Bonsall Wood

Wood, Forest in Derbyshire Derbyshire Dales

England

Bonsall Wood

The A5012 Winding up through the wooded valley near Via Gellia.
The A5012 Credit: David Lally

Bonsall Wood is a picturesque forest located in Bonsall, a village in the Derbyshire Dales district of Derbyshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 70 hectares, this ancient woodland holds a significant place in the local community and attracts visitors from near and far.

The wood is predominantly made up of oak trees, with a rich understory of hazel, holly, and hawthorn. It is densely populated with a variety of wildlife, including badgers, foxes, and an array of bird species such as woodpeckers and tawny owls. The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of bluebells and wild garlic during the spring months, creating a stunning natural spectacle.

Bonsall Wood offers a tranquil and serene atmosphere, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and wildlife photographers. The well-maintained trails wind through the forest, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. Along the way, visitors may come across babbling brooks, small waterfalls, and charming bridges that add to the woodland's enchantment.

The wood has a rich historical significance, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Iron Age. Remnants of ancient earthworks and burial mounds can still be found within the forest, reminding visitors of its long-standing connection with the local community.

In addition to its natural and historical attractions, Bonsall Wood also serves as an educational resource. The forest provides an excellent opportunity for schools and organizations to teach children about the importance of conservation and the diverse ecosystem found within woodlands.

Overall, Bonsall Wood is a hidden gem in Derbyshire, offering a peaceful retreat and a chance to reconnect with nature in a beautiful and historic setting.

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Bonsall Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.110118/-1.5945895 or Grid Reference SK2757. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The A5012 Winding up through the wooded valley near Via Gellia.
The A5012
Winding up through the wooded valley near Via Gellia.
B5035 at Middleton As seen from the High Peak Trail. Part of the village can be seen as well as the Derwent valley in the distance.
B5035 at Middleton
As seen from the High Peak Trail. Part of the village can be seen as well as the Derwent valley in the distance.
Cattle at Middleton Top Looking upwards on Middleton Moor.
Cattle at Middleton Top
Looking upwards on Middleton Moor.
Redhill Quarry A former quarry which is now a nature reserve and a picnic site.
Redhill Quarry
A former quarry which is now a nature reserve and a picnic site.
Nelson Arms and The Green in Middleton Alport Height in the far distance.
Nelson Arms and The Green in Middleton
Alport Height in the far distance.
The back of Via Gellia mill. Footpath alongside the mill pond.
The back of Via Gellia mill.
Footpath alongside the mill pond.
Country lane near Ember Farm The lane that leads down to Bonsall.
Country lane near Ember Farm
The lane that leads down to Bonsall.
The Middleton Incline The incline is just about to pass over the B5035 Rise End Lane as we get close to the top.
The Middleton Incline
The incline is just about to pass over the B5035 Rise End Lane as we get close to the top.
The Middleton Incline Now near the top of the incline.
The Middleton Incline
Now near the top of the incline.
Middleton Top We can now see the engine house at Middleton Top. This has been restored and is steamed quite regularly, but has no doubt been steamed less during the COVID epidemic. The sky is gray and it is raining lightly which is rather different from the weather forecast.
Middleton Top
We can now see the engine house at Middleton Top. This has been restored and is steamed quite regularly, but has no doubt been steamed less during the COVID epidemic. The sky is gray and it is raining lightly which is rather different from the weather forecast.
Dove Gang mines from Black Rocks Evening sunlight well shows up the waste heaps and shaft hollows of these once famous mines which were very rich but heavily watered. Worked from the 1600s or before, they were the target of Cornelius Vermuyden's Cromford Sough, which was driven from the market square in Cromford, via a sinuous course, to unwater these mines. It is thought that this sough was the premier location where gunpowder was first used for blasting in the Peak. The area around the mines is now a nature reserve and the shafts have been capped for safety. The sough "tail" is still visible behind houses in Cromford in the locally known "Bear Pit". Sir Richard Arkwright used its waters, in part, to power his historic cotton mills.
Dove Gang mines from Black Rocks
Evening sunlight well shows up the waste heaps and shaft hollows of these once famous mines which were very rich but heavily watered. Worked from the 1600s or before, they were the target of Cornelius Vermuyden's Cromford Sough, which was driven from the market square in Cromford, via a sinuous course, to unwater these mines. It is thought that this sough was the premier location where gunpowder was first used for blasting in the Peak. The area around the mines is now a nature reserve and the shafts have been capped for safety. The sough "tail" is still visible behind houses in Cromford in the locally known "Bear Pit". Sir Richard Arkwright used its waters, in part, to power his historic cotton mills.
Upper mill pond at Cromford
Upper mill pond at Cromford
The sale in progress The farming equipment up for auction at Whitelows farm.
The sale in progress
The farming equipment up for auction at Whitelows farm.
Dene Quarry, Cromford A limestone quarry since 1942 - looking towards Riber Castle that towers above Matlock and is a well-known local landmark.
Dene Quarry, Cromford
A limestone quarry since 1942 - looking towards Riber Castle that towers above Matlock and is a well-known local landmark.
Limestone barn above Dene Quarry In farmland to the west of the quarry.
Limestone barn above Dene Quarry
In farmland to the west of the quarry.
Dene Quarry, Cromford Hill A productive limestone quarry since 1942.
Dene Quarry, Cromford Hill
A productive limestone quarry since 1942.
Climbing out of Dene Quarry On a designated public path
Climbing out of Dene Quarry
On a designated public path
Cottages on Clatterway south of Bonsall
Cottages on Clatterway south of Bonsall
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Bonsall Wood is located at Grid Ref: SK2757 (Lat: 53.110118, Lng: -1.5945895)

