Nature and wildlife - Wildlife in England - East Midlands

The East Midlands is an area of immensely diverse scenery, ranging from the flat agricultural landscapes of southern Lincolnshire through the wooded estates of the Dukeries in Nottinghamshire to the upland drama of the Derbyshire Pennines, which lie within one of England’s most famous national parks. Imagine rugged hills and mountains, romantic windswept moors, gently rolling farmland, wooded dales, lakeland views and majestic underground caverns.

The local Countryside Service manages a wonderful variety of sites and facilities, ranging from local footpaths to national trails, from large country parks to small picnic sites, from amenity grasslands to flower-rich hay meadows, from reservoirs to ponds, to car parks, canals, wetlands, woodlands, visitor centres, and even historic buildings and structures.

Where to go and what to see

Leicestershire

Burbage Common and Woods (Hinckley) (www.hinckleyandbosworthonline.org.uk/pp/business/bronze.asp?id=27904)
Burbage Woods are nationally important because of spectacular ground fauna, and the Common is one of the largest areas of grassland in the area.

The Ecohouse (www.environ.org.uk/~environ/ecohouse/index.php)
The Ecohouse is an internationally renowned environmental show home and organic garden, which demonstrates hundreds of environmental features and ideas, encouraging visitors to make green changes to their own homes.

Rutland Water Nature Reserves (www.rutlandwater.u-net.com/rw/RW.home.htm)
Experience cycling, watersports and a trip on board the Rutland Belle. You can also visit the Butterfly Farm and Aquatic Centre. The British Birdwatching Fair is held here annually.

Lincolnshire

Beneath Lincolnshire’s big skies, European clean water Blue Flags have proudly fluttered over our premier beaches for years. And with 50 miles of coast, Lincolnshire’s award-winning golden coastline combines an enticing mix of family fun and tranquil solitude. Waves gently break on to a coastline stretching from the Humber to the Wash.