SOLD: Middlethorpe Copse £65,000 Freehold
- Hart, Near Hartlepool, County Durham
- just over 5 acres
- Northern England
-
An attractive bend in the burn.
-
Old coppice stools.
-
Sycamore growing on the bank.
-
The river during summer time.
-
Ferns and dogs mecury growing in the wood.
-
Some hazel growing in a more open area.
-
Mare's tail growing close to the burn.
-
A flat area part way up the bank.
-
Path close to the burn.
-
Pines growing on a level area between the burns.
-
Water-side path.
-
Some nice old oak coppice.
-
Bench with a view.
-
First shared access gate.
-
View from the burn at the boundary.
-
Ride stop with some space to park beyond.
-
Looking up stream.
-
An autumnal view through the wood.
-
Some lovely old beech trees lower down in the wood.
-
Ivy clad tree trunks.
-
Farm track leading down to the shared gate
Description
Middlethorpe Copse is part of a larger wooded area that cloaks two river valleys as they converge, about half a mile inland from the Durham Heritage Coast. Surrounded by woodland on all sides, the copse is situated between two attractive burns, which generally flow year round; one forms the southern boundary and the other crosses through the wood.
The wood is a sanctuary and haven for wildlife, which is attracted both by the burns and the tree cover and vegetation beneath. Lots of hazel, which has been coppiced in the past, is growing throughout and there are other coppiced tree species such as oak and sycamore too.
A stand of useful, straight grown Scots pine is located on flat ground between the two watercourses. Moving northwards from here, the ground rises until it reaches the north boundary. On these slopes, the ground undulates and there are some really convenient flat terraces; ideal places to sit quietly, observe wildlife and soak in the atmosphere of the wood that surrounds you.
A mixture of ash, birch, hazel, sycamore and oak can be found here as well as a good carpet of dog’s mercury, ivy, ferns, including hart’s tongue, and mosses and grasses.
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.
Trees
Coppiced hazel, sycamore, birch, oak, elm, ash, beech, Scots pine and goat willow
Wildlife
Providing excellent habitat, a diverse range of wildlife is attracted to the wood because of the variety of tree cover types, topography, and water courses. Lots of roe deer live in the vicinity of the wood and their trails can be found in several locations - the quiet observer should have regular sightings. A carefully placed trail camera would record a lot of activity.
Many birds frequent the area from buzzards wheeling overhead to geese and swans passing along the coastline, woodland birds include flocks of tits, moving around the canopy in feeding groups and robins never seem to be far away looking for a meal opportunity.
Features
- Two watercourses
- Peaceful
- Good access
- Coppiced trees including some old oak coppice
- Surrounded by woodland
- Bench with a view
- Varied topography
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access is from the A19 and then along Bellows Burn Road to the shared woodland entrance.
A stone track then gives access to the woodland via a ford across the burn. There is space to park at the entrance to the wood. From here, access around the wood is on foot, some areas a on steep south facing banks.
There are no public footpaths within the wood. The Hart to Haswell walkway runs outside the northern boundary.
For viewing purposes there is vehicle access through the first gate at the woodland entrance with space to park closer to Middlethorpe Copse. Please call Dan Watson for the gate combination and do keep the gate locked at all times.
Rights and covenants
There are no public rights of way within the wood.
The sporting rights are included in the sale.
Our standard covenant will apply.
Activities
The wood is ideal for wildlife observation and conservation-based activities such as erecting birdboxes.
Flat areas are suitable for occasional family camping, or using as a base for coppice management operations.
There is excellent coppicing potential for stick products for garden, allotment and craft use as well as opportunities for home firewood collection.
Local area and history
Although Hartlepool is a port with a rich industrial past, the surrounding landscape features pretty villages in rolling magnesian limestone hills, countryside that has seen little development. This area lay outside the Durham coalfield to the north.
Monk Heselden is most likely derived from the local word Dene(den) meaning a deep forested Valley, and Hesle a corruption of Hazel, so the original meaning may have been, "Forested Valley of the Hazel trees", which are common in the, Nesbit, Crimdon and Hesleden Denes, that border the village. It's rather lovely that the dene has the same characteristics at least 1500 years later on.
Hart village, a pretty little settlement with a Saxon church, has ancient ties to the port and far-reaching views out to sea. The Brus wall just outside the church is the remains of a medieval house of a considerable size, on the site of an earlier Saxon Hall, that once belonged to the powerful De Brus family who owned the manor of Hart. It claims to be – the birthplace of Robert the Bruce, the King of Scotland.
Wood maps
This wood is now sold, please do not visit the wood without the permission of the owner.
Find this wood
This wood is now sold, please do not visit the wood without the permission of the owner.
Location
- OS Landranger: OS No. 93
- Grid ref: NZ 467 369
- Nearest post code: TS27 4SB
- GPS coordinates: 54.7258, -1.27569
Location map
Directions
Just 8 miles from Harlepool and 13 miles from Durham.
- Turn right onto Bellows Burn Lane, signed to Hulam and Nesbitt, 1 mile north of the A179 Hartlepool exit.
- After 1-mile bare left and continue on Bellows Burn Lane.
- After 1/3 of a mile arrive at farm track on the right, do not continue straight on to Nesbitt Hall.
- Follow the farm track with hedge to the left down hill to the shared wood gate where there is a Woodlands for sale sign. There is space to park here without blocking the gate, then access is on foot following the track.
For vehicle access through the first gate contact Dan Watson on 07970 116515 for gate combination. Please keep the gate locked at all times.
- Follow the track for a little over half a mile until it bends sharp left and then park to the right or left of the track in the spaces provided.
- On foot, continue to follow the track, climb gate and walk into the wood.
- Continue straight on and down hill through the wood for about 500 metres following the track down hill and to the right before reaching a ford.
- Cross the ford and follow the track to the right. The ride stop for Middlethorpe Copse is further 200 metres and then straight ahead.
How we support our buyers
Membership of the small woodland owners’ group
£300 for a woodland course of your choice
One year's free membership of the royal forestry society
Please note this wood is owned by woodlands.co.uk.
Our regional managers are often out working in our woodlands, so if you email an offer and want to be sure it has been received, please phone our manager on their mobile phone. The first offer at the stated price which is accepted, whether by phone or email, has priority.
Please take care when viewing as the great outdoors can contain unexpected hazards and woodlands are no exception. You should exercise common sense and caution, such as wearing appropriate footwear and avoiding visiting during high winds.
These particulars are for guidance only and, though believed to be correct, do not form part of any contract. Woodland Investment Management Ltd hereby give notice under section 21 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 of their interest in the land being sold.
A peaceful woodland with a mix of native broadleaved trees and straight softwoods, set on both level and sloping ground, alongside a rocky watercourse, close to the Durham Heritage Coast.
