Birchcleave Wood

Wood, Forest in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Birchcleave Wood

Gate and winter trees at Clovenrocks Bridge
Gate and winter trees at Clovenrocks Bridge Credit: David Smith

Birchcleave Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Somerset, England. Spanning over an area of approximately 100 acres, this enchanting forest is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

The wood is predominantly characterized by its dense canopy of towering birch trees, which lend the woodland its name. These trees, with their distinctive white bark and delicate leaves, create a serene and ethereal atmosphere within the forest. However, Birchcleave Wood is not limited to just birch trees, as it also boasts a rich variety of other tree species such as oak, beech, and hazel, adding to the visual splendor of the woodland.

Within Birchcleave Wood, visitors can meander along a network of well-maintained trails, allowing them to explore the natural wonders that the forest has to offer. These paths wind through the woodland, revealing hidden glades, babbling brooks, and vibrant wildflower displays, providing a peaceful and tranquil escape from the outside world.

The wood is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, foxes, badgers, and a vast assortment of bird species. Keen-eyed visitors may be lucky enough to spot rare and elusive creatures such as the lesser-spotted woodpecker or the elusive red squirrel.

Birchcleave Wood is a cherished natural treasure in Somerset, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquility of a quintessential English woodland.

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Birchcleave Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.138584/-3.7511336 or Grid Reference SS7739. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gate and winter trees at Clovenrocks Bridge
Gate and winter trees at Clovenrocks Bridge
Clovenrocks Bridge
Clovenrocks Bridge
Winter hedge east of Clovenrocks Bridge
Winter hedge east of Clovenrocks Bridge
High hedges west of Honeymead Farm
High hedges west of Honeymead Farm
Field off Two Moors Way Picture taken from Two Moors Way halfway between Blue Gate and Wintershead Farm
Field off Two Moors Way
Picture taken from Two Moors Way halfway between Blue Gate and Wintershead Farm
River Barle entering Simonsbath Just to west of village and south of junction of B3358 with B3223.
River Barle entering Simonsbath
Just to west of village and south of junction of B3358 with B3223.
Exmoor: Ashcombe Plantation, Simonsbath Public footpath through the woods above Ashcombe Bottom
Exmoor: Ashcombe Plantation, Simonsbath
Public footpath through the woods above Ashcombe Bottom
River Barle Looking downstream. November snow, not often seen on Exmoor nowadays.
River Barle
Looking downstream. November snow, not often seen on Exmoor nowadays.
Fish pass Recently restored weir and fish pass or salmon ladder on River Barle
Fish pass
Recently restored weir and fish pass or salmon ladder on River Barle
Exmoor: the Barle valley at Simonsbath A public footpath runs at the foot of the wood and along the left bank of the river to the site of Wheal Eliza, a 19th century mine, and on past Cow Castle to link with the Two Moors Way
Exmoor: the Barle valley at Simonsbath
A public footpath runs at the foot of the wood and along the left bank of the river to the site of Wheal Eliza, a 19th century mine, and on past Cow Castle to link with the Two Moors Way
Great Woolcombe & Winstitchen panorama View from the top of Cow Castle, looking upstream of the River Barle - Near Simonsbath, Exmoor. 
n.b. Cow Castle was an Iron Age Hillfort, sandwiched between the confluence of White Water & the River Barle
Great Woolcombe & Winstitchen panorama
View from the top of Cow Castle, looking upstream of the River Barle - Near Simonsbath, Exmoor. n.b. Cow Castle was an Iron Age Hillfort, sandwiched between the confluence of White Water & the River Barle
River Barle Above Simonsbath, looking downstream.
River Barle
Above Simonsbath, looking downstream.
Exmoor: near Cloven Rocks Looking south-south-east towards Winstitchen
Exmoor: near Cloven Rocks
Looking south-south-east towards Winstitchen
Exmoor: river Barle Looking west above Cornham Brake. Seen from the South Molton road near Simonsbath
Exmoor: river Barle
Looking west above Cornham Brake. Seen from the South Molton road near Simonsbath
Exmoor: cairn The cairn commemorates John William Fortescue, historian of the British Army, 1859-1933. Looking north above Drybridge Combe with the South Molton-Simonsbath road on the right
Exmoor: cairn
The cairn commemorates John William Fortescue, historian of the British Army, 1859-1933. Looking north above Drybridge Combe with the South Molton-Simonsbath road on the right
Great Woolcombe sheepfold A large square C19th sheepfold high on the exposed moor [<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=33129" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=33129">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>].  The boundary hedges, now very neglected, have long grown into sizable beech trees.
Great Woolcombe sheepfold
A large square C19th sheepfold high on the exposed moor [LinkExternal link]. The boundary hedges, now very neglected, have long grown into sizable beech trees.
Wheal Eliza Ruin of C19th iron mine.  see <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=33007" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=33007">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>
Wheal Eliza
Ruin of C19th iron mine. see LinkExternal link
River Barle at Simonsbath View east - downstream
River Barle at Simonsbath
View east - downstream
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Birchcleave Wood is located at Grid Ref: SS7739 (Lat: 51.138584, Lng: -3.7511336)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Somerset West and Taunton

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset

What 3 Words

///skip.protests.picturing. Near Lynton, Devon

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.138584,-3.7511336
Simonsbath
Is In: Somerset, England, UK
Place: village
Wikidata: Q2414371
Lat/Long: 51.1389297/-3.7558302
Toilets
Lat/Long: 51.1408123/-3.7540901
Barrier: swing_gate
Lat/Long: 51.1385761/-3.7549504
Give Way
Lat/Long: 51.1386599/-3.7564731
Historic: yes
Operator: Somerset County Council
Traffic Sign: destination_sign
Lat/Long: 51.1386166/-3.7566168
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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