Logged Visits:

22nd Feb 2025  12:30  by ted

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

The poor trig is almost buried alive, located well below the top of the embankment. Perhaps a landslip has occurred. Thanks to the previous visitors for clearing the upper part of the pillar. Dug it out a little more but the FB is inaccessible. Sticky wet soil but at least the ditch crossing and vegetation are currently not too bad; secateurs not needed. Birstall is locally pronounced 'Mowacre' :)

Birstall Hill trig
Birstall Hill trig
Birstall Hill trig

17th Feb 2025  14:00  by Triggin’ Happy

Gridref: SK 57925 08806   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Unreachable but visible  Score: 1/10

Couldn’t have found this trig without the ‘what three words’ website - absolutely spot on, as usual. Thanks to ‘rodthemod’ and members of the Leicestershire Trig Points Facebook group, it has been briefly unearthed for fellow triggers to get a last spot of it before it becomes completely buried and lost forever. The trig has been marked with a pink rubber glove on a stick to make it easier to find however it is located the other side of a ditch in a horrible place that’s used for fly tipping, certainly not a place that you’d want to go alone.

Almost buried forever

16th Feb 2025  13:15  by Musicaleuph

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Damaged  Score: 2/10

10th Feb 2025  01:22  by Rodthemod

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

Nearly completely buried now Was able to access top after digging about 4" of mud off too The bank has been raised and trig is now almost completely buried Won't be long before completely vanished

Birstall hill
Birstall hill

19th Jul 2024  11:00  by Dubvine

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

Yehhhh no wonder I am the first person here in 2 years - only bagged to complete the Leicestershire trigs - stood at exact location but there was 10-15m of bramble wide and high covering the thing, no chance of getting to it let alone seeing it. Stopped at mowmacre playground round the corner which is well worth it as there is a giant slide and I mean giant slide!!

26th Nov 2022  08:44  by Trigger monster

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Took about half an hour to find. Firstly, stopped too soon heading north along Thurcaston Road, then just hunting walking up and down. From the Outer Ring Road, headed north west up Thurcaston Road. Continue past housing estate, signed as a dead end. Concrete blocks across the road after about 400 metres but navigable by bike. Pulled up after about another two hundred metres. Peering and walking up and down the length of the ditch on the west side of the road. Couldn’t work out from other photographs which side of the ditch to search, near or far side. Even crossed the ditch and climbed up the embankment on the west side thinking another ditch was on that side. Eventually spotted it. On the west side of the ditch behind the bushes hanging over the ditch. Well hidden. At the time there was a discarded yellow diversion road sign lying half in the water which was very near the pillar and provided a steppingstone across the water in the ditch. Bizarre situation but have to imagine how it came to be half buried. This was probably once a busy through road, before the industrial estate was built (presumably when the pillar was half buried) and without the vegetation, there must have been clear views. None at all now. Forgotten location but gives it some protection. The road should be renamed Flytippers Lane. Horrific, particularly just north of the housing estate. Was going to mark it down but challenge to locate and that it is hanging on in there hold the mark up.

Birstall Hill Flush plate
Birstall Hill East face of pillar, thankfully FB visible
Birstall Hill Looking north, industrial estate to west, ditch to right
Birstall Hill Arrow might help. Possibly easier in winter when trees are bare. Note lamppost on far side might also help

24th Apr 2022  13:23  by praenterprise

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

As eon below, parking at the concrete blocks, not a very pleasent area and didn't stay too long. Pleased when a police car arrived and I asked the officer to keep an eye on my car while I inspected the ditch, which he willingly did. Pillar took some finding among the prickly hedge, but after a while I spied it. Didn't try to cross the deep and sludgy ditch and fight my way through the undergrowth, but it's there.

