Kelham Bridge forms an added piece of the jigsaw of The National Forest. This Forestry Commission woodland is adjacent to the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trusts Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve and complements the restoration work carried out here. The new woodland created in 2006 is a mixture of habitats benefiting a wide range of wildlife. The upper fields have been planted as a mixed native broadleaf woodland including species such as oak and ash, the fields near to the woodland entrance have been planted as wet woodland with species such as alder and willow and the lower fields adjacent to the nature reserve have been left as rough meadow with grasses, nettles and other plants to blend with the nature reserve and provide hunting habitat for raptors.
How to get there:
Kelham Bridge is part of The National Forest. Ibstock is the nearest town or village.
By road
Kelham Bridge is on the A447 between Ravenstone and Ibstock. The main entrance to the woodland is at the Severn Trent Water Station just before the road bridge.
Grass tracks and rides take you around this new woodland and link to the adjacent nature reserve. The public rights of way network creates a link to the nearby Forestry Commission woodland of Sence Valley Forest Park. For details of the rights of way network see O.S. Explorer 245 The National Forest.
A bridleway runs along the northern edge of the woodland. For details see O.S. Explorer 245 The National Forest for details of the network.
A guide to where to see wildlife in The National Forest is available from the National Forest Company and includes information on Kelham Bridge, Sence Valley Forest Park, Seale Woods, Rosliston Forestry Centre, Alistair's Wood, Bignall's wood and Jaguar Lount Wood. To download the leaflet visit www.nationalforest.org/document/nature/wildlife_guide.pdf or contact the National Forest Company on 01283 551211.
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