Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Tweddle Bank Wood £49,000 Freehold

Description

This quiet south-facing woodland is set in a leafy dene and is accessible from the A19, not far from Hartlepool and Durham. Tweddle Bank Wood would make an ideal conservation project and is a very tranquil spot to nurture and enjoy nature.

The wooded dene has existed for centuries it seems, with the local settlement names of Heseldon named after a valley 'where the hazel grows'. The coppiced hazel is still here, along with goat willow, oak, hawthorn, birch, ash and elm. The hazel ‘stools’ are quite large, suggesting many decades of management and the resulting poles could be a good source of firewood or used for craft projects. Many larger multi-stemmed trees are present, and these could have been coppiced more than 50 years ago.

A network of animal tracks connects with small grass-covered glades which provide an ideal habitat for invertebrates in the spring and summer months.

A ride-stop at the southern edge of the wood has a level terrace or old track with a conveniently located bench. From this point, the land rises towards the northern boundary where a wide, relatively level, strip runs parallel with the Hart to Haswell walkway.

The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant

Trees

Coppiced hazel, sycamore, birch, oak, elm, ash, beech and goat willow.

Wildlife

Walking through the wood, one is likely to encounter woodcock breaking cover, at the last minute as you pass, barrelling off through the canopy. Many other bird species are also found here, from buzzards to blue tits and long tailed tits as well as wrens and tiny goldcrests.

Lots of roe deer live in the vicinity of the wood; if you monitor their trails, you’re likely to have sightings. A carefully place trail camera could reveal the array of wildlife visitors.

Features

  • Sunny south-facing slope
  • Peaceful
  • Level terraces at the northern and southern edges of the wood
  • Old coppice
  • Surrounded by woodland
  • A secluded bench

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, meandering up the bank through some clearer areas.

There are no public footpaths within the wood. The Hart to Haswell walkway runs outside the northern boundary.

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 birdboxes.

More level areas may be suitable for occasional family camping or using as a base for coppice management operations and exploring the Durham Heritage Coast .

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.

The nearby village of Sheraton is situated by Bellows Burn, and now bisected by the A19 road. In medieval times there was a more sizable settlement here, first recorded in 1050 AD under the name 'Scurafaton'. In the 19th century Sheraton was part of the Parish of Monkhesleton. The open field system and archaeological remains are a scheduled ancient monument.

The dene is essentially a limestone gorge carpeted with layers of glacial clay, sand and gravel. It was carved by the water from melting ice at the end of the last period of glacial activity and reaches the coastline at the sands of Crimdon Dene Beach. Crimdon has been a popular place for holiday makers for many years. From the 1920’s miners came to Crimdon for their annual summer holidays. Crimdon beach is a very important breeding ground for the Little Tern, one of Britain’s rarest sea birds. These birds arrive every year in May from West Africa and the site is monitored by volunteer wardens who erect temporary fencing to protect the eggs and chicks from predators.

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 466 370
  • Nearest post code: TS27 4SB
  • GPS coordinates: 54.7265, -1.27731

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 Tweddle Bank Wood is further 100 metres and to the left.

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 secluded, south-facing woodland with tall broadleaved trees and coppice, near the Durham Heritage Coast.

Managed by Dan Watson

Telephone: 07970 116 515

Email: [email protected]