South of Oakham
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
15.58 ha (38.50 acres)
Grid reference:
SK851078
Map reference:
Explorer 234
OS Landranger 141
Take in stunning views of Rutland Water and the surrounding countryside at this flourishing new woodland. Brooke Hill Wood sits on the outskirts of the traditional market town of Oakham and boasts excellent walks through woods and grassland.
Brooke Hill Wood is a 15.6 hectare (38.5 acre) site on the southern edges of Oakham in Rutland in the East Midlands. It is adjacent to Gorse Field, Harris Grove and Ball's Meadow, another Woodland Trust site.
From the A1, turn onto the B668 towards Oakham and follow through Greetham and into Cottesmore, turning left onto Hall Close in Cottesmore.
Continue to follow the B668 onto Cottesmore Road, staying on the B668 through Burley and onto Oakham Road then Burley Road.
When you reach the outskirts of Oakham, follow the B668 through the town centre and over two roundabouts until the end of the high street where you will continue straight onto Brooke Road.
Turn left onto Brooke Road just after you have crossed the train tracks. Continue down Brooke Road, passing the Brooke Hill Academy on your right. There is a car park directly next to the school.
The nearest train station is Oakham, 1.7km (1 mile) from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is on Spey Drive, about a two minute walk from the wood.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Access to Brooke Hill Wood is via the main car park on the lower slopes.
The paths are level on the lower slopes but the upper slopes are steep in places and accessed by stiles. All paths are grass.
There is a car park with spaces for around 20 cars at the main entrance to the wood. The car park is used and managed by the local school and council at peak times, but is otherwise free and open for visitors to the wood.
The closest public toilets are on Church Street, Oakham, where there are accessible facilities for RADAR key holders.
This young woodland supports a range of wildlife. From roaming mammals to tiny ants making huge piles of earth, Brooke Hill Wood is full of life.
Look out for some of the invertebrates that flock here in summer, and keep a keen eye out for barn owls and red kites.
Look out for:
While this wood is still relatively young, there are plenty of plant species to see.
Look out for:
This new woodland is a mix of habitats that support our native wildlife.
Explore:
We purchased Brooke Hill Wood as an extension of Gorse Field, Harris Grove and Ball's Meadow in 2008.
It was planted with native trees, including a number of royal oak trees collected from royal estates to mark the Diamond Jubilee. The site was officially opened by Princess Anne.
The site used to be home to the shooting stations of Oakham School's rifle range up until the 1970s.
In older history, the site was used as a medieval field, still showing signs of the ridge and furrow ploughing method.
