Description

Capstan Wood is an incredibly varied, manageable ancient woodland situated close to the town of Arundel. It is part of a larger wood known as Tortington Woods, which have been wooded for at least the past 300 years. Capstan Wood falls within the boundary of the South Downs National Park.

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

Capstan Wood is predominantly Scots pine. This was last thinned in 2013. The canopy remains open and the trees continue to mature, these will not require thinning for approximately 6 - 8 years. These widely spaced pines encourage the natural regeneration of the broadleaf understory which includes sweet chestnut, hazel and birch. Further thinning of the pine would enable the bluebells on the forest floor to flourish. There are some ancient field maples found along the north east boundary.

The east compartment of the wood comprises mixed broadleaf - sweet chestnut, birch, hazel, oak, ash, alder, mountain ash, hawthorn, sycamore, holly and the occasional yew. The coppice is mature and out of active rotation. This part of Capstan Wood provides the opportunity for a new owner to establish a 20-year coppice rotation to produce chestnut poles and firewood. In this area of the wood are a series of small seasonal ponds.

Natural England designates Capstan Wood as Ancient Replanted Woodland (PAWS). This land has been wooded since at least 1600AD. We are fortunate to have two useful studies on Tortington Woods which were undertaken by professionals. The Management Plan has been written by a qualified and experienced forestry professional to indicate a way in which Tortington Wood as a whole might be managed, but only you can know what you want to achieve and what your resources are. The Management Plan is not mandatory, but it is full of good advice, and a lot of background information which will certainly be interesting and useful. We also have a report from Prof. Julian Evans, author of “Getting started in a wood of your own”. The report does cover the wider area of Tortington Wood and again, advice is not compulsory.

Wildlife

Buzzards have been spotted circling high above the woods. Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh Tit have both recorded locally, as well as dormice.

Features

• An ancient mixed woodland within the South Downs National Park
• A private walk-track leading to a small clearing and a bench
• Open aspect to the north with views across a field
• Old woodbank along the south boundary
• Seasonal ponds

Access, tracks and footpaths

There are two rights of way off Binsted Lane to Capstan Wood. The first is via a single wooden gate which leads to the south east of the wood. This unsurfaced track is only suited to small forestry vehicles. The 2nd entrance is via a double set of gates situated further south on Binsted Lane. From here a stoned track leads to the south west of the wood. Here a ride stop entrance has been installed. An owner can park a car inside the entrance. A private walk track from this entrance provides access into the heart of the wood.

Rights and covenants

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

There are no public rights of way within the wood itself. A bridleway runs to the south of the wood.

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.

Local area and history

Capstan Wood is approximately 1.5 miles to the west of Arundel and easily accessible from the A27. It is close to the villages of Tortington and Binsted, both of which have churches that can be traced back to the Norman period. The wood is less than 5 miles from the south coast beach at Climping. Within easy reach of the wood, although across a busy road, is the pub and hotel, ’The White Swan’.

A Historic England Report outlines evidence of a Roman road running through Tortington Woods – this report is available here (see page 68-71).