Administrative County: Derbyshire

District: Derbyshire Dales

Police Authority: Derbyshire

What 3 Words

///shielding.presented.tight. Near Cromford, Derbyshire

Nearby Locations

Slaley Bonsall Wood

Related Wikis

Slaley, Derbyshire

Slaley is a hamlet in the civil parish of Bonsall, in the Derbyshire Dales district, in the county of Derbyshire, England. The hamlet is located to the...

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Middleton or Middleton-by-Wirksworth is an upland village and civil parish lying approximately one mile NNW of Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England. Middleton...

St James the Apostle's Church, Bonsall

St James the Apostle's Church, Bonsall is a Grade II* listed parish church in the Church of England: 101  in Bonsall, Derbyshire. == History == The church...

Bonsall, Derbyshire

Bonsall is a village and civil parish in the Derbyshire Dales on the edge of the Peak District. The civil parish population, including Brightgate and Horse...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.110118,-1.5945895
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 53.1135242/-1.5992138
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 53.1135391/-1.5986123
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Source: survey;bing;gps
Stile: squeezer
Lat/Long: 53.113774/-1.5978257
Slaley
Alt Name: Slayley
Place: hamlet
Source Alt Name: Roadsign to NW
Wikidata: Q104708256
Lat/Long: 53.1133768/-1.5935432
Post Box
Brand: Royal Mail
Brand Wikidata: Q638098
Brand Wikipedia: en:Royal Mail
Operator: Royal Mail
Operator Wikidata: Q638098
Ref: DE4 938
Lat/Long: 53.1140574/-1.5920619
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Source: survey;bing;gps
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 53.1141716/-1.5970253
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Source: survey;bing;gps
Stile: squeezer
Lat/Long: 53.1145019/-1.596156
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Source: survey;bing;gps
Stile: squeezer
Lat/Long: 53.1120452/-1.5945431
Barrier: stile
Steps: 2
Stile: wall
Lat/Long: 53.1078953/-1.600302
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 53.1072254/-1.598472
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 53.1072543/-1.5984582
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 53.1075293/-1.5984036
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 53.1073143/-1.5984315
Description: Stationary cable car
Tourism: attraction
Lat/Long: 53.1072908/-1.5983285
Booth: K6
Covered: booth
Disused Amenity: telephone
Man Made: telephone_box
Lat/Long: 53.1134835/-1.593957
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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