©praenterprise
©praenterprise

20th Mar 2022  10:34  by eon

Gridref: SK 57922 08810   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

(2459) I had tried for this one last year, but came away empty handed then. Parked once again on Thurcaston Road/Mowmacre Hill, though the road is now blocked off with concrete blocks and other crap at the junction. Struggled to spot the pillar for a good while, but finally I could see it. Ditch full of water so that took some doing to safely cross. Three sides of the pillar are buried, but the all important FB side is nicely exposed still. Missing its centre cap, but overall it looks to be in good condition. I made my way back to my car via the strip of land between the bank and the fence. Easy as pie that way. Had I known beforehand, I'd have used this route from the off. But satisfying to finally cross this one of the list. Pillar history: Built on the 18th of November 1948, at a cost of £9 5s 0d. Last maintained by the OS in June of 1978.

Is that it...? ©eon
Pillar ©eon
FB S4884 ©eon
Top ©eon
Top - detail ©eon

21st Nov 2021  09:42  by Foxy

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

The higher I got on Mowmacre Hill the more I began to understand the comments recorded by others. It is quite a neglected and salubrious area. The hedges are significantly overgrown and used for flytipping. As you go uphill, the pillar is on the right sandwiched by an overgrown hedge and a security fence that separates it from an industrial area. It is difficult to know what condition the pillar is in due to half of it being within the embankment. What you can see generally appears to be in good condition but the centre cap for the spider is missing.

Spider ©Foxy
©Foxy
©Foxy
©Foxy
©Foxy

12th Nov 2021  13:54  by Catredgym

FB Number: S884  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 5/10

As previously described grotty area with a very strange sniff coming from the industrial unit behind. Dry ditch was now full of stinky water and other “ detritus” and poor trig is slowly getting swallowed up by the surrounding bank. Managed to get stung by nettles on my forehead when standing up it’s that overgrown. All in all a very unpleasant experience for my birthday!

FB
View from the other side of the hedge
The pillar

3rd Oct 2021  13:10  by itchy-trigger-finder

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Drove up from South on the dead-end road, the trig is on the left hand side (opposite side from the golf course). I was lucky that the verge side vegetation had recently been cut, meaning I could easily access and cross the dry ditch. Trig was very well hidden and I could only see the Trig when I stuck my head in the hedge. Glad I did this one without the family as it was a pretty grotty area with rubbish etc.....a real 'bush minger'.

©itchy-trigger-finder

©itchy-trigger-finder
©itchy-trigger-finder

9th Dec 2017  16:10  by descarte1

Gridref: SK 57924 08810   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Odd one this! Completely buried up to the top level on three sides. Didn't bother jumping down to the FB due to a massive human s**t there (with bog roll). Sketchy area to say the least. Cap missing.

21st Nov 2017  12:59  by Whats the Point

Gridref: SK 57917 08808   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

It's still here.Well I've been on some mad trigpointing days out but this has got to be near the top of the list. Trigpointing by bus pass. Three buses to get here and the same back- all to log a pillar in an industrial estate. The strange thing was that when I told CURRYSCRIM of this ridiculous plan he said he wanted to come with me and what's more he's brought THE CYCLIST along with him. Just getting a bit too much like 'The Last of the Summer Wine'. Pillar found behind the hedge partially buried. Thanks to Dave and Wilf for an interesting day out.

Birstall Hill

21st Nov 2017  12:54  by CURRYSCRIM

Gridref: SK 57924 08808   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

A grand day out! We crossed the ditch and up on to the bank. After chopping away some nettles, the top of the pillar was revealed which is level with the bank top. To read the flush bracket number meant dropping down off the pillar top, I think this might be a first. The pillar is well protected by the band and hopefully will stay this way. On leaving the pillar, we walked along the top and out on to the road at the far end. For future visitors, doing this in reverse would avoid the ditch and brambles. Thanks to What's the Point for organising bus times etc. for a most unusual trig trip.

