Pictures of the National Forest Photographs, information, facts, etc.

Contents

The pages are listed from south east to north west.

Select area to view:

• Introduction
• Alrewas area
• Needwood Forest
• Barton under Needwood
• Branston and Tatenhill
• Burton upon Trent
• Rosliston
• Swadlincote
• Albert Village/Ch. Gresley
• Foremark
• Staunton Harold
• Calke, Dimminsdale
• Moira
• Conkers
• Donisthorpe
• Oakthorpe
• Ashby, New Lount
• Sence Valley
• Snibston
• Thringstone
• Whitwick
• Thornton
• Beacon Hill

• Map of National Forest

Moira and Moira Furnace

Moira is a place of great regeneration. The former 'Heart of the National Forest Visitor Centre' on the site of the old Bath Yard has now developed into Conkers with the addition of the new Discovery Centre which opened in April 2001.

Conkers Waterside has about 3/4 mile of pleasant woodland walks and an excellent children's play area. The Discovery Centre can be reached by foot or via the Conkers Train, 'Conkeroo'.

In September 2001, the second section of the Ashby Canal restoration was completed linking Conkers with Moira Furnace, a short distance away.

Above right: The new canal basin outside Conkers Waterside during Easter 2002. Despite only opening in September 2001, the grass has already fully established itself.

Right: The Moira Furnace trip boat Joseph Wilkes approaching the new lock taking the canal under the road at Moira.

Between Conkers Waterside and the Rawdon Road is the 25 acre Sarah's Wood. There is a car park, toilets and a children's playground especially designed for less able-bodied children. There are surfaced paths through the woodland and a picnic area.

Below: A view of Sarah's Wood showing the picnic area.

Linking Conkers and the Moira Furnace is the newly reopened section of the Ashby Canal. Across the other side of the Rawdon Road is the new (not yet opened) Rawdon East Country Park with around a mile of pathways and two fishing lakes.

Below left and right: The fishing lakes in Rawdon East Country Park.

Moira Furnace

Half a mile away from Conkers is the Moira Furnace. Nearby are woodland walks, a children's play area and a bank of old lilm kilns which have been partially restored / presented for public interpretation. There is also a cafe, toilets and a series of craft units.

The restored Ashby Canal runs alongside, linking the Furnace with both Conkers and Donisthorpe Woodland Park. Boat trips along the canal are available and regular events are held during the summer months, such as the Ashby Canal Festival. Tours of the furnace are also available.

Below left and right: Views of Moira Furnace.

Below left: The bank of lime kilns near the Furnace. The Ashby Canal is behind them. Below right: The inside of a lime kiln. At the bottom, you can see where the processed lime was removed.

Below: The entrance to the woodlands at Moira Furnace from the car park next to the children's play area.