Big Wood

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Big Wood

Beach below Ham Common, Poole Harbour Credit: Phil Champion

Big Wood is a picturesque forest located in the county of Dorset, England. Covering an area of approximately 500 acres, this woodland is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. The wood is situated in close proximity to the village of Wood, hence its name.

Big Wood is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife. The forest is primarily composed of broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash. These towering trees create a dense canopy, providing shelter and creating a serene atmosphere within the wood. The forest floor is covered with a lush carpet of ferns, bluebells, and wildflowers, adding to its natural beauty.

The wood is crisscrossed with a network of walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its enchanting surroundings. These paths vary in difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and more experienced hikers. As visitors venture deeper into the forest, they may encounter hidden glades, babbling brooks, and even the occasional deer or fox.

Big Wood also offers a range of recreational activities. There are designated picnic areas and open spaces for families to enjoy a leisurely day out. Additionally, the wood is a popular spot for birdwatching, with a variety of bird species calling it home.

Overall, Big Wood in Dorset provides a tranquil and idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

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Big Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.697867/-2.0351753 or Grid Reference SY9788. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Beach below Ham Common, Poole Harbour

Phil Champion

Foreshore near Ham Common and Hamworthy Beach, Poole Harbour

Phil Champion

Hamworthy Beach and Lake Pier, Poole Harbour

Phil Champion

Lake Pier, Poole Harbour

Phil Champion

Lake Pier, Wareham Channel, Poole Harbour

Phil Champion

Foreshore east of Lake Pier, Poole Harbour

Looking towards RM Poole and beyond to the rooftops of houses and apartments at Moriconium Quay.

Phil Champion

Trainers and 7-Up - Lake Pier, Wareham Channel

Not sure what these are doing here or what happened to the owner.

Phil Champion

RAF Hamworthy - WW2 Pillbox (1)

- Pillbox (Type FW3/26): EDoB ID: e48119 A type 26 pillbox overlooking the waterway with a large embrasure in the front that was probably for a mounted heavy machine gun (HMG). This RAF Coastal Command base had in their fleet of flying boats Consolidated PBY Catalinas, and Short Sunderlands. The base was operational at Poole Harbour from 1939 - 1948, and was used also by the Royal Navy, the RAAF, and by BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation). Little remains today, and the land based area has become the scene of both commercial and military activity. SY9890 : RAF Hamworthy - WW2 Pillbox (2)

Mike Searle

RAF Hamworthy - WW2 Pillbox (2)

- Pillbox (Type FW3/26): EDoB ID: e48119 Side view with its single embrasure, with an identical arrangement on the opposite side. SY9890 : RAF Hamworthy - former WW2 control tower

Mike Searle

Motor Vessel Oklahoma (formerly MTB 453), Long Island, 1957

MV Oklahoma moored at Long Island in 1957. Formerly HMS MTB 453, she was built for wartime service for the Royal Navy as a fast motor torpedo boat by the British Power Boat Co. at Hythe, near Southampton in 1943. She subsequently took part with distinction in Operation Neptune, the code name for the naval phase of the Allied Invasion of Normandy. Almost 72 feet long (22 metres), she was powered by three 1250 H.P. Packard Engines giving 40 Knots max, 35 Knots continuous. Crewed by 2 officers and 12 ratings, her armament comprised a 6 pdr gun, twin 20 mm Oerlikons, two twin Vickers Gas Operated Guns, two Mk VII Depth Charges, and two 18" Torpedo Tubes. After the war, MTB 453 was sold off, probably one of the 127 former Royal Navy motor torpedo boats beached on the sands off Shipstal Point in 1945. Offered by the Director of Small Craft Disposals as suitable for conversion into 'floating homes', it was seen as one answer to the post-war housing problem, although most probably went for scrap in the end. On holiday on Long Island in 1957, guests of the owners of MV Oklahoma. Scanned from a tiny print taken with a Kodak Brownie 127, my first camera; sadly, the camera was subsequently swept overboard from the deck of "Oklahoma" by a gust of wind, ending up in the water.

Mike Searle