the top; this is useful when choosing a route for pushchairs or visitors seeking a less strenuous visit.

When to go

· Check current conditions; the supplied sources do not identify a best time of day.

The official reserve pages do not verify seasonal wildlife peaks or recommend particular months.

Check conditions before setting out. The supplied sources do not provide specific weather guidance.

The route

difficulty: Lower-level walk described as flatter; the route to the top includes steps. Overall difficulty not specified.
route shape: The parish council describes paths connecting to bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook, enabling a circular route towards Croft and around Croft Hill.
start point: Reserve access off Croft Hill Road; the parish councils encourage walking from the village.
parking start: No formal parking at the access gate. Informal weekend parking is noted at the Aggregates Industries offices car park on Huncote Road, Croft, LE9 3GT; check current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Stay on the flatter lower-level nature walk and return without taking the steps to the top.

Flatter lower-level nature walk
Elevated boardwalk
Steps to the top
Paths through different habitat types
Bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook

What to look for

Notice the elevated boardwalk, the different habitats along the paths, and the contrast between the lower-level trail and the stepped climb. The official pages also identify a pond and bridges over the River Soar and Thurlaston Brook.

The story

Former quarry landscape; the supplied official sources do not give a detailed quarry history.

Best time to go

Year-round; choose a clear day for the higher paths and views. Current seasonal wildlife highlights are not verified.

A clear day is useful if you want to take the steps to the top and make the most of the views. Seasonal wildlife claims in the source row are not independently supported by the supplied research.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Families · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

The reserve is off Croft Hill Road. The parish councils advise visitors to walk from the village because there is no formal parking at the access gate. Informal weekend parking is noted at the Aggregates Industries offices car park on Huncote Road, Croft; check arrangements before relying on it.

Check before visiting

Parking

No formal parking by the access gate. Walking from the village is encouraged; informal weekend parking at the Aggregates Industries offices car park is described by the parish councils. Check current arrangements.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current reserve signage and local guidance before visiting with a dog.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The lower-level nature walk is described by the parish councils as flatter and suitable for disabled users and pushchairs. Other paths include steps and steeper sections, so the full reserve is not uniformly accessible.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

River Soar, Thurlaston Brook and a pond are shown or mentioned in the supplied sources. No water activities or access permissions are verified.