Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Downs Wood £69,000 Freehold

Description

A great network of tracks and rides have helped define the boundaries of this smaller woodland – but small doesn’t in this case mean a compromise on what’s on offer. Downs Wood has the most incredibly intense bluebell display in the spring. The south of the wood is literally carpeted with bluebells – in a clearing overlooked by a splendid veteran beech tree and mature oak standards. There are no public footpaths in or adjoining the wood. The wide rides provide great habitats for butterflies, and it is easy to while away the afternoon sitting in the sun watching the insects.

It is situated about 2 ½ miles southwest from the village of Lamberhurst, on the Kent / East Sussex border. It is within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Downs Wood is part of a larger woodland known as Skents Wood. The wood is flat, easily accessed and surrounded by privately owned woodlands.

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

Sweet chestnut, birch, scattered mature oak standards are found in the larger southern compartment of Downs Wood. Here there is also a magnificent veteran beech tree and a splendid old Scots pine. There are some old windblown trees, which with a little effort could be cleared, and would provide a good supply of firewood. The smaller northern compartment comprises Japanese larch, Norway spruce birch and oak. The occasional mountain ash can also be found in the wood. There is a short woodbank dividing the two compartments within the wood. Woodbanks and ditches were often used to mark the boundaries of woods and further confirm the ancient status of the woodland.

Downs Wood has been designated as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) by Natural England. This is woodland that has been under constant tree cover since at least 1600AD. It is valued as a rich reserve of biodiversity. There is an approved Management Plan and Felling Licence for Skents Wood (of which Downs Wood is a part) – details of this are available upon request. 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.

Wildlife

There are some lovely wide grassy rides alongside the wood and a fantastic scallop on the north boundary. These all provide fabulous habitats for butterflies and insects. There is plenty of opportunity to enhance the habitat for wildlife here, from the simple provision of bird and bat boxes to the management of the tree cover and ground flora.

Features

- The most incredible bluebell display in Spring.

- Veteran trees (beech and pine) and mature oak standards.

- Surrounded by privately owned woods.

- Flat and accessible with a rustic bench set in a clearing.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to Downs Wood is via a set of double metal gates off Free Heath Road (an owner will be provided the combination number for these locked gates). A stoned track leads to the ride stop entrance to Downs Wood. Here owners are able to drive in and park a car within the wood itself.

There are no public footpaths within the wood or adjoining the wood.

Rights and covenants

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

The owner of Downs Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.

Activities

This small woodland is the perfect size for a new owner to learn about woodland management. You could choose to clear the windblow and replant gaps with native broadleaves. Or you could thin the birch (a wonderful firewood). Or you could simply sit and enjoy watching the butterflies and listening to the birds and insects.

Local area and history

The management plan suggests that during the 16th and 17th centuries Skents Wood would have provided important fuel wood for the many iron furnaces then present in the vicinity. It seems likely that what would have originally been oak woodland with hornbeam coppice was converted to mainly sweet chestnut coppice in the late 19th century (as there are not many very large coppice stools in evidence). It is understood that the woodland previously formed part of the Bayham Abbey estate of the Marquess of Camden, which was broken up in the 1990s.

There are a number of important historical sites all within a short distance of Downs Wood. The English Heritage site of Bayham Abbey is approx. 3 miles north and features ruins dating back to the 13th century. Scotney Castle is approx. 3 miles away – this impressive 14th century moated castle is well worth a visit. For those who love water, Bewl Water is only 4 miles from Downs Wood and offers various water sports, as well as cycling and fishing. There is a 15th century pub called The Elephants Head in Hook Green, walking distance from Downs Wood.

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. 188
  • Grid ref: TQ 648 356
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0957, 0.351901

Location map

Directions

Please note, for satellite navigation, use the post code TN3 8LR. This will take you approx. 0.7 miles north of the entrance to Skents Wood (of which Downs Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Downs Wood (off Free Heath Road) are: N51.090412, E0.354804. To find the wood follow the instructions below.

Heading south on the A21

  • Heading south past the exits for Royal Tunbridge Wells and Pembury, continue heading south until you reach the roundabout at Kipping’s Cross.
  • Go straight over at Kipping’s Cross and continue straight over at the next roundabout (this is the turning to the BP garage and Burger King).
  • After approx. 1 mile take the first turning on the right onto Clay Hill Road - signposted ‘Hook Green’.
  • Follow Clay Hill Road approx. 2 miles south to the crossroads in Hook Green (where The Elephants Head pub is).
  • Continue straight over the crossroads onto Free Heath Road and follow this for approx. 0.7 mile until you reach a set of double metal gates on the right-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on them.

Heading north from Hastings on the A21

  • Follow the A21 heading north out of Hastings.
  • At Flimwell (about 16 miles from Hastings) stay on the A21 (crossing straight over the B2087) towards Lamberhurst.
  • After approx. 3.5 miles you reach a roundabout, take the first exit on to the B2169 (signposted Lamberhurst, Frant and Wadhurst).
  • Shortly after, take the first turn left signposted to Frant (and the Brown Trout Pub). This follows the B2169.
  • Continue through Lamberhurst Down on the B2169 (Furnace Lane) and once out of the village after about 1 mile, take the first left turn onto Neills Road. After about 1 mile this reaches a crossroad. Take the right turn onto Free Heath Road.
  • Continue 0.3 miles until you reach a set of double metal gates on the left-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on them.

Once you arrive at the gate:

  • Park in front of the double metal gates (to the right-hand side) ensuring there is space for the gates to be accessed by vehicles.
  • Walk round the side of the gate and up the track approx. 160 meters to the crossroads.
  • At the crossroads in the track turn right and follow the track for approx. 450 meters.
  • The entrance to Downs Wood is on the left-hand side of this track with its boundaries marked in MAUVE.
  • Sat Nav note: The post code TN3 8LR is for the point shown on the location map by the red dot.

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 mixed ancient wood offering the most incredible bluebell display in the spring, manageably sized, private and surrounded by woodlands.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]