Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

The Outwoods

The Outwoods is a much-loved local beauty spot, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Situated in the north-eastern corner of Charnwood Forest, 2 miles west of Loughborough the woods form a prominent landscape feature.

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).

Opening Times
The Outwoods is open all year round. 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

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

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 85.01 Kb.)
• Outwoods maps (JPEG Image 423.57 Kb.)
• Outwoods Volunteers (JPEG Image 10.13 Kb.)

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 Mark Graham on 01509 634976
or click the link below

• Charnwood Conservation Volunteers

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 where 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.

To book either of the mobility scooters, or for more information call Charnwood Borough Council’s Leisure Services on 01509 634673. or email bryony.williamson@charnwood.gov.uk.