Bear's Wood

Wood, Forest in Herefordshire

England

Bear's Wood

View to Backbury Hill Old cider orchards can be seen with plenty of mistletoe. — View to Backbury Hill Credit: Jonathan Billinger

Bear's Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Herefordshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, this enchanting forest is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The wood is nestled within the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, boasting rolling hills and stunning vistas.

The woodland is predominantly comprised of native broadleaf trees, including oak, birch, and beech, which create a dense canopy overhead. This lush vegetation provides a perfect habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, foxes, badgers, and a wide variety of bird species. The tranquil atmosphere of Bear's Wood makes it an ideal spot for birdwatching, with the chance to spot species such as woodpeckers, owls, and buzzards.

Visitors to Bear's Wood can explore its numerous winding paths and trails, allowing them to immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of this natural paradise. The wood is particularly renowned for its carpet of bluebells that bloom in the spring, creating a stunning display of vibrant blue hues.

The wood also holds great historical significance, with traces of Iron Age settlements and ancient burial grounds discovered within its boundaries. These archaeological remnants provide a fascinating insight into the area's rich past.

Bear's Wood is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Its natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and historical intrigue make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Herefordshire.

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Bear's Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.036938/-2.6070472 or Grid Reference SO5837. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View to Backbury Hill

Old cider orchards can be seen with plenty of mistletoe.

Jonathan Billinger

Muddy orchard at Checkley

Livestock feeding at this feeder has made this corner of this mature orchard muddy.

Philip Halling

Farmland near Checkley

Philip Halling

A steaming muck bury

A muck bury steaming on a cold January day in farmland near Checkley.

Philip Halling

Muck bury in a field

Muck bury in a field, left to rot down before being spread on the land.

Philip Halling

Sharpnage Wood

Footpath entering Sharpnage Wood near Woolhope.

Philip Halling

Tree in an arable field

Tree in an arable field near Checkley.

Philip Halling

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

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Bear's Wood is located at Grid Ref: SO5837 (Lat: 52.036938, Lng: -2.6070472)

Unitary Authority: County of Herefordshire

Police Authority: West Mercia