Visor Wood £65,000 Freehold
- Shadoxhurst, near Ashford, Kent
- about 4 acres
- South East England
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Bluebells
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One of the two ponds in Visor Wood
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Hornbeam pollards along the field boundary
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Douglas Fir
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The bench in a private spot
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The grassy stoned track leading to Visor Wood
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Mature oak amongst the hornbeam
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Hornbeam
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Spring flowers
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Oak along the field edge
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The ride stop entrance to Visor Wood
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Mixed broadleaves
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Red-headed Cardinal Beetle
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Birch in the south of Visor Wood
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Along the southern boundary
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The gate entrance to the woods
Description
Visor Wood is a beautiful ancient woodland, home to oak, hornbeam and birch. In early spring, the forest floor comes alive with classic woodland flowers including bluebells, wood anemone and primrose.
A rustic bench sits within a secluded clearing, offering a perfect spot for quiet relaxation or private family camping. With no public footpaths, the wood is wonderfully peaceful — an ideal place to unwind and enjoy the sounds of birdsong and wildlife.
There is excellent potential to further enhance biodiversity, including the restoration of two former ponds (see ‘Activities’ below for more details).
Visor Wood is situated approx. 7 miles southwest of Ashford and about 1 mile from the village of Shadoxhurst. It is within the Kent Weald located between the North Downs and Romney Marsh. It is part of a larger wood known as Post Wood which itself forms part of an extensive block of predominantly ancient semi-natural woodland. To the north of Post Wood lies Stone Wood, a small Kent Wildlife Reserve.
Trees
The southern compartment of Visor Wood features a mixture of hornbeam coppice, birch and oak coppice with some willow and aspen in wetter parts. A small pond in the south-west corner offers excellent potential for restoration and habitat enhancement. The northwest of the wood includes older oak and a second pond, presenting further opportunity for enhancement and restoration. Oak feature along western field edge, also old hornbeam pollards and stubs here and the occasional Douglas fir, hawthorn, field maple and holly. The hornbeam and birch could be thinned; the coppiced oak stems could be singled to keep the best stems; and the standard oak trees should be retained where possible.
Woodlands.co.uk are also pleased to offer up to £300 for new owners to attend a woodland related course of their choosing to pursue their woodland interests. We offer support for new woodland owners, including books, subscriptions, introductions to neighbours, advice on local suppliers and money towards relevant training. You can read more about this here: https://www.woodlands.co.uk/owning-a-wood/support/
Visor Wood is classified 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 Post Wood (of which Visor 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. There is a Tree Preservation Order on Post Wood (details of this TPO are available upon request), though this does not prevent normal forest management when covered by a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan.
Wildlife
The woodland has strong potential to support a variety of wildlife, including several bird species such as warblers, woodpeckers and woodcock, with nightingales also possibly present. Bats are likely to inhabit the area and could be encouraged with bat boxes. Creating small clearings would further enhance the habitat, particularly for butterflies like the Grizzled Skipper and White Admiral.
Features
- An extremely private ancient semi-natural mixed broadleaf woodland.
- Field views to the west, privately owned woods to the south, east and north.
- Two small ponds suitable for restoration.
- A small clearing and a rustic bench.
- Stunning bluebells and wood anemone in the spring.
- Quiet and tranquil.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access to Visor Wood is via a byway open to all traffic (BOAT) which leads to the single metal gate (an owner will be provided the combination number for this locked gate). A stoned track leads from the gate to the ride stop entrance to Visor Wood. Here owners are able to drive in and park a car within the wood itself. Please note the byway is stoned for most of its length and suitable for vehicular access, with uneven areas in places.
There are no public footpaths within the woodland itself.
Rights and covenants
The wood is sold with the sporting rights.
As is the case for all our woodlands, the purchaser will be asked to enter into a covenant which serves to protect the peace and quiet of the woodland.Activities
Visor Wood offers a new owner the opportunity to restore the ponds - and enhance their conservational value by removing collapsed trees and reducing overshading. Coppicing around the edges of the ponds would allow more light to reach the water to further help restoration. Private camping and metal detecting are other activities that could be enjoyed in the wood. Or given the supply of hornbeam available in Visor Wood, why not consider learning the art of charcoal making?
Local area and history
The nearest village of Shadoxhurst dates back centuries, with the earliest written record from 1239 when the parish name was spelled 'Schettokesherst'. There are many interesting places to visit within the area; from vineyards to safari parks, historical houses to pubs, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Approx. 8 miles to the west is Biddenden Vineyard – which features a shop and offers tours and tastings at certain times of the year. Port Lympne is approx. 10 miles away - a fantastic safari park which is well worth a visit. South of nearby Tenterden is Smallhythe Place, a 16th-century house and cottage gardens which includes a museum and occasional theatrical productions. Back in Shadoxhurst there is traditional country pub called The Kings Head.
Wood maps
Wood map
Boundaries
The boundaries of the wood are indicated with RED markings. Trees are marked on the western and southern boundaries and chestnut posts on the east facing boundary.
Find this wood
Location
- OS Landranger: OS No. 189
- Grid ref: TQ 962 362
- Nearest post code: TN26 3PP
- GPS coordinates: 51.0924, 0.801905
Location map
Directions
Please note, for satellite navigation, use the post code TN26 3PP. This will take you within approx. 130 yards north of the byway leading to Post Wood (of which Visor Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Visor Wood (off the byway) are: N51.096218, E0.805127. To find the wood follow the instructions below.
Please note the byway is stoned for most of its length and suitable for vehicular access, with uneven areas in places.
Heading south on the M20
- Leave the M20 at Junction 9 and take the 3rd exit to the A20 to Ashford.
- At the first roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Templar Way / A28.
- At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Chart Road / A28.
- At the next 3 roundabouts take the 2nd exits to the Great Chart Bypass / A28.
- Approx. 1 mile further, take Chilmington Green Lane to the left (past the Ashford Gun Room and Clip Clop pet care store).
- Take the first right onto Criol Lane and when you reach the end of this road turn left onto Bethersden Road into the village of Shadoxhurst.
- Turn right onto the Woodchurch Road.
- Follow this road for approx. 1 mile and the byway leading to the wood is situated on the left-hand side of the road.
- You can either park at the end of the byway and walk down the track to reach the wood or drive down the track with due care and consideration.
Heading north from Hastings
- Take the A259 north from Hastings, into Rye.
- Take the A268 out of Rye on Fishmarket Road, briefly onto Rye Road and then fork right on Military Road towards Appledore.
- At Appledore turn left onto The St / B2080 towards Woodchurch.
- Take the Woodchurch Road / Appledore Road to Woodchurch.
- In Woodchurch turn right onto Front Road, shortly after forting right onto Lower Road which turns into Place Lane and then into Shadoxhurst Road.
- After approx. 2 ½ miles you will reach the byway leading to the wood on your right-hand side. You can either park at the end of the byway and walk down the track to reach the wood or drive down the track with due care and consideration.
Once at the byway
- Approx. ¾ mile along the byway you will reach a gate on the right-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on it. Park here if you have driven (being sure to leave enough room for vehicles to pass on the byway), and carefully climb over the gate. Walk approx. 400 meters and the entrance to Visor Wood is on the right-hand side, with its boundaries marked in RED.
Sat Nav note: The post code TN26 3PP 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.
An exceptionally private and tranquil ancient woodland, rich with oak, hornbeam and birch, and featuring two ponds with excellent restoration potential.
