Shepherd’s Ward Wood comprises mainly broadleaves (sweet chestnut, hazel, birch, oak) with the occasional conifer (European larch, Norway spruce, and Scots pine). It is worth noting that Woodlands.co.uk offer £300 towards a course for a new owner. This would provide the opportunity to learn the skills required to resume coppicing of the sweet chestnut in the future. Some chestnut stems have windblown, which could be processed for fuel for heating the home.

Shepherd’s Ward Wood has been designated as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) by Natural England. ASNW 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 Shepherd’s Ward 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.

The management plan notes that bird species including garden warbler, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler, lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker and woodcock might be present within the woodland. It is also noted that bat species will be present and will make use of the woodland and open areas within it for foraging. 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. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland.

- An ancient semi-natural mixed woodland within the High Weald AONB.

- Splendid mature oaks and plenty of sweet chestnut providing a good supply of firewood for the home.

- Field views along the west facing boundaries, letting in lots of light.

- A rustic bench in a flat clearing among the oaks and bluebells.

Access to Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood. Here owners can drive in and park a car within the wood itself. There is a 2nd unstoned access track from a single gate to the south of the wood.

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

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

The owner of Shepherd’s Ward Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.

Owning a wood is a great opportunity for a new owner to learn about woodland management. Practicing bushcraft, spotting birds, camping privately with family and friends or simply immersing in nature – there is lots on offer in this charming wood.

There are several important historical sites all within a short distance of Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood.

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.