What is Charnwood Forest?
Q: What is Charnwood Forest?
A: Charnwood Forest is an area in north-western Leicestershire, England, near Leicester, Loughborough, and Coalville. It has 45 sites of geological or wildlife interest and is the only site in Europe where the Ediacaran fossil Charnia is found.
Q: What type of landscape can be found in Charnwood Forest?
A: The area has some extensive tracts of woodland that are undulating, rocky and picturesque with barren areas. It generally reaches an elevation of 600 ft (180 m). On its western side there is an abandoned coalfield with Coalville and other former mining villages.
Q: What activities can be done at Charnwood Forest?
A: Rockclimbing and walking are popular activities at Charnwood Forest as well as woodland walks which are noted for their displays of bluebells in the early spring.
Q: What important features does Charnwood Forest have?
A:Charnwood Forest includes a National Nature Reserve (NNR), 19 SSSIs, four geological conservation sites of international importance, 13 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS), five local nature reserves (LNRs), and seven Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT) nature reserves.
Q: How has the M1 motorway impacted Charnwood Forest?
A: The M1 motorway cuts through Charnwood forest which has disrupted some areas within it.
Q: How long has stone been quarried from Charnwood forest?
A: Stone from Charwnood forest has been quarried for centuries to make grindstones. The granite quarries are also of national importance as they supply crushed stone ("aggregate") to much of southern Britain.
Q: Is there any regeneration happening within Charwnood forest?
A: Yes, the abandoned coalfield on its western side is being regenerated and replanted as part of the National Forest initiative
