Cloud Wood is 33 hectares in size. It is owned by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Cloud Wood is an ancient woodland and is one of the best sites in Leicestershire for flowering plants. Most of the rides are level although uneven in places and in the summer, the rides are heavily vegetated in places. During the Second World War, Cloud Wood was clear-felled and allowed to regenerate naturally, escaping the planting of conifers. In 1993 the site was given to the Trust by Ennstone Breedon plc. A coppice cycle was re-introduced in part of the wood, in order to benefit those animals and plants which prosper under this type of management. Other areas will be allowed to develop naturally into high forest. Rides and glades are often important habitats for wildlife in woodland, providing open areas and edge habitats. More than 220 species of ferns and flowering plants have been recorded. During the summer, the rides are carpeted with marjorum and wild basil which produce a lovely aroma when walking through it. Birds such as dunnock, chiff chaff, robin and buzzard can be heard singing and calling. Butterflies include speckled wood, peacocks, orange tips, silver washed fritillary and white-letter hairstreak. See http://www.lrwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/cloud-wood/ for more information about the nature reserve. Please note that in the summer, some of the rides are heavily vegetated.

Surveyed by: Nathalie Cossa, April 2016 (Spring)
Accessibility Rating: 3
Distance: 2.5 km

Full Profile

Lay-by, space to park approximately 10 car, about 1.5 miles north of junction with B5324 on road from Griffydam and Castle Donnington.

You have to turn left and walk 135m along the road or grass verge to get from the lay-by to the entrance to the wood.

Entrance to wood is 10m from the road on the right hand side. There is a dip in the path of 7.5 degrees/14%.

Squeeze through barrier, width between posts is 47cm.

Interpretation board detailing more information about the nature reserve

Slightly muddy, narrow path (50cm wide).

There is a small step onto the boardwalk which is 76cm wide with gaps up to 5 1/2cm. The whole boardwalk is covered in chicken wire, there are no handrails. There are several bends to the left and right. At one end of the boardwalk, there are 2 steps, the first is 16cm high, the second step is lower. There is an uphill gradient of 4 degrees/7.5%.

Narrow path, some exposed tree roots.

Dip and incline of 9 degrees/16% which was a little muddy at the bottom of the dip and a little rocky in places.

Turn left when you reach the junction. The path follows the ride which is gently undulating. The ride is made up of limestone and firm in places with overlying soil.

Incline of 8 degrees/14%.

Herb Paris, an ancient woodland indicator plant appears throughout the wood in patches.

Some ruts, incline of 5 degrees/8%

At the T-junction the option here is to turn left at the junction and follow the route which is lovely in the spring as the area is carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones. If you don't want to do this spring path, turn right and walk along the ride.

Spring path - turn right.

Interpretation board is on the right hand side (same text as the one at the other entrance).

Steep decline for a 1 metre section of 23 degrees/42%

Muddy path, some exposed tree roots. Decline of 6.5 degrees/12%

Carpets of bluebells, wood anemones, lesser celandine and early purple orchids in the spring.

There is no need to do this part unless you have chosen to park in the layby by this entrance. Dip down of 14 degrees/27%

Optional parking area, space for 2 cars.

Double back and walk back to the junction. Turn left.

At the next junction, turn right. Gently undulating path.

Muddy in places but path still firm.

Be careful of vehicle ruts in this area.

Turn left at the next junction.

Decline all along this section of the path 10 degrees/19%

Decline all along this section of the path 10 degrees/19%

A coppiced area where trees and shrubs are cut down and left to regrow for up to 12 years.

At the end of the ride there is a small path on the right. Follow the path.

Carpets of opposite-leaved golden saxifrage

Large lime stools can be seen in this area of non woodland management.

10 steps uphill. The highest tread is 18cm tall. There is currently no handrail.

Incline all the way up until the junction of 9.2 degrees/16.3%. Go straight on.

Tom's bench is on the left. The bench has no back. The path back to the lay-by is just to the right of the bench. Follow the path and boardwalk to return to the road.

On the roadside, turn left and walk back along grass verge to lay-by.