Normanton-le-Heath and Sence Valley

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 7.47 miles

About the walk

This scenic circular walking route begins at the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood, a flagship National Forest site situated just outside the historic village of Normanton le Heath in Leicestershire. Walkers will initialy navigate through this vibrant country park, following a network of well-maintained footpaths that showcase the region's massive woodland creation efforts. The trail then transitions smoothly out of the country park to skirt along the edges of vast, active agricultural fields, offering sweeping rural vistas before turning back toward the picturesque village of Ravenstone.

After passing the village of Ravenstone, the journey connects to the renowned Sence Valley Forest Park, a spectacularly transformed former open-cast coal mine. This section of the walk guides you alongside serene lakes and rich wetland habitats that are perfect for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Leaving the forest park behind, the path leads into the peaceful village of Heather, rich with local heritage, before entering the final stretch of countryside that brings you directly back to your starting point at the Diamond Jubilee Wood.

Further Information

Both the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood and the Sence Valley Forest Park are fascinating examples of landscape reclamation within the National Forest in Leicestershire. Both sites have successfully transitioned from industrial, environmental scars into thriving, biodiverse community spaces.

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood

This expansive 186-hectare (460-acre) site was established in 2012 by the Woodland Trust as the centerpiece of a UK-wide initiative to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It holds a distinct title as the only "Diamond Wood" across the entire United Kingdom that is directly owned and managed by the Woodland Trust itself.

Industrial Rebirth: A substantial portion of the wood encompasses the former Long Moor open-cast coal mine. Between 2007 and 2010, over 725,000 tonnes of coal were extracted here before the land was complexly acquired and re-envisioned for nature.
Massive Tree Planting: The design for the site involved planting 300,000 new native trees—including species like oak, ash, field maple, silver birch, beech, and hornbeam. It represents the largest single expanse of woodland under one ownership within the National Forest.
A Mix of Old and New: While much of the forest is young, the landscape preserves 7 hectares (17 acres) of existing ancient woodland and historical hedgerows, creating a seamless integration of old habitats and new conservation land.

Sence Valley Forest Park

Located nearby, between Ibstock and Heather, this 60-hectare park is managed by Forestry England. It is a mature example of industrial transformation, having originally opened to the public in 1998 after its own history as an active open-cast colliery.

Coal to Conservation: Between 1982 and 1996, the location yielded eight million tonnes of coal. Following its closure, the site was thoroughly transformed with the planting of roughly 100,000 trees, including Corsican pine, larch, poplars, and diverse broadleaf species.
A Birdwatcher's Haven: The River Sence winds through the park, feeding into three major lakes. The varied habitats of wetlands and open meadows support incredible biodiversity—over 150 bird species have been recorded here, and the park features a purpose-built artificial sand martin nesting wall by Horseshoe Lake.
Named by Children: The name "Sence Valley Forest Park" was officially chosen in the summer of 1998 following a naming competition held among local schoolchildren.
Diverse Recreation: Today, the site includes broad level trails for accessibility, a network of horse-riding and cycling paths, permanent orienteering courses, a bird hide, and the Little Bluebird Café.