Ash Plantation

Wood, Forest in Herefordshire

England

Ash Plantation

Plantation, Five Bridges Marshy area with the road to Hereford requiring five bridges to cope with the waters of the River Frome. — Plantation, Five Bridges Credit: Bob Embleton

Ash Plantation is a picturesque woodland located in Herefordshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, it is a well-preserved example of a mixed deciduous forest, primarily composed of ash trees. The plantation is situated on gently sloping terrain, offering visitors stunning vistas and a serene atmosphere.

The trees within Ash Plantation are predominantly mature ash trees, known for their tall stature and distinctive diamond-shaped leaves. These trees provide ample shade and create a dense canopy, allowing for a cool and tranquil environment even during the hot summer months. The forest floor is covered in a lush carpet of moss, ferns, and wildflowers, further enhancing the natural beauty of the woodland.

Ash Plantation is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, including woodpeckers, owls, and warblers, while small mammals such as squirrels and rabbits scurry through the undergrowth. The forest also supports a rich insect population, attracting butterflies and bees.

Visitors to Ash Plantation can explore a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, providing opportunities for leisurely walks, jogging, or cycling. Picnic areas and benches are strategically placed throughout the woodland, allowing visitors to rest and appreciate the tranquility of their surroundings. The plantation is open to the public year-round, with free admission and ample parking available.

Ash Plantation, with its ancient ash trees, diverse wildlife, and serene atmosphere, is a true natural gem in Herefordshire, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the English countryside.

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Ash Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.041344/-2.6292535 or Grid Reference SO5638. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Plantation, Five Bridges

Marshy area with the road to Hereford requiring five bridges to cope with the waters of the River Frome.

Bob Embleton

Dwarf Hop Field

Peter Whatley

Mordiford Mill

Utilising all four floors (including the attic space), this 1840s building extends an earlier mill. When new roller mills producing white flour became popular old mills were used to mill animal feed and eventually went out of business in the early 20th century. During WWII it was adapted to be used by the home guard by adding gun firing slits in the third floor - two can be seen either side of the window. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill SO5737 : Mordiford Mill, ground floor SO5737 : Mordiford Mill, second floor SO5737 : Mordiford Mill, third floor SO5737 : Mordiford Mill, fourth floor

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, ground floor

The two large cog wheels have wooden teeth made from apple trees because of their hardness. The small wheel is cast iron complete with teeth. The arch on the right wall suggests this may be an earlier mill that was then adapted to the four storey building we see today. The mill is slowly undergoing a total restoration so the hopper and the millstones are being stored down here. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill

The rear of the building showing the overshot wheel. Notice the WWII gun slots from which the Home Guard could delay the invading enemy. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, fourth floor

The large wooden wheel could be lifted to tighten the wheel on to a leather drive belt to raise sacks of corn from the ground floor up to for storage or feeding into the mill machinery. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, fourth floor, hoist wheel

Detail of the wheel which when raised tightened onto a leather drive belt to raise sacks from the ground floor. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill, fourth floor

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, third floor

Now being used to story a variety of tools and equipment. The cupboard on the right as used to separate the fine ground flour from the coarse by passing the ground flour through a rotating near horizontal drum with varying mesh hessian coverings to sieve the flour. Notice the WWII defensive gun slots by which the Home Guard would delay the advance of invading troops. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, second floor

The mill has two grindstones driven from the floor below. The vertical oak shaft fed power to two horizontal shafts. The one on the left drove a leather belt up to the top floor to hoist sacks up from the ground floor. The one on the right drove a belt to the rotating flour sieve "cupboard" that was against the right hand wall. The curved wooden panel on the end wall was part of a lever system to control the flow of water over the wheel - located the other side of the wall. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill water wheel

Undergoing complete restoration. The buckets have been removed using an angle grinder to cut through the completely corroded bolts. New axle bearings are being made. White limestone from the leet water has covered some of the iron. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill mill wheel bucket

The owner of the mill explaining the restoration work. The water wheel, when restored will have many of these metal "buckets" around the circumference to drive the wheel by the weight of the water. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill, seed blower

A wooden fan driven from the water wheel blows air through the vertically falling seed to remove dust and other contaminants out of the building. SO5737 : Mordiford Mill

Bob Embleton

Mordiford Mill

This is the floor above the stone floor and shows the defensive loopholes inserted for the home guard so that the bridge could be defended - see SO5737 : Loopholes in a former corn mill. This watermill was open for National Mills weekend.

Chris Allen

Mordiford Bridge and Mill

The mill had loopholes inserted so that the home guard could defend the bridge.

Chris Allen

Mordiford Mill

Watermill of c1840 with predominantly iron machinery and open for National Mills Weekend. This is the largely dismantled overshot waterwheel seen from the top floor. The axle is metal and the buckets are all to be replaced with a 'rusting' stainless steel.

Chris Allen

Mordiford Mill - the stone floor

Two pairs of stones. The left hand tun has been lifted off and the stones are undergoing maintenance. The crown wheel and auxiliary drive are in the centre background. In the foreground is a fan that was used for cleaning (smutting) the corn. An excellent watermill that is being restored painstakingly.

Chris Allen