Park Copse

Wood, Forest in Wiltshire

England

Park Copse

Farm Gate by the Chapel The medieval St Martin&#039;s Chapel is literally in a farmyard, as the gate and concrete yard surface bear out.
This is probably what saved it as it was used as a barn for centuries without being greatly altered and survived to the present day.
Now looked after by English Heritage. — Farm Gate by the Chapel Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Park Copse is a charming woodland located in the county of Wiltshire, England. Situated near the village of Great Bedwyn, this beautiful copse covers an area of approximately 20 acres and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

Characterized by its dense and diverse tree cover, Park Copse boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna. The woodland is predominantly composed of native British species, including oak, beech, and ash trees, which create a lush and vibrant canopy. The forest floor is adorned with an array of wildflowers and ferns, adding to its natural beauty.

The copse is crisscrossed with well-maintained footpaths, allowing visitors to explore its stunning surroundings. These pathways wind through the woodland, offering picturesque views and glimpses of local wildlife. Birdwatchers can delight in the sight of various avian species, such as woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds, which inhabit the copse.

Park Copse also holds historical significance, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Archaeological remains, including prehistoric burial mounds, have been discovered within the woodland, providing a glimpse into the area's rich past.

Visitors to Park Copse can enjoy a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and reflection. The copse's accessibility and well-preserved natural environment make it a popular destination for families, walkers, and nature enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Wiltshire countryside.

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Park Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.389528/-1.6062591 or Grid Reference SU2765. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farm Gate by the Chapel

The medieval St Martin's Chapel is literally in a farmyard, as the gate and concrete yard surface bear out. This is probably what saved it as it was used as a barn for centuries without being greatly altered and survived to the present day. Now looked after by English Heritage.

Des Blenkinsopp

St Martin's Chapel. West Wall

The medieval St Martin's Chapel is literally in a farmyard, as the gate and concrete yard surface show. This is probably what saved it as it was used as a barn for centuries without being greatly altered and survived to the present day. Now looked after by English Heritage.

Des Blenkinsopp

The way to Chisbury Chapel

A track to Chisbury Manor Farm which has the medieval St Martin's Chapel in the farmyard. The chapel is looked after by English Heritage and access for visitors is on foot along the farm road.

Des Blenkinsopp

Sunflowers at Chisbury Manor Farm

A view over the fields on the way to visit the medieval Chapel of St Martin which is in the yard at Manor Farm.

Des Blenkinsopp

Farmland near Chisbury

We were here to visit the medieval St Martin's Chapel, an English Heritage site along the farm track behind me. Visitor numbers are low and there is no special parking place so we just pulled up on the verge here beside Chisbury Lane.

Des Blenkinsopp

Frog Lane, Great Bedwyn

Did people consciously build beautiful cottages back then, or was there just nothing around to build ugly ones with.

Des Blenkinsopp

School Lane

Dwelling in Little Bedwyn.

Wayland Smith

Potter's Lock

View along the Kennet & Avon canal from the lock.

Wayland Smith

Buntmill Lock

Lock on the Kennet & Avon canal.

Wayland Smith

Hall Grainger & The Pig Killer

I found a few more old pictures from the amazing stonemason's museum which used to be in Great Bedwyn until it closed in 2009. Poor old Hall Grainger only made it to 55, while up above is a bizarre testament to John Higgs..... "A famous man for killing Pigs. For killing Pigs was his Delight Both morning Afternoon and Night Both heats and Colds he did Endure Which no Physician did ere Cure His knife is laid His work is Done I hope to Heaven his Soul has Gone" No doubt the pigs would agree.

Des Blenkinsopp

Chisbury Lane

Crossroads near Little Bedwyn.

Wayland Smith

St Michael's Church, Little Bedwyn

AJD

St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn

AJD

Jockey Green

Footpath near Bedwyn.

Wayland Smith

Farmland, Little Bedwyn

Arable farmland descending to the A4 from near Chisbury. The trees appear to be on the line of a former field boundary.

Andrew Smith

Bridleway near Chisbury

The bridleway skirts the edge of Bedwyn Common to take riders and walkers to St Katharine's.

Maigheach-gheal

Moss, Bedwyn Common

Moss is a small green plant, rarely more than a few inches high, which grows anywhere not overshadowed by taller vegetation or perpetually dry. There are more than 600 species in the British Isles, growing on rocks and walls, in woodlands and on tree trunks and branches. They are important pioneers of rock surfaces, holding moisture in their leaves and building up humus in which the seeds of flowering plants can germinate. There are two alternating generations in the life cycle of moss. The plant itself carries male and female organs. After fertilisation, these produce a capsule. Stalk and capsule together form an asexual, spore-bearing generation. The spores produced are capable of germinating into a new plant. Mosses also reproduce vegetatively, by small pieces breaking off and growing into a new plant. As they are rootless and tend to get their nutrients from water running over or through them they are nearly always short.

Maigheach-gheal