Bennion Pools Nature Area, located on the north western fringe of the city, and in close proximity to Castle Hill Country Park, is one of Leicester’s most recent parks. This small, yet highly attractive site has been largely developed through the efforts of the local community, working in partnership with Parks Services, the Environment Agency and local conservation interests. The site has benefited considerably in recent time through funding from the Heritage Lottery Community Spaces Programme. In 2010 the Green Pennant was awarded.
The Bennion Pools Nature Area comprises a variety of natural habitat including areas of open water, plantation woodland, scrub and amenity grasslands. The site is home to a wide variety of amphibians, birds and other wildlife. Swans, mallards and coots are all resident on the site, as are frogs, toads and newts. The two pools contain a fishery well stocked with carp and silver fish including bream, tench, roach, rudd and perch. Recent tree planting have included English Oak, flowering cherry, Rowan and areas of native ‘whip’ planting. Grassland and spinney areas have been seeded with wildflowers and spring flowering bulbs, many of which have been planted by local school children.
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The Bennion Pools Nature Area would have historically comprised part of the Beaumont Lodge Farm, the main farm building of which (Beaumont Lodge) still survives, and is located close by, on Astill Lodge Road. This old farm dates back to the late 17th Century, and comprised part of the historic Beaumont Leys Estate. The Nature Area was initially established as an urban fishery. Originally just one pond, possibly associated with the former Beaumont Lodge Sewage Scheme / City Farms Enterprise, the site became home to the Bennion Pools Angling Club in 2002. Another pool (the ‘upper pond’) was added in 2004, to reflect the original (extended) pond both in size and shape. A Friends of Group was established in 2007 with view to developing, conserving and managing the site as an urban fishery, nature area and general recreational amenity.
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The Park is still very much in it's early stages of development. Grant funding through the Community Spaces Programme has enabled improved access, with provision of all-weather paths circum-navigating the ponds and connecting up with the site's main entries on Redruth and Bennion Roads. There is also a dog walk and a nature trail, complete with brass rubbings for children and a small picnic are with seating and litter provision. Information boards explaining the site's wildlife are installed throughout. Fishing pegs are located beside both pools, including fishing platforms for disabled anglers. The Bennion Pools Angling Club has a small car park, for members only.
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While Park Services have still to establish a User Group for this site, the Friends of Bennion Pools meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the park. Everyone is welcome. Contact the Chair for more details: Mr John Greasely Tel: 0116 220 4020.
For information relating to membership of the fishing club and/or day fishing rates, again, please contact Mr Greasley . The fishing club also have their own web site www.freewebs.com/bennionpools
How to get there
The park may be accessed, by foot, from the Redruth Road and Bennion Road. The no. 26 bus can be taken from Charles Street in the city centre to Bennion Road
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