Parsonage Wood

Wood, Forest in Berkshire

England

Parsonage Wood

Tesco Express, Goring This building, on the corner of Gatehampton Road and Reading Road, is unmistakeably a former pub - one of many around the country taken over by Tesco for a convenience store. Until it was closed in 2013 it was the Queens Arms, owned by Greene King, and opened by Tesco in August 2017. It is not known exactly when the pub was established; the first known reference was in 1843 but it seems likely that it was more or less contemporary with the nearby railway station opened a few years before. — Tesco Express, Goring Credit: Stephen McKay

Parsonage Wood, located in Berkshire, England, is a charming woodland area that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Covering an approximate area of 20 acres, this woodland is a true haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

The wood is primarily composed of native tree species such as oak, ash, and beech, which create a dense canopy and provide shelter for an array of wildlife. Walking through the wood, visitors can admire the majestic trees and enjoy the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Parsonage Wood is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Bluebells carpet the forest floor in the spring, creating a breathtaking sea of blue. Various species of birds, including woodpeckers and nuthatches, can be heard and spotted throughout the year. Squirrels scurry among the branches, adding a playful touch to the woodland ambiance.

The wood features well-maintained footpaths that wind their way through the trees, allowing visitors to explore the area at their leisure. These paths are suitable for all ages and abilities, making the wood an ideal destination for families, dog walkers, and nature lovers alike.

Managed by the local council, Parsonage Wood is open to the public throughout the year, free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to respect the natural environment and keep dogs under control to ensure the preservation of this precious woodland ecosystem.

Overall, Parsonage Wood is a cherished natural gem in Berkshire, offering a serene and picturesque setting for individuals to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of the British countryside.

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Parsonage Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.518157/-1.1604527 or Grid Reference SU5880. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Tesco Express, Goring

This building, on the corner of Gatehampton Road and Reading Road, is unmistakeably a former pub - one of many around the country taken over by Tesco for a convenience store. Until it was closed in 2013 it was the Queens Arms, owned by Greene King, and opened by Tesco in August 2017. It is not known exactly when the pub was established; the first known reference was in 1843 but it seems likely that it was more or less contemporary with the nearby railway station opened a few years before.

Stephen McKay

Gatehampton Road, Goring

This is the view of Goring anybody emerging from Goring & Streatley station gets. In this image the main station buildings, protected by a canopy, are on the immediate left with a covered cycle rack beyond. The late afternoon sunshine catches the buildings further up the road, including a former pub now a Tesco Express, while three teenage boys approach having finished school for the day. The National Rail sign, perched on top of a high pole, completes the scene. Although an ancient settlement, Goring began to develop when the railway arrived in the 1830s and is now a sizeable commuter village with a population in excess of 3,000. Streatley is a smaller place connected to Goring by a bridge over the River Thames.

Stephen McKay

The B4009 at Westridge Green

David Howard

The B4009 at Westridge Green

David Howard

Westridge Green

David Howard

The entrance to Westridge Manor Farm

This appears to have been converted to very large houses

David Howard

Field entrance in Westridge Green

David Howard

The B4009, Westridge Green

David Howard

Farmland above the River Thames

Farmland above the River Thames, south of Streatley.

Philip Halling

Farmland, Streatley, Berkshire

Oswald Bertram

Downland, Stichens Green, Berkshire

Oswald Bertram

Country lane, Lower Basildon, Berkshire

Oswald Bertram

Westridge Manor Farm

You are quite high up here - the OS shows a spot-height of 164m nearby. The road is the B4009, which has to negotiate a long, sharp descent to reach the level of the Thames floodplain at Streatley.

Stefan Czapski

Downland arable near Westridge Green

The land may be fairly level, but the elevation here is about 165m. Photo taken on a mild but rather sunless afternoon in December.

Stefan Czapski

Old pollard willows on the river bank, downstream from Streatley

There are some very ancient-looking pollard willows along this stretch of the Thames. These are on private land, so I took a zoom shot from close to the A329. These trees also appear in Bill Nicholls' contribution SU5979 : Island in the river near the right-hand margin.

Stefan Czapski