Harold's Brake

Wood, Forest in Gloucestershire Stroud

England

Harold's Brake

Michael Wood Services M5 at night
Michael Wood Services M5 at night Credit: Roy Hughes

Harold's Brake is a small woodland area situated in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It is located within the larger Forest of Dean, an ancient woodland that spans over 110 square kilometers. Harold's Brake is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, attracting visitors from near and far.

Covering an area of around 2 hectares, Harold's Brake is predominantly composed of deciduous trees such as oak, beech, and ash. The woodland floor is adorned with a diverse range of flora, including bluebells, primroses, and ferns, creating a vibrant and picturesque setting throughout the year.

The woodland is intersected by a network of well-maintained footpaths, allowing visitors to explore the area at their leisure. These paths wind through the trees, leading to small clearings and viewpoints that offer stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, one may encounter a variety of wildlife, including deer, badgers, and a multitude of bird species.

Harold's Brake is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for walking, hiking, and nature photography. It also provides a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude and a chance to connect with nature. The local community actively preserves the woodland, ensuring its protection and sustainability for future generations.

Overall, Harold's Brake in Gloucestershire is a charming and enchanting wood, nestled within the Forest of Dean. Its natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and peaceful ambiance make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a respite from the outside world.

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Harold's Brake Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.659082/-2.4118198 or Grid Reference ST7195. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Michael Wood Services M5 at night
Michael Wood Services M5 at night
Service station at Michael Wood on the M5 Motorway at night
Service station at Michael Wood on the M5 Motorway at night
Michael Wood Services on the M5 Motorway at night
Michael Wood Services on the M5 Motorway at night
Southbound M5, Access to Michaelwood Services The M5 runs 163 miles from a junction with the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Constructed between 1962 & 1977. It links the North and Midlands with the South west. <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_motorway" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M5_motorway">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>
Southbound M5, Access to Michaelwood Services
The M5 runs 163 miles from a junction with the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Constructed between 1962 & 1977. It links the North and Midlands with the South west. LinkExternal link
West towards the lorry park in Michaelwood Services Northbound Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
West towards the lorry park in Michaelwood Services Northbound
Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
Notice on a car park lamppost in Michaelwood Services Northbound In July 2022 the notice shows "2 Hours Free Parking" and lists the charges payable for vehicles parking here for more than two hours. Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
Notice on a car park lamppost in Michaelwood Services Northbound
In July 2022 the notice shows "2 Hours Free Parking" and lists the charges payable for vehicles parking here for more than two hours. Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
Towards the main buildings in Michaelwood Services Northbound In the background in July 2022 are M&S Food on the left and Waitrose in the middle. Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
Towards the main buildings in Michaelwood Services Northbound
In the background in July 2022 are M&S Food on the left and Waitrose in the middle. Michaelwood Services are alongside the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire.
M5 Service View The view of Michaelwood services on M5 motorway.
M5 Service View
The view of Michaelwood services on M5 motorway.
Damery Lane crosses the M5 motorway Michael Wood services is very close by.
Damery Lane crosses the M5 motorway
Michael Wood services is very close by.
Welcome to Gloucestershire A friendly sign on the northbound M5, a few hundred yards south of Michaelwood Services.
Welcome to Gloucestershire
A friendly sign on the northbound M5, a few hundred yards south of Michaelwood Services.
M5 Motorway - sign & bridge south of Michaelwood Services Starbucks and KFC. Yummy!
M5 Motorway - sign & bridge south of Michaelwood Services
Starbucks and KFC. Yummy!
M5 Michaelwood Services - northbound entrance slip road
M5 Michaelwood Services - northbound entrance slip road
Rural Intersection The junction of Swanley Lane with Haycroft Lane. As is common in such rural backwaters, there are no signposts.
Rural Intersection
The junction of Swanley Lane with Haycroft Lane. As is common in such rural backwaters, there are no signposts.
Michael Wood Services The car park on the motorway services at Michael Wood on the M5. Not many visitors at this time of the morning - 6.30 a.m.
Michael Wood Services
The car park on the motorway services at Michael Wood on the M5. Not many visitors at this time of the morning - 6.30 a.m.
Pickwick Junction The service road from Michael Wood motorway services (southbound) emerges from the left, onto the lane which runs past Pickwick's pub and then under the M5 bridge seen here.
Pickwick Junction
The service road from Michael Wood motorway services (southbound) emerges from the left, onto the lane which runs past Pickwick's pub and then under the M5 bridge seen here.
Lower Wick Footpath Adjacent to Lower Wick Farm is this entry to the footpath leading across the field to join Haycroft Lane a little further west.
Lower Wick Footpath
Adjacent to Lower Wick Farm is this entry to the footpath leading across the field to join Haycroft Lane a little further west.
Damery Woodpeckers This lane at Damery leads down to the Little Avon river, but appears to be the drive to a private house.
Damery Woodpeckers
This lane at Damery leads down to the Little Avon river, but appears to be the drive to a private house.
Keeper's Lodge at Damery This house is well concealed behind neat hedges. It borders on Michael's Wood, a private estate, from which the M5 motorway services derives its name.
Keeper's Lodge at Damery
This house is well concealed behind neat hedges. It borders on Michael's Wood, a private estate, from which the M5 motorway services derives its name.
Show me another place!

Harold's Brake is located at Grid Ref: ST7195 (Lat: 51.659082, Lng: -2.4118198)

Administrative County: Gloucestershire

District: Stroud

Police Authority: Gloucestershire

What 3 Words

///mailer.results.fools. Near Charfield, Gloucestershire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.659082,-2.4118198
Middlewick Farm
Landuse: farm
Note Retag: CS #48756035
Source: OS OpenData StreetView
Lat/Long: 51.6635055/-2.4118404
Michaelwood Farm
Landuse: farm
Note Retag: CS #48756035
Source: OS OpenData StreetView
Lat/Long: 51.6600854/-2.4180631
Michaelwood Airstrip
Aeroway: airstrip
Lat/Long: 51.6564106/-2.4096879
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.6588917/-2.4179538
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.6595431/-2.4188375
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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