Dark Wood

Wood, Forest in Gloucestershire Stroud

England

Dark Wood

Lake at Woodchester Park Credit: Helena Downton

Dark Wood is a picturesque forest located in Gloucestershire, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 hectares, this ancient woodland is renowned for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The forest is situated in the heart of the Forest of Dean, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Dark Wood is characterized by its dense canopy of mature trees, predominantly consisting of oak and beech. These towering trees create a dark and mysterious atmosphere, which gives the woodland its name. The forest floor is carpeted with a diverse range of flora, including bluebells, foxgloves, and wild garlic, providing a vibrant display of colors throughout the year.

The woodland is home to a wide variety of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Visitors may spot roe deer, badgers, foxes, and a rich array of bird species, including woodpeckers, tawny owls, and buzzards. The forest also supports a diverse range of insect life, including butterflies and dragonflies.

Dark Wood offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore its natural wonders. These paths wind through the forest, providing opportunities for peaceful strolls and wildlife observation. The forest is also popular among mountain bikers and horse riders, who can enjoy the network of trails that traverse the woodland.

Dark Wood is not only a sanctuary for wildlife but also a place of tranquility and natural beauty. Its ancient trees, vibrant flora, and diverse wildlife make it a cherished destination for nature lovers seeking a peaceful escape in the heart of Gloucestershire.

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Dark Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.720517/-2.249854 or Grid Reference SO8202. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lake at Woodchester Park

Helena Downton

Woodchester village

Looking directly west from the edge of Minchinhampton Common. The lower large field to the right is adjacent to the famous Woodchester Orpheus mosaic, part of possibly the biggest and most opulent Roman Villa in the UK. A replica of the mosaic is on display nearby at Prinknash Abbey. Villa May have been home to the governing family of this important area, with Cirencester only 14 miles away and Bath 27 miles.

Richard Haworth

Selsley Common from Rodborough

Taken from somewhat undulating Gastrells School playing fields looking due west. This ridge is very popular with paragliders, hang-gliders, gliders and model gliders, can get a bit busy up there!

Richard Haworth

The road from Bear Hill towards Little London

Road on very steep slope at the bottom of Rodborough Common

Angus Townley

Little London

Small hamlet just outside Kingscourt at the foot of Rodborough Common.

Angus Townley

South Woodchester (Glos) Dominican Priory Church

Roman Catholic - the monastic buildings now largely demolished.

ChurchCrawler

Views from Selsley Ridge

View of Selsley and Caincross

Nat Bocking

Dudbridge Cycle Track

Former Midland Railway line linking Nailsworth and Stonehouse now a cycle track. The bridge is where the B4066 climbs towards Selsley.

Peter Kwan

Selsley

The B4066 road rises through Selsley a bit too steeply for this cyclist. Randwick rises across the other side of the valley.

Peter Kwan

Parkmill Pond

Parkmill Pond is the last in the chain of man-made lakes in Woodchester Park.

Tamara Kwan

Kennel Pond

This is between Kennel Pond and Parkmill Pond looking towards Kennel Pond. These ponds are a chain of man-made ponds in Woodchester Park.

Tamara Kwan

Selsley. All Saints church

This church which was built in 1862, was copied from one in the Austrian Tyrol, the designer was G.F.Bodley.

Anonymous 4610

North Woodchester church

St Mary's Church in north Woodchester was consecrated in 1863. It replaced a previous church which was located on a different site in Woodchester, and was pulled down in the mid 1800s.

Sharon Loxton

Uneven ground on Selsley Common

The humpy, bumpy nature of the ground in this area of Selsey Common is because there was once a fairly large Cotswold stone (oolitic limestone) quarry here. The quarry was already disused by 1888, as indicated on maps of that date.

Sharon Loxton

Convent of Poor Clares, Woodchester

This convent of Franciscan nuns was established in 1860. Between 1862 and 1927 there was also an orphanage for girls on this site.

Sharon Loxton

Frogmarsh Mill

The mill was already in use by 1658 and continued producing cloth until mid 1800s. The buildings date from the 19th Century. The Woodchester area was ideal for cloth manufacture because of deep valleys and rapid streams in this part of the Cotswolds.

Sharon Loxton

Teasel Tower

Once part of Frogmarsh woollen mill, the teasel tower dates from the early 1600s. It has been converted into a private residence.

Sharon Loxton

Cows on Selsley Common

With so much land to roam on, these cows have chosen to find pasture perilously close to the B4066. Cattle grids placed a strategic locations prevent the cattle from straying from the commonland.

Sharon Loxton

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Dark Wood is located at Grid Ref: SO8202 (Lat: 51.720517, Lng: -2.249854)

Administrative County: Gloucestershire

District: Stroud

Police Authority: Gloucestershire