Park Wood

Wood, Forest in Gloucestershire Forest of Dean

England

Park Wood

Oxenhall Canal Tunnel Southern Portal, 1979 A photograph taken in what looks to be fairly wintry conditions sometime in 1978/79.

It was in a pretty sorry state back then; work was undertaken to renovate it in the 90s (see David Stowell&#039;s picture here: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3682" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3682">Link</a> ) but it has, sadly, since fallen back into disrepair (John Winder&#039;s picture of 2011: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://m.geograph.org.uk/photo/5997716" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://m.geograph.org.uk/photo/5997716">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) — Oxenhall Canal Tunnel Southern Portal, 1979 Credit: Bill Blair

Park Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Gloucestershire in England. Spread over an area of approximately 50 acres, it is nestled within the beautiful Forest of Dean. The wood is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers.

The wood is predominantly covered with a mixture of broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and birch, creating a lush green canopy that provides shade during the summer months. Walking through the wood, visitors can admire the carpet of bluebells that bloom in spring, adding a splash of vibrant color to the landscape.

Park Wood is also home to a variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot a range of species, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tawny owls. Squirrels are a common sight, as they scamper through the trees, gathering food for the winter months.

There are several well-maintained paths and trails that wind their way through the wood, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its natural beauty. These paths are suitable for all ages and abilities, making Park Wood an ideal location for a family day out.

The wood is open to the public all year round and is managed by the local forestry commission. Facilities such as picnic areas and parking are available, ensuring visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

In summary, Park Wood in Gloucestershire is a stunning woodland that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. With its magnificent trees, vibrant flora, and diverse wildlife, it is a haven for nature lovers and a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Forest of Dean.

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Park Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.949211/-2.4518519 or Grid Reference SO6927. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Oxenhall Canal Tunnel Southern Portal, 1979

A photograph taken in what looks to be fairly wintry conditions sometime in 1978/79. It was in a pretty sorry state back then; work was undertaken to renovate it in the 90s (see David Stowell's picture here: Link ) but it has, sadly, since fallen back into disrepair (John Winder's picture of 2011: Link

)

Bill Blair

Old tractor

A rusty blue tractor on the edge of a field.

Pebble

Holder's Farm and sheep field

Holder's Farm, seen from the footpath through a sheep field.

Pebble

Abandoned barn

A seemingly abandoned, rusty barn in a field near the M50.

Pebble

Mixed hedges and trees at Hillend Green

The junction at Hillend Green; the hedges have been trimmed at different times, giving a contrast between the two sides of the road.

David Smith

Maize field

Julian P Guffogg

Track to Waterdynes

Julian P Guffogg

Former railway bridge near Oxenhall

This bridge carries a minor road over the old Gloucester - Ledbury railway, which opened in 1885 and closed to passengers in 1959 (although the Dymock to Gloucester section remained in use by freight traffic until 1964). I didn't get a chance to get onto the trackbed to photograph the bridge itself so this shot of the side walls will have to do!

John Winder

Course of old railway at Oxenhall

Taken from the old overbridge on the road between Dymock and Oxenhall. Much of this railway was constructed on the route of the old Gloucester - Hereford canal. However, the part pictured here was constructed by the GWR on a new alignment in order to avoid the canal tunnel at Oxenhall, which had been built down to a price and was falling to bits almost before it opened.

John Winder

Holder's Farm on its hill

Paddocks in the foreground in this early spring scene.

Jonathan Billinger

Misty view of May Hill

Looking south from Whitehouse Lane over rolling countryside, opposite the entrance to Peter's Farm.

Jonathan Billinger

May Hill, Easter Monday morning

For another view from Whitehouse Lane see SO7026 : Misty view of May Hill.

Jonathan Billinger

Dairy pasture

View south of Hawthorne Hill with May Hill in the distance.

Jonathan Billinger

View towards May Hill

May Hill with its clump of trees is a landmark seen from over a great area. It is on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean and is well wooded.

Richard Webb

Oxenhall canal tunnel: southern portal

Oxenhall Tunnel was completed in 1798, but the canal it was built for was out competed by the railways from an early point in its history and never really made any money. Construction cost far more than predicted during the first phase of construction which saw the canal open only as far as Ledbury which remained the terminus of the canal for forty years. The canal eventually opened as far as Hereford in 1845, but had cost well over three times the original estimate and the canal company began almost immediately to try and sell the canal to a railway company. In 1862 the canal was leased to the Great Western Railway and in 1881, they closed the southern half of the canal and converted much of it to the Gloucester - Ledbury line. The tunnel pictured here was never used by rail traffic, the GWR sensibly deciding to bypass it altogether and avoid the problems of enlarging it for railway use. An interesting footnote is that the canal company received rent for the route from the GWR which was distributed to shareholders as dividends; this arrangement continued until the nationalisation of the railways in 1948. There's an active restoration scheme for the canal. David Stowell's SO7027 : Oxenhall Tunnel shows the same scene in 1997, just after extensive work by the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust. Sadly, this stretch of canal is not in their ownership and the canal has become very overgrown in the 14 years between his photo and mine.

John Winder

Holders Lane - Hillend Green, Gloucestershire

A view on Holders Lane in the scattered village of Hillend Green in Gloucestershire. It lies to the north of Newent SO 7225 and east of the M50 (M - Motorway). Time photo taken not available.

Martin Richard Phelan