Martinshaw Woods - Groby
The courses were initially installed by the owners; the Woodland Trust website
Groups: should obtain permission from the Woodland Trust. The Trust expects you to complete a risk assessment and to take care of the woodland.
Terrain: The extensive path network makes it suitable for beginners. The coniferous woodland is being removed and replaced by native Deciduous trees, so there can be quite a lot of brambles on cross-country routes. The area is split in two by the M1 is fairly flat but there are some small water features.
Score Course: the 45-minute course is where you choose your own route to find as many as you can in 45 minutes. (The British Schools Score Championship time limit).
Other courses: there are further courses starting in the centre (near the M1 bridge) and in the West of Ratby Woodlands on Burroughs Lane (Including a Blue course).
Safety: Do not walk on any Log piles left from forestry workings.
Groups: Group Leaders wanting to introduce Orienteering should download the Youth Leader Guide. This suggests a series of steps to introduce beginners to orienteering navigation. Ask the POC Coordinator for the latest Star/ Loop maps as these are not based on the current map. Also download the risk assessment aid, which will give you advice on hazards and the mitigation you should consider.
Missing Posts/Plaques: repaired March 2025
Map updated: Map Run: Winter 2019 but Race map and all Other courses are Winter 2025
Traditional Courses
|
Course (control descriptions) |
Controls /Length (km) |
Suitable for |
Estimated (mins) |
Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
White |
12 /2.0 |
Beginner children probably followed by parents |
10-25 |
Groby |
|
Yellow |
8 /1.8 |
A child with some experience |
15-40 |
Ratby |
|
Yellow |
10 /2.5 |
|
|
|
|
Orange |
12 /3.5 |
Adult beginner /confident junior |
25-50 |
Ratby |
|
Orange |
12 /3.2 |
Adult beginner /confident junior |
25-50 |
Groby |
|
Light Green |
16 /3.9 |
Confident Adult experienced Junior |
30-70 |
Ratby |
|
Light Green |
16/3.7 |
|
30-70 |
Groby |
|
Light Green (international pictorial symbols) |
16/3.7 |
30-70 |
Groby |
|
|
Green |
13 /3.7 |
Confident Adult experienced Junior Involved road crossings. |
40-80 |
Ratby |
|
Score |
20 |
Adult or children Some controls too hard for beginners |
45 |
Ratby |
|
Score |
20 |
Some controls too hard for beginners |
45 |
Groby and Ratby |
Lengths of courses shown are in straight lines between controls, and the estimate of times are for someone running to someone walking. Both will vary depending on your route choice and ability.
Feedback: Do let us know about any damaged or missing control points, please use our Feedback Form However our volunteers may not be able to remedy this quickly.
Currently suspended, if you would like to use any of these courses email Feedback form and we will reactivate the courses in a few days.
Alternatively, you can use the Maprun app. Maprun App Garmin watch owners may wish to use the sister app MaprunGor for Apple watches MaprunA,
Your phone (watch) beeps when you get close to the feature (a virtual control detected by your GPS signal). Upload your results to see your position on the leader board.
We suggest you download a MAPRUN map from here but you can just use the one on your smartphone.
| Courses |
Controls /Length (km) |
Suitable for |
Expected time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow |
9 /2.1 |
Beginner | 20-40 |
| Green |
15 /5.0 |
Experienced orienteer | 40-90 |
| Score |
25 / |
Some are too hard for beginners | 60 minutes, 20 points per control less 10 points per minute or part minute late. |
| Race Map |
A blank map for training under race conditions. Use after starting your course. You will need the "control descriptions" (below) also. |
||
| Control Descriptions | A list of the control sites for all the Maprun courses, for those using a smart phone only or with a Race map |
To use the Maprun app when in the car park, start the Maprun app.
Click 'Events near me' or click 'Select Event' and go to the UK/Leicestershire/Martinshaw folder to find the courses. Click the one you want. Click ‘go to Start’ when you are ready. When you get near the start your time begins once your phone beeps. Avoid going through the finish as you leave the start!
Beginners there are a couple of features to help you navigate: Before the start, the location and track are always shown. Once you pass the start the location and track disappear ... unless you have enabled 'show track' or 'show location'. These features can be enabled in 'Options and settings' before you start. For some courses, we had added a ‘show me’ feature. Where it's available there is a button on the screen but you can only use it a few times.
A number of orienteers have found 34 and the finish to be slow responding. As a guide to the finish location see the image of the Maprun finish.
Results: Results Enter a time period, Country = UK and County = Leicestershire