Billa Barra, Markfield

Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary

Getting There

Billa Barra Hill is situated within the north of the borough and can be accessed off Junction 22 of the M1 motorway. The main access point is at the western edge of the site at Billa Barra Lane (opposite the Miners Welfare Club). Another access point is located at the southern boundary on Billa Barra Lane. A third access point can be found on Stanton Lane. Vehicular access is restricted to the south end corner of the site where there is a car park on Billa Barra Lane.

Managed By
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Further Information

Billa Barra Hill on The National Forest web site

Wild places

Total species seen at this site:

Description

This 20 hectare local nature reserve, located in the north of the borough of Hinckley and Bosworth, consists of a variety of habitats including acid grassland, which is ecologically significant at a local level. Additionally, there are a number of rocky outcrops of Markfieldite, making the hill a regionally important geological site. The site consists of formerly improved pasture, surrounding a small hilltop plantation, dating from the late 1800's/early 1900's, and a small quarry.

Billa Barra

Wildlife Highlights

The hill top is ecologically interesting, with areas of acid grassland and an old conifer plantation.  The pools in the abandoned quarry support a variety of species, including a rare lichen, only found at one other site in Leicestershire.  The improved grassland on the slopes of the hill below the gorse scrub line are being planted with native broadleaved trees which will be used as local provenance seed stock. The site is a good area for warblers, particularly around the gorse areas.

 

The records and images below may include those from adjacent sites if the grid reference submitted with these records overlaps the boundary of this Wild Place.

Latest images

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest records