Francroft Plantation

Wood, Forest in Bedfordshire

England

Francroft Plantation

Bridge at Sharnbrook This bridge on Park Lane takes the road under the Midland Main Line.
Bridge at Sharnbrook Credit: Bob Walters

Francoft Plantation is a picturesque woodland located in Bedfordshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, it is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The plantation is primarily composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, including oak, beech, pine, and spruce.

The woodland is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers, offering a tranquil setting for outdoor activities. It boasts a well-maintained network of walking trails that meander through the dense forest, providing visitors with ample opportunities to explore its hidden treasures. Along these trails, one can encounter a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, rabbits, and a diverse range of bird species.

Francoft Plantation also holds historical significance, as it was once part of a larger estate dating back to the medieval period. The site has been carefully managed over the years to preserve its natural heritage and protect its unique ecosystem. The Bedfordshire Woodland Trust, in collaboration with local authorities, actively engages in the conservation and maintenance of the plantation.

Visitors to Francoft Plantation can enjoy a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature. The woodland's breathtaking scenery, coupled with its diverse flora and fauna, make it a cherished destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Francroft Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.237199/-0.54264137 or Grid Reference SP9960. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge at Sharnbrook This bridge on Park Lane takes the road under the Midland Main Line.
Bridge at Sharnbrook
This bridge on Park Lane takes the road under the Midland Main Line.
St Pancras - Bradford express approaching Souldrop Summit near Sharnbrook View SE, towards London: ex-Midland St Pancras - Leicester - Sheffield main line. On the left can just be seen the Slow lines, which from Souldrop (north of Sharnbrook) to Irchester took a separate track east of the Fast lines on an easier gradient and through a tunnel. The 14.00 from St Pancras should reach Bradford via Leeds at 19.20: Stanier 'Jubilee' 6P 4-6-0 No. 45612 'Jamaica' (with Fowler tender) (built 7/34, withdrawn 3/64) probably worked as far as Leeds.
St Pancras - Bradford express approaching Souldrop Summit near Sharnbrook
View SE, towards London: ex-Midland St Pancras - Leicester - Sheffield main line. On the left can just be seen the Slow lines, which from Souldrop (north of Sharnbrook) to Irchester took a separate track east of the Fast lines on an easier gradient and through a tunnel. The 14.00 from St Pancras should reach Bradford via Leeds at 19.20: Stanier 'Jubilee' 6P 4-6-0 No. 45612 'Jamaica' (with Fowler tender) (built 7/34, withdrawn 3/64) probably worked as far as Leeds.
St Pancras - Manchester express approaching Souldrop Summit View SE, towards Bedford and London: ex-Midland Main Line, St Pancras - Leicester - Sheffield, also Manchester via Derby and the Peak Line. The Slow lines here are dropping away on the left on an easier gradient through Sharnbrook Tunnel. The 14.15 from St Pancras (due Manchester Central 18.35) conveyed through coaches for Buxton. It is double-headed, with Johnson/Deeley ex-Midland 2P 4-4-0 No. 40485 (withdrawn 8/57) piloting Stanier 5MT 4-6-0 No. 44938 (built 11/45, withdrawn 10/67).
St Pancras - Manchester express approaching Souldrop Summit
View SE, towards Bedford and London: ex-Midland Main Line, St Pancras - Leicester - Sheffield, also Manchester via Derby and the Peak Line. The Slow lines here are dropping away on the left on an easier gradient through Sharnbrook Tunnel. The 14.15 from St Pancras (due Manchester Central 18.35) conveyed through coaches for Buxton. It is double-headed, with Johnson/Deeley ex-Midland 2P 4-4-0 No. 40485 (withdrawn 8/57) piloting Stanier 5MT 4-6-0 No. 44938 (built 11/45, withdrawn 10/67).
Down fast freight approaching Souldrop Summit, Sharnbrook View SE, towards Bedford and London: Midland Main Line from St Pancras. Headed by BR 9F 2-10-0 No. 92164 (built 4/58, withdrawn 7/66), a Down Class C freight is running on the easier Slow lines which penetrated the ridge between the Ouse and Nene valleys in a tunnel, while the Fast lines went over the summit - cf. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2745878">SP9860 : St Pancras - Manchester express approaching Souldrop Summit</a>. [I was travelling on a Down train on the latter, hence the less than perfect photograph].
Down fast freight approaching Souldrop Summit, Sharnbrook
View SE, towards Bedford and London: Midland Main Line from St Pancras. Headed by BR 9F 2-10-0 No. 92164 (built 4/58, withdrawn 7/66), a Down Class C freight is running on the easier Slow lines which penetrated the ridge between the Ouse and Nene valleys in a tunnel, while the Fast lines went over the summit - cf. SP9860 : St Pancras - Manchester express approaching Souldrop Summit. [I was travelling on a Down train on the latter, hence the less than perfect photograph].
Kettering - Bedford stopping train near Souldrop Summit View NW, towards Wellingborough, Kettering etc., ex-Midland main line from London St Pancras. On the Up Fast, the 14.36 from Kettering is headed by LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46403 (built 12/46, withdrawn 7/64). The Slow lines coming from their separate tunnel through the summit are just out of sight down on the right.
Kettering - Bedford stopping train near Souldrop Summit
View NW, towards Wellingborough, Kettering etc., ex-Midland main line from London St Pancras. On the Up Fast, the 14.36 from Kettering is headed by LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 No. 46403 (built 12/46, withdrawn 7/64). The Slow lines coming from their separate tunnel through the summit are just out of sight down on the right.
The Bedford Arms Walker friendly pub. Enjoyed a pint of Brainstorm, a bitter from the Hopping Mad Brewery at nearby Olney.
The Bedford Arms
Walker friendly pub. Enjoyed a pint of Brainstorm, a bitter from the Hopping Mad Brewery at nearby Olney.
A small village green, Souldrop The fire beacon was a Millennium project constructed by a local engineering firm.
A small village green, Souldrop
The fire beacon was a Millennium project constructed by a local engineering firm.
Name changes A sign attached to the fire beacon on the small green in Souldrop shows how the village name has changed over the past few hundred years.
Name changes
A sign attached to the fire beacon on the small green in Souldrop shows how the village name has changed over the past few hundred years.
Compare the junction dot com Simple's, take a cue from a popular TV advertisement for your vehicle repair business.
Compare the junction dot com
Simple's, take a cue from a popular TV advertisement for your vehicle repair business.
Forty Foot Lane Near the village of Souldrop.
Forty Foot Lane
Near the village of Souldrop.
Village Green, Souldrop One of two Greens in Souldrop.
Village Green, Souldrop
One of two Greens in Souldrop.
Yellow Taxi A bit of brightness on a dull day and you're thinking "There's a song about a yellow taxi" so, courtesy of Joni Mitchell, sing along to <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.lyrics007.com/Joni%20Mitchell%20Lyrics/Big%20Yellow%20Taxi%20Lyrics.html" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.lyrics007.com/Joni%20Mitchell%20Lyrics/Big%20Yellow%20Taxi%20Lyrics.html">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Yellow Taxi
A bit of brightness on a dull day and you're thinking "There's a song about a yellow taxi" so, courtesy of Joni Mitchell, sing along to LinkExternal link
All Saints, Souldrop
All Saints, Souldrop
All Saints, Souldrop - East end
All Saints, Souldrop - East end
All Saints, Souldrop - Font
All Saints, Souldrop - Font
All Saints, Souldrop - Interior
All Saints, Souldrop - Interior
Village Green, Souldrop
Village Green, Souldrop
Wind turbine under construction near Souldrop: aerial 2014
Wind turbine under construction near Souldrop: aerial 2014
Show me another place!

Francroft Plantation is located at Grid Ref: SP9960 (Lat: 52.237199, Lng: -0.54264137)

Unitary Authority: Bedford

Police Authority: Bedfordshire

What 3 Words

///vote.tall.showrooms. Near Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire

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