Lapwing wood is a young woodland of prdominantly oak and ash. It is surrounded by similar woodland and is mostly level with some very gentle slopes.

The woodland is located near the historic town of Shepton Mallet  set in the Mendip foothills, and at the geographical heart of the Mendip District but at the eastern edge of the Mendip Hills Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area was strategically important in Roman times ( evidenced by the Fosse Way, now the A37, which passes close by) and many significant archaeological finds have been made here.

This Natural Area is underlain by carboniferous limestone and supports characteristically species-rich grasslands and woodlands on thin soils. The geology of the area is important and contains fossil-rich exposures, stratigraphic sites and karst (limestone) features such as the famous caves at Wookey Hole http://www.wookey.co.uk/welcome.htm  and the spectacular limestone Cheddar Gorge. http://www.cheddarvillage.co.uk  Three large reservoirs in the area are important for their populations of wintering wildfowl.The caves and mines provide winter roosts for the endangered Greater Horseshoe Bats and the dormouse has one of its strongest British populations in the woods and hedgerows of the Mendip Hills. The highest known winter concentrations of lapwings are found at the Somerset Levels nearby.

For many centuries the area grew rich on the cloth industry, which reached its peak here in the 17th century. Many fine examples of cloth merchant's houses remain from this period in the nearby towns and villages.

The Royal Bath and West Showground, one of Britain's major agricultural shows is held nearby annually in May/June, and many other events are staged here throughout the year.

The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of adjoining woodlands and meadows.

• Price: £25,000 Freehold
• Location: Oakhill, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
• Size: Approx. 1.6 acres for sale

Click a photo to see a bigger version in a new window.

Boundaries:

Are indicated by posts with red markings spaced at intervals along the boundaries. It should be noted that the boundary does not border the A37. Young broadleaf woodland of similar age surrounds Lapwing Wood. The south west and south east boundary consist of mature hedgerow on a raised bank.

Click a map to see a bigger version in a new window. These maps automatically appear full size when this page is printed.