Jack's Wood

Wood, Forest in Somerset

England

Jack's Wood

View from Clapton Road, Midsomer Norton View across the valley of the Wellow Brook, taken looking south from Clapton Road in Midsomer Norton.
Old Mills Colliery tip is the distance. — View from Clapton Road, Midsomer Norton Credit: Kevin Pearson

Jack's Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Somerset, England. Situated just a few miles outside of the bustling town of Taunton, the wood is a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike.

Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, Jack's Wood is characterized by its dense foliage and diverse range of tree species. Oak, beech, and ash trees dominate the landscape, providing a rich habitat for various wildlife species. The wood is home to a plethora of birds, including woodpeckers, owls, and thrushes, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

The wood is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. These trails wind through the towering trees and lead to hidden clearings, where visitors can take a moment to appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty of the surroundings.

Jack's Wood also boasts a small pond, which serves as a watering hole for the woodland creatures. Visitors may catch a glimpse of frogs, newts, or even a family of ducks as they explore the water's edge.

Throughout the seasons, Jack's Wood offers a unique experience. In spring, the woodland floor comes alive with vibrant wildflowers, creating a colorful carpet of bluebells and primroses. Summer brings a lush green canopy overhead, providing shade for long walks on warm days. In autumn, the trees transform into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows, painting a stunning backdrop for a leisurely stroll. And in winter, the wood takes on a magical atmosphere, with frost-covered branches and a peaceful hush enveloping the area.

Overall, Jack's Wood is a true sanctuary of nature, providing visitors with an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether one seeks solitude, wildlife encounters, or simply a breath of fresh air, this woodland retreat offers something for everyone.

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Jack's Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.2821/-2.4978062 or Grid Reference ST6553. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View from Clapton Road, Midsomer Norton

View across the valley of the Wellow Brook, taken looking south from Clapton Road in Midsomer Norton. Old Mills Colliery tip is the distance.

Kevin Pearson

Langley's Lane near Clapton

Langley's Lane, which runs from the small village of Clapton to the A362 near Midsomer Norton, crossing the trackbed of the former Bristol & North Somerset Railway just past where the photograph was taken. The colliery heap of Old Mills Colliery is in the background.

Kevin Pearson

Restored station building, Midsomer Norton

Once on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway Link

between Bath and Bournemouth.

Jonathan Thacker

D2128 at Midsomer Norton

A re-engined Class O3 locomotive Link

Jonathan Thacker

Rail mounted vehicle at Midsomer Norton

Jonathan Thacker

The end of the platform, Midsomer Norton

A restored section of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway Link

Jonathan Thacker

Sentinel steam locomotive 7109

At Midsomer Norton. Built by the Sentinel Waggon Works in 1927 Link

Jonathan Thacker

Restored signal box at Midsomer Norton

Jonathan Thacker

The White Post Inn

The White Post Inn is on the A37 Fosse Way. This is the rear of the pub viewed from the B3139 , the minor road to Kilmersdon viewed across a field of standing wheat.

Nigel Mykura

Not volcanic

A coal spoil heap rises above the greenery. Midsomer Norton and Radstock were important coalmining areas from the late 18th century, and production gradually increased with time up to 1900. However, the complicated local geology and nationalisation eventually led to the closure of all mining in September 1973. The heap is actually a SSSI and contains some interesting fossils, including the world's earliest known damselfly!

Neil Owen

Bradford - Bournemouth express pounding through Midsomer Norton South station

View northward, towards Bath: ex-Somerset & Dorset (Midland & LSW Joint) line, Bath (Green Park) - Templecombe - Bournemouth West. It is a Summer Saturday and the heavy 07.40 from Bradford (Forster Square) has reversed at Bath (dep. 14.50) and is due at Bournemouth West at 17.35. It needs two large locomotives to tackle the heavy gradients, here the long climb from Radstock up to Masbury. SR rebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific No. 34048 'Crediton' (built 11/46 as 21C148, rebuilt 3/59, withdrawn 3/66) is piloting BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 No. 73019 (built 11/51, withdrawn 1/67). The station was closed with the line on 7/3/66, but the premises and a short length of track now belong to the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust. (See also ST6653 : Midsomer Norton South Station, with Down express).

Ben Brooksbank

Midsomer Norton South Station

This station was opened on 20 July 1874 as part of the Somerset & Dorset Railway's extension from Evercreech Junction to Bath. It closed in 1966 along with the rest of the line between Bath and Bournemouth. The Somerset & Dorset Heritage Trust was established in 1992, and has restored the Midsomer Norton South station. Future plans include relaying tracks to Chilcompton, the next station south, via the Chilcompton Tunnel.

Mike Smith

Midsomer Norton South Station

This station was opened on 20 July 1874 as part of the Somerset & Dorset Railway. It closed in 1966 along with the rest of the line between Bath and Bournemouth. The Somerset & Dorset Heritage Trust have restored the station and plan to relay tracks to Chilcompton, the next station south, and then begin passenger journeys. This view shows the tracks leading towards Chilcompton, which at present extend for about a quarter of a mile.

Mike Smith

Midsomer Norton South Station

The Somerset & Dorset Heritage Trust was established in 1992, and has restored the Midsomer Norton South station. Future plans include relaying tracks to Chilcompton, the next station south, via the Chilcompton Tunnel. This view shows the tracks, heading towards Chilcompton, which extend for a quarter of a mile.

Mike Smith

Midsomer Norton South Station

This station was opened on 20 July 1874, but closed in 1966 along with the rest of the line between Bath and Bournemouth. The Somerset & Dorset Heritage Trust was established in 1992, and has restored the Midsomer Norton South station. This high-level view of the station complex is taken from the hill at the back of the station.

Mike Smith

Missing Railway Bridge

There was a railway bridge here from 1874 to 1966 when the railway closed along with the adjacent Midsomer Norton South station. The station has been restored, but it is unlikely that the bridge will be reinstated. As can be seen, the old track on the other side of the road has been turned into a foot and cycle path. It continues into Radstock, which was the next station.

Mike Smith

The Street, Chilcompton

The older part of the village, tucked away off the main road, contains mainly pleasant old houses, together with later infill which varies in its sensitivity to the location.

HelenK

Waterfall and bus shelter, Chilcompton

The bus shelter is brightly painted inside, like some others in the village. The small waterfall is an attractive feature and attracts wildlife you might not often see in a village - a grey wagtail appeared shortly after this photo was taken.

HelenK

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Jack's Wood is located at Grid Ref: ST6553 (Lat: 51.2821, Lng: -2.4978062)

Unitary Authority: Bath and North East Somerset

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset