Brand Oak Coppice

Wood, Forest in Herefordshire

England

Brand Oak Coppice

M50 westbound at Bromsberrow Heath Credit: Colin Pyle

Brand Oak Coppice is a picturesque woodland located in Herefordshire, England. Spanning over several acres, this ancient forest is renowned for its dense growth of oak trees, which have stood tall for centuries. The copse is situated in a rural area, surrounded by rolling hills and meandering streams, adding to its natural beauty and tranquility.

The oak trees in Brand Oak Coppice are of various sizes and ages, with some reaching heights of over 30 meters. Their gnarled and twisted branches create a captivating canopy that filters sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The woodland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including bluebells, foxgloves, and ferns, which thrive in the shade provided by the towering oaks.

The forest floor is covered in a thick layer of leaf litter and moss, creating a soft carpet underfoot. This rich organic material supports a variety of small mammals, such as squirrels and voles, as well as numerous bird species, including woodpeckers and owls. Additionally, the copse provides a habitat for insects, including butterflies and beetles, which play a crucial role in the forest's ecosystem.

Brand Oak Coppice is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can explore the woodland through a network of well-maintained trails, allowing them to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the natural world. Whether it's a leisurely walk, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the serenity of the forest, Brand Oak Coppice offers a truly enchanting experience for all who venture within its boundaries.

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Brand Oak Coppice Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.004941/-2.4060877 or Grid Reference SO7234. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

M50 westbound at Bromsberrow Heath

Colin Pyle

Clencher's Mill

Taken on a visit during the National Mills Weekend. An 18th century timber framed mill with an iron overshot waterwheel dating back to 1820. The waterwheel is accessed from the open doorway. When, in the 1920s, the water supply via the leet was cut off the mill was driven from an engine in the building on the left with a drive shaft passing overhead.

Bob Embleton

Clencher's Mill

Taken on a visit during the National Mills Weekend. An 18th century timber framed mill with an iron overshot waterwheel dating back to 1820. When, in the 1920s, the water supply via the leet was cut off the mill was driven from an engine in the building on the right with a drive shaft passing overhead.

Bob Embleton

Outbuildings, Clencher's Mill

I was told these were pigsties. The front wall is two bricks 18" deep. The left end wall is modern breeze block so the building may have been shortened.

Bob Embleton

The mill stones, Clencher's Mill

Taken on a visit during the National Mills Weekend. An 18th century timber framed mill with an iron overshot waterwheel dating back to the 1820. The corn for grinding was shaken from the wooden hopper into the centre of the top stone. The string disappearing through a hole to the floor below controlled the feed of corn to the mill - when a bag of milled flour was full the miller pulled the string and the corn stopped flowing. The metal lever on the wall on the left of the picture controlled the water flow over the wheel, housed beyond the brick wall. The horizontal shaft with the leather belt must be a 1920s addition when the water supply to the leet was cut off and the mill was powered from an engine in an adjacent building.

Bob Embleton

Clenchers Mill

This is the watermill for Eastnor Castle and was open for National Mills Weekend. There is an overshot wheel and a single pair of stones.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill, near Eastnor

The estate watermill for Eastnor Castle and shortly to be restored to working order. This is the overshot water wheel. The wooden penstock is at the top. The railing is obviously more modern.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill, near Eastnor

This is the gear room of this 18th century timber framed watermill. The wheel is of 1820. The pit wheel is at the back and the wallow is out of mesh on the beam carrying the footstep bearing for the main shaft. There is one surviving set of stones driven to the right. The stones on the left are missing but sufficient remains to show there must have been a pair here. The vertical centre boarding is curved to clear the great spur wheel.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill

This shows the pit wheel, great spur wheel and single surviving stone nut. The jacking ring has been used to take the stone nut out of engagement. The axle of the wheel can be seen to be metal. This watermill was open for National Mills Weekend.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill - stone floor

The single surviving pair of stones and a crusher for animal feed are on the right. The lever on the wall on the left opens the penstock for the overshot waterwheel. The crownwheel is just left of centre and operates one shaft for the sack hoist and one for other auxiliaries.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill, sack hoist mechanism

This roller on an arm is pulled onto the sack hoist belt (vertical belt left of centre) to tighten it and engage the sack hoist and pulled off to release it. There are two cords to operate it. I have never seen one like it before. This watermill was open for National Mills Weekend.

Chris Allen

Clenchers Mill near Eastnor

The leat is on the right with the by-pass sluice in the foreground. The mill is beyond and the wheel is under the slate roof that is catching the light. The leat is currently dry but restoration is anticipated within three years.

Chris Allen

Ford on the minor road from Eastnor to Bromsberrow

Chris Allen

Field of wheat

A field of wheat opposite Highbridge Farm beside the B4216 to the south of Ledbury.

Philip Halling

Country road at Donnington

Country road near Donnington Court Farm and Donnington church.

Philip Halling

Field near Little Woolpits

Julian P Guffogg

Dingwood Park Farm and Oast

Circular Oast kiln with tiled roof. Dingwood deerpark, south of Ledbury, was owned by the bishops of Hereford in the 13th century; there are several documentary references to it. It was bought by Francis Hall of the New House in Ledbury (now Ledbury Park), and was transferred to the Biddulphs when they bought the Halls' estates c. 1680. The present house at Dingwood may have been built in the late 17th century. It became a farmhouse in the 18th century, and the 1831 OS 1" map shows it as Dingwood Park Farm. On Bowen's 1775 county map it is The Park, while Bryant's county map of 1835 has no park but names the main road N of Dingwood 'Parkway', as does the tithe map.

Julian P Guffogg