Watermead Country Park South

 

 

Watermead Country Park (South) has a strong sense of place with its wetland character, unusual in Leicester's urban environment.  As may be expected, the water features are the most prominent aspect of the park. Watermead is one of the most important wildlife sites in the city.

 

A foil of mature and semi-mature trees and shrubs forma backdrop to the open expanses of water, with reeds and other flora adding to the perception of an untouched natural environment.  In fact the park would not exist in its present form if it had not been for a period of gravel extraction, which at the time would have ruined the balance of nature in the area.

 

The park itself is part of the much wider Soar Valley floodplain that encompasses many other lakes, nature reserves and Watermead Country Park (North).  The north park is owned and managed by Leicestershire County Council.

 

The park also forms a part of the Watermead South Local Nature Reserve, as designated in March 2005, and forms a gateway to the City of Leicester as the northern most part of Leicester's Riverside.  The park is a popular area for walkers, cyclists, bird watchers and people who just enjoy the open air attracting regular visitors from both the city and the county.

 

 

Initially the park was used as farmland and then for gravel extraction.  In 1989 the park was developed from these now disused gravel pits.  In 2005 the park was designated by English Nature as a Local Nature Reserve, this provides the site with further protection from potential development.

 

 

The river and canal form the entire western edge of the park.

 

Boats are known to have used the River Soar since the Roman times.  During the 19th Century, however, the river became a significant commercial waterway following works to improve the navigation between Loughborough and Leicester.  The Leicester Navigation Bill received its Royal Assent in May 1791 and work started to improve the River Soar / Grand Union Canal with the navigation finally opening in 1794.  Birstall Lock, one of the 10 on the canal, is at the top nothwest corner of the park.

 

The heyday for the canal was in the 1820's and 1830's when it was the most profitable navigation in the whole of the UK, transporting goods to and from London.  This booming waterways trade lead to significant development in Leicester.  When the railways came to Leicester the commercial use of the canal faded away and today it is used almost exclusively by recreational boaters.

 

 

There are two lakes within the park, both created after gravel extraction activities.  The southern lake is dedicated to wildlife and is managed as a bird reserve.  The northern lake, in contrast, has a more recreational nature, however the island in the middle is an important breeding site for birds such as the Common Tern and the Oystercatcher.  This lake is also used for the training of Newfoundland dogs - the Web Footed Wonders - for their original purpose of rescuing people from water.  For details of their training times telephone Peter Lewin - 0116 289 7969

 

The life size Mammoth sculpture on top of a small hill overlooking the lakes, reminds us of times when our ancestors shared this area with these magnificent creatures.  The prehistoric remains found on this site include mammoth, bison and deer, which were all uncovered thanks to the disturbance during the gravel extraction process.  These remains are thought to date back to the last ice age.

 

Several wooded areas are included in the park with paths to allow visitors access.  The Community Woodland is managed in partnership with Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire, (http://www.gwll.org.uk/) to promote woodland flora and fauna.

 

 

The main car park is accessed via a driveway off Alderton Close, just off the A607 Melton Road.  A public footpath crosses the Birstall Lock, entering the park in the north west corner, another enters the park by Raynsway Marina and a third from the direction of Thurmaston at the north eastern corner of the park.

 

A pedestrian and cycle route enters the park under the Watermead Way road bridge.  Cycling the Great Central Way

The Friends of Watermead are a non profit community group, whose aim is to make Watermead a better park.  Members of the group organise and take part in events and activities that help to promote and enhance the park.  New members are always welcome.