Trees and path in Martinshaw Wood near Ratby, Leicestershire

Where to go · Leicestershire

Forest bathing at Martinshaw Wood

A large Woodland Trust ancient wood near Ratby, split by the M1 and linked by a bridge, with 36 tree species.

Martinshaw Wood near Ratby covers 103 hectares and is owned by the Woodland Trust. It is ancient woodland, thought to be listed in Domesday, with roots as a deer park and an Iron Age enclosure probably at its northern end. The M1 split it in two in 1969 and a bridge now joins the halves. There are 36 tree species, including Scots and Corsican pine, western red cedar and aspen, and conifers are being thinned to favour broadleaves.

The free car park is on the western side off Markfield Road. From there grassy and surfaced paths lead into the wood, and there are accessible routes. It sits within the National Forest and is easy to reach from Leicester, with refreshments in Ratby and Groby.

Practical

Managed by
Woodland Trust
Parking
Free car park off Markfield Road, western side
Terrain
Grassy and surfaced paths; accessible routes
Facilities
No facilities on site; refreshments in Ratby and Groby
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
nationalforest.org

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Martinshaw Wood

More woodlands in Leicestershire

All venues in Leicestershire
Woodland path at Beacon Hill Country Park, LeicestershireBeacon Hill Country ParkCharnwood hilltop woods on ancient volcanic rock, with bluebells and autumn colourQueen Adelaide's Oak, an old oak tree in Bradgate Park, LeicestershireBradgate ParkMedieval deer park in Charnwood Forest, home to red and fallow deerFootbridge among the trees in Burbage Wood near Hinckley, LeicestershireBurbage Common and WoodsCoppiced woods and hay meadow on the edge of Hinckley, with a free car park

Photos: Beacon Hill Country Park, Mat Fascione (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bradgate Park, Mat Fascione (CC BY-SA 2.0); Burbage Common and Woods, Tim Glover (CC BY-SA 2.0).