Abbey Park
This is a park with many different habitats, including the River Soar and several lakes. There are many mature trees, ornamental planting areas and interspersed less managed areas. The outer walls of the park provide sheltered sun spots and are good places to find insects. Bees are attracted to the nectar-rich flower plantings and there are always water birds to be seen on the river. There is a good range of fungi to be found particularly in the autumn.
Total species seen at this site: 494
Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the City centre. The River Soar divides this beautiful park into two distinct areas: to the east of the river lies the highly decorative Victorian part of the park with its evergreen shrubberies, trees, lakes and formally planted flower displays and to the west of the river lies the fascinating Abbey Grounds. Within this area are the remains of the twelfth century Leicester Abbey and the ruins of Cavendish House, a seventeenth century mansion.
Latest records
| Common Name | Latin Name | Date Recorded | Recorded By | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadwall | Anas strepera | 17/01/2019 | Peter Smith | |
| Wigeon | Anas penelope | 17/01/2019 | Peter Smith | |
| Wood Avens | Geum urbanum | 07/01/2019 | Peter Smith | |
| Wallflower | Erysimum cheiri | 25/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Carrion Crow | Corvus corone | 24/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Goldcrest | Regulus regulus | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Hairy Curtain Crust | Stereum hirsutum | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Common Greenshield Lichen | Flavoparmelia caperata | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Mistle Thrush | Turdus viscivorus | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Thale Cress | Arabidopsis thaliana | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Puccinia lagenophorae | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | ||
| Monkey-puzzle | Araucaria araucana | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| 7 Spot Ladybird | Coccinella septempunctata | 22/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Italian Lords-and-Ladies agg. | Arum italicum agg. | 21/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
| Caper Spurge | Euphorbia lathyris | 21/12/2018 | Saharima Roenisch | |
The park lies about a mile from Leicester city centre, along St Margaret's Way. There are several entrances but the main access is off Abbey Park Road. There is a car park near to Pet's Corner, on Abbey Park Road neat to the junction with St. Margaret's Road.