Looking down on the trig top
What's the Point at work

11th Nov 2016  10:09  by Garth Fenton

Gridref: SK 57923 08817   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

Following the instructions from previous visits; I parked in a layby just after the two bends, a walk up the road reveled nothing, so from the lay by its possible to gain the ground behind the road where site preperation was in progress. After a chat to the digger operator, who told be the 'bund' had been added to this week I was not hopefull, however I found the top nearly covered in earth, the front is clear but i was reluctant to venture into the brambles, after logging the 'top' I had another chat and found out that the bund will be removed in due course so the pillar may be reveled once again

15th Mar 2016  11:17  by vegibagger

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

half way down a bank and behind hawthorn and grateful that I had wellies to ford the ditch before pushing through to access it. fb facing to road and hedge

31st Dec 2015  07:50  by Pritch227

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

well its still there,had to jump the ditch but no problems,pillar is way down the bank,totally overgrown unpleasant area,top cap missing but otherwise ok

©Pritch227
©Pritch227

23rd Oct 2014  08:10  by THE CYCLIST

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Having seen a query on the survival of this pillar on the forum, I decided that a re-visit to check on it would be the destination for the day's cycle ride. Having lunched in the café in Abbey Park, I approached up the hill from near the Great Central Railway's Leicester North Station. The pillar is just the other side of the hedge, reasonably in view with the FB facing and visible. However, there is a recently constructed bank, higher than the pillar, and partly enveloping it.Sited as map, beyond sharp right bend and bank across lane end on left before factory.There is a deep ditch between road and hedge, but no standing water in it today.

13th Dec 2013  09:50  by slateloose

Gridref: SK 57925 08806   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Well its still there hiding behind the hedge.Had to crawl through hole in hedge,the land is being used to tip top soil at the moment.so Returned across site to track to the south and out to the lane.

22nd May 2013  17:30  by RichardL

Gridref: SK 57925 08812   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

No gypsies nearby anymore (they seem to have moved a few hundred yards away onto the side of the main road) but the surrounding area is being developed for industrial units. This trig's time may be nearly up - at the moment it's still neatly ensconced in the hedge, but that may not last. Bag it while it's still there!

27th Dec 2012  00:00  by caroleengel

Gridref: SK 57926 08812   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Look for metal screen in hedgerow - pillar is 7 paces to south of this, thru' the hedge.

1st Oct 2012  14:26  by Griefmiester

Gridref: SK 57927 08805   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

yep - crap location - Pillar is lost in the hedge and is in good condition - no views.

Pillar & FB
GPS Data

15th Jul 2012  11:00  by Mickandkim

Gridref: SK 57925 08806   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 2/10

Took an hour to find it! brambles over 25m thick. 21m south of old sign post

12th May 2012  17:00  by MarkA

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

first nice day for a while, kevP says easy trig on way back from GC Railway. It seems nature woke up and thickened up the hedge !

12th May 2012  16:59  by KevP

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

A revisit to show MarkA the nearest (surviving) trig to where I live. Much easier to spot in winter. Not spotted on two drive pasts but when parked up easy to spot on foot. Will try and revisit with a spade to dig away the encroaching earth.

4th Nov 2011  12:30  by Bourne

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

Parked up and pushed my way into the hedge to bag it. Passed the gypsy camp on the way and the lady thought the old fashioned qypsy carvan looked nice.

25th Mar 2011  18:10  by pjr

Gridref: SK 57921 08813   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Visited this Trigpoint after a lovely walk around Anstey and Bradgate Park.Sun going down after a beautiful when we reached location.A gypsy camp is now 50yds from trigpoint. We reluctantly left car on lane along side trig.Up lane through edge back down to half buried trig.Wasted no time ,Photo ,Grid ref ,impossible to record flush brkt no.My wife thought the old fashioned Gypsey Caravan cute ,i was glad to be heading for M1 north with all wheels on

2nd Feb 2011  11:25  by trig-man

Gridref: SK 57925 08812   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

17th Jan 2010  20:41  by KevP

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Nearest trig to where I live. Easy to find, just pushed through gap under hedge.

