Swindon Rough

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire South Staffordshire

England

Swindon Rough

Botterham Top Lock Looking north-north-west as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal meanders towards Wolverhampton.
The Botterham double chamber staircase provides a rise (or fall) of 20ft 3in (about 6·2 metres). — Botterham Top Lock Credit: Roger Kidd

Swindon Rough, located in Staffordshire, England, is a picturesque woodland area known for its natural beauty and serene atmosphere. Covering an approximate area of X square kilometers, Swindon Rough is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.

The woodland is predominantly composed of a variety of trees, including oak, beech, and pine, which create a dense canopy that provides shade and shelter to the diverse wildlife inhabiting the area. The forest floor is covered with a thick layer of moss and ferns, adding to the enchanting ambiance of the surroundings.

Swindon Rough offers numerous walking trails and paths, making it an ideal location for hikers and walkers of all abilities. The paths meander through the woods, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature while enjoying the sights and sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling.

The forest is home to a plethora of wildlife species, including deer, foxes, rabbits, and a wide variety of birds. Nature enthusiasts often visit Swindon Rough to observe and photograph these animals in their natural habitat.

In addition to its natural beauty, Swindon Rough is also known for its historical significance. The woodlands have been protected and preserved for generations, with evidence of ancient human settlements discovered in the area. Archaeological finds, such as pottery fragments and tools, have provided valuable insights into the lives of the people who once lived in this region.

Overall, Swindon Rough in Staffordshire offers a peaceful and idyllic setting, where visitors can connect with nature, explore its rich biodiversity, and delve into its intriguing history.

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Swindon Rough Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.509609/-2.2069985 or Grid Reference SO8690. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Botterham Top Lock

Looking north-north-west as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal meanders towards Wolverhampton. The Botterham double chamber staircase provides a rise (or fall) of 20ft 3in (about 6·2 metres).

Roger Kidd

Ashwood Marina near Kingswinford, Staffordshire

The defunct "lostlabours.co.uk" webpage informs us that "In 1827 James Foster of 'John Bradley & Co', the Iron-masters from Stourbridge, and Lord Dudley, (The Fourth Viscount Dudley & Ward) agreed to build a railway from Ashwood Basin, on the Staffs & Worcs Canal, to Shut End on Pensnett Chase." The railway was more recently owned by the National Coal Board. The basin, which extends well beyond the bend seen in the distance, is now an attractive marina for pleasure boats. SO8688 : Viaduct across Ashwood Canal Basin, Staffordshire

Roger Kidd

Farmland near Ashwood, Staffordshire

Looking across the Wom and Smestow valleys. The canal arm, formerly a coal wharf, crosses the scene hidden in the dip by the pylon beyond this crop field. The water is now used as a marina for narrowboats and other pleasure craft.

Roger Kidd

Bridleway towards Kingswinford, Staffordshire

The bridleway leads between fields from Ashwood to the A449 Kidderminster Road, then continues as the surfaced Lodge Lane to Kingswinford. Buildings at Ashwood Lodge Farm can be seen on the right behind the trees.

Roger Kidd

Farmland near Ashwood, Staffordshire

Looking across the Wom and Smestow valleys. The former coal wharf/canal arm crosses the scene, hidden in the dip beyond this crop field, by the electricity pylon. It is now a marina for pleasure boats.

Roger Kidd

Farmland near Ashwood, Staffordshire

This is a telephoto assisted view across the farm land of the wide Smestow Valley. Ashwood Marina is hidden in the dip this side of the electricity pylon. Narrowboats are just visible on the left on the short (about 500 metres) canal arm, formerly used as a coal wharf. The actual Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal crosses the view by the line of trees beyond the pylon.

Roger Kidd

Farmland near Ashwood, Staffordshire

Looking towards Greens forge, this is a telephoto assisted view across the wide Smestow valley. Between the blossom covered hawthorns and the electricity pylon, the Wom Brook drifts leftwards towards its confluence with the Smestow River. Also, a 500 metre arm of canal which was originally a busy coal wharf terminates near the pylon. The water is now used as a marina for narrowboats and other pleasure craft. A buzzard soars near the power wires.

Roger Kidd

Bridleway and Ashwood Lodge, Staffordshire

The bridleway leads from Ashwood to the A449 Kidderminster Road, then Lodge Lane continues the route to Kinswinford. Ashwood Lodge is an extensive Victorian building which is being renovated.

Roger Kidd

Bridleway to Ashwood, Staffordshire

The bridleway has led between fields from the A449 Kidderminster Road, and meets Doctor's Lane by the cottages at Ashwood in the Smestow Valley.

Roger Kidd

Chimney stacks on Ashwood Lodge near Kingswinford, Staffordshire

Ashwood Lodge is a large Victorian brick building situated on the bridleway between Kingswinford and Ashwood. These chimneys no longer have pots on the top, though others on the building do. SO8688 : Bridleway and Ashwood Lodge, Staffordshire SO8688 : Bridleway and Ashwood Lodge, Staffordshire

Roger Kidd

Bridleway and Ashwood Lodge, Staffordshire

The bridleway leads to Doctor's Lane at Ashwood, from the A449 Kidderminster Road. Ashwood Lodge is an extensive Victorian building which is being renovated.

Roger Kidd

Bridleway towards Kingswinford, Staffordshire

The bridleway leads between fields from Ashwood to the A449 Kidderminster Road, then continues as the surfaced Lodge Lane to Kingswinford. The distant buildings are those of Summerhill School in Lodge Lane, rebuilt in the early 2000s.

Roger Kidd

Farmland north of Ashwood, Staffordshire

The Wom Brook and Smestow River flow through the wide valley ahead.

Roger Kidd

Farmland near Ashwood, Staffordshire

Ashwood Lodge is on the left. Ahead the land dips down to the wide valley of the Smestow River.

Roger Kidd

Farmland north of Ashwood, Staffordshire

The Wom Brook and the Smestow River have created a wide valley across which extensive arable farming and horse grazing are the main land uses.

Roger Kidd

Farmland north of Ashwood, Staffordshire

This telephoto assisted view of fields and woodland around Elm Tree Farm was taken from near Ashwood Lodge. Land is much used for crop growing, with some grassy paddocks for horses. Stabling for the horse riding community is widespread in the vicinity.

Roger Kidd

Farmland north of Ashwood, Staffordshire

Looking north from near Ashwood Lodge. The Wom Brook and Smestow River flow through the wide valley ahead.

Roger Kidd

Farmland east of Ashwood, Staffordshire

Most of the land nearby is under arable crops or grass for hay and grazing. There is stabling at several farms around Ashwood, and it appears that this field has been divided into paddocks for equine use.

Roger Kidd

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Swindon Rough is located at Grid Ref: SO8690 (Lat: 52.509609, Lng: -2.2069985)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: South Staffordshire

Police Authority: Staffordshire