About Mountsorrel > Outdoors > Castle Hill
In the north of the village stands a mass of granite rock known locally as Castle Hill, said to be the site of a Norman castle built by Hugh Lupus and destroyed in mediaeval times. It is an important local landmark and its value for wildlife is significant as an example of an acid grassland and rock outcrop mix which was once well-represented in Leicestershire at Mountsorrel, Croft and Enderby but has now been lost to extensive quarrying.
Notable wild flowers found here include the rare Subterranean Trefoil. Wild Pansy and Harebell, whose delicate blue, bell-shaped flowers can he seen in the late summer on the barer areas. The wealth of flowering plants provides valuable feeding and breeding sites for a host of animal and bird species. The yellow male Brimstone butterfly can often be seen in the late spring as it is drawn to the flowers during its migration, while the diminutive Small Heath can be seen for most of the summer. Finch and tit flocks are often seen in the wooded embankments, particularly in the winter, and in the summer months, swifts, house martins and swallows can be observed feeding over the hill.
In the past, grazing farm stock kept much of the vegetation low but, as this practice ceased, vigorous shrubby species, such as Bramble and Rosebay Willow-herb have invaded some areas to the detriment of the smaller, finer plants. In recent years however, practical management has been employed to thin some of this scrub to benefit the rarer acid grassland communities.