£350,000 investment to improve Outwoods facilities

Charnwood Borough Council is investing £350,000 in improvements to the Outwoods near Loughborough, including refurbished toilets, car park upgrades and a new ranger hub. Work is due to begin on Monday, 12 October, with completion expected in early 2027.

Visitors to the Outwoods near Loughborough are set to benefit from improved facilities as part of a £350,000 investment by Charnwood Borough Council.

The programme will include refurbishment of the existing public toilets, resurfacing of the car park and improvements to the entrance area.

The existing garage will also be demolished to make way for a new ranger hub, providing facilities for rangers and volunteers working at the woodland site.

Work is due to begin on Monday, 12 October 2026, and is expected to be completed by early 2027.

Cllr Anne Gray, the council’s Lead Member for Open Spaces, said the investment would enhance the visitor experience while providing better facilities for those who help maintain the site.

Cllr Hilary Fryer, Chair of the Outwoods Management Committee, added that the improvements would help ensure the facilities matched the quality of the woodland surroundings.

Visitors are being advised of temporary changes while the work takes place.

The car park is expected to remain open for most of the project, although the number of available spaces will be reduced temporarily while contractors establish a working area.

Alternative parking will be available at Nanpantan Sports Ground. Visitors can use the public right of way linking the sports ground with the Outwoods, which has recently been resurfaced to improve access.

The public toilets will close from 12 October and are expected to reopen in December. During the closure, alternative toilet facilities will be available inside Olivia’s Café.

The car park may also need to close temporarily at certain points during the works, with further updates to be issued in advance.

The Outwoods covers 110 acres of ancient woodland and is one of the oldest surviving woodland sites in Charnwood.

It offers a variety of walking routes and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England, protecting its wildlife and geology. The woodland also forms part of ancient Charnwood Forest and is the most easterly part of the National Forest.