Great Merrible Wood

Great Merrible Wood is a 12-hectare nature reserve east of Hallaton in Leicestershire. It sits within the Eye Brook Valley Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust owns and manages the site. This woodland is a surviving fragment of the medieval Leighfield Forest. It remains semi-natural ancient woodland with unusual plant species. The wood is notable for its diverse range of fungi, claimed to be the most varied in the county. Several unusual herbs grow here, including broadleaved helleborine, herb paris and violet helleborine. The site’s ecological importance makes it a key location for wildlife conservation. Its medieval origins add historical significance to its natural value. Visitors reach the wood via a footpath from Stockerston Lane. The woodland offers quiet paths through dense tree cover and open glades. Wildflowers bloom in spring and summer, while fungi appear in autumn. The reserve provides a peaceful retreat for nature walks and observation.