13th Dec 2009  13:00  by ocean soul

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Pillar in hedge between road and factory.Unremarkable location.

28th Dec 2008  12:00  by Dart More

Gridref: SK 57925 08812   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 2/10

Near to where I lived as a lad. Ran past this thousands of times without realising that it was there. Easy to squeeze through the hedge at this time of year - if you're slim! Accompanied by Sambo, but Erme Harrier had run on too fast and missed it! Locals would call this Mowmacre Hill, not Birstall Hill.

25th Nov 2007  11:47  by THE CYCLIST

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Not easily visible or accessible from the nearest lane. Accessed from near junction with road to industrial estate. There didn't seem to be anyone at the nearby caravan encampment on arrival, but a crowd of urchins had appeared by the time I was returning to my (locked) bike. I tried to be friendly and explain what I was doing, but felt lucky to leave safely with all my possessions!

28th Sep 2007  16:10  by asbown

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

was back in leicester and just could not resist as this 1 annoyed me last time, took the lad to help and we got there in the end, part buried in the bank and well covered but cleared the top as best as possible, no views.

7th May 2007  16:00  by RoPeHe

Gridref: SK 57926 08807   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 2/10

Pillar in good condition, except for Plug replaced by plastic insert. Partly buried by earth bank, but top of pillar clear, and FB is still accessible. Not the easy roadside trig that it might look on the map - just visible through the hedge from the road, but now very difficult of access - a (rabbit proof) fence has just been built on the field side of the earth bank, so access is only by scrambling along the bank from either c. 100m to North or c. 100m to South.

14th Jan 2006  13:17  by Glaslyn

Gridref: SK 57920 08800   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Grotty place with remains of burnt out cars,access only from S via Mowmacre Hill.Possible in winter to push through hedge.

©Glaslyn
©Glaslyn

16th Jun 2005  18:00  by Father Ted

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 3/10

Having read the previous comments I thought I would make a visit to this one in case it dissapeared soon. There is no work ongoing and the cleared land has turned into a nice medow for the time being. The pillar was pretty hard to get to at this time of year with the high undergrowth. I tried approaching from the lane but then went around to the field and climbed the bank instead.

25th Apr 2005  18:52  by rhayader_wanderer

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

Didnt realise the white road would have public access so parked up and walked acros the recreation field to meet it. Then made the mistake of folloing to the wrong side of the hedge and had to fight through on gps bearing to find a largely overgrown trig. Learning my lesson I returnd along the field side of the hedge back to the car

12th Mar 2005  10:28  by discjirm

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

Hard to find in hedge off a fairly grotty lane. Large development works nearby.

2nd Jan 2005  12:08  by Hillhappy1

Gridref: SK 57921 08809   FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 2/10

In the hedge but the land behind Trig has been banked up against it. I think this is in preperation for building work as a retail park is springing up all around it! Think this pillar will disappear soon! Easily seen from road, flush bracket faces road. Can confirm plug missing.

Behind the bank The pillar hiding behind the bank

9th Jul 2004  15:00  by stikman

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Couldn't find it  Score: 4/10

I cycled there a few days ago, since it's the nearest to me, but couldn't see it through the hedge, so today i went back with shears to try and cut through the brambles and get into the field. Search as i might, i can't find it. I doubt it's been removed since mickandshane visited, there's no sign of works yet. But in any case, it's hard to find!

29th Feb 2004  12:15  by mickandshane

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 4/10

At the side of the road but inside the field. This area looks as though it will be developed very soon, so the trig might not be there much longer. Plug missing.

23rd Nov 2003  12:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

vgc; no cap or plug; in field W of road between hedge & earth bank, just S of manhole cover; pillar part buried but FB clear

27th Sep 1986  00:00  by RogerTempleman

FB Number: S4884  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

White-ish pillar beside slope which separates two fields, one newly ploughed, the other with long grass on Mowmacre Hill.