SOLD: Grange Close Wood £109,000 Freehold
- Brafferton, near Boroughbridge and Easingwold, North Yorkshire
- just over 6 ¾ acres
- Northern England
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Sunlight along a woodland path
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Young oaks in a bracken-filled glade
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Bluebells in springtime
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A characterful oak, close to the track
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Looking north along the track, Grange Close Wood is to the right
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Huge native ferns can be found
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An old extraction route provides a vista
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The ride-stop entrance
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A path through rhododendron bushes
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There are pockets where oak trees were planted around 15 years ago
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A small clearing
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A bench is located near an oak tree. A good spot for a camp?
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Fungus on a stump
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Planted native trees
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In some areas young birch is dense. It makes excellent firewood for camping
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Woodland ferns
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Towards the eastern edge, there are some more mature trees
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Its quite easy to cut paths through the bracken
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Birch and oak
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Autumn sunlight
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In some areas the birch has been thinned
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At the eastern end of the wood
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Trees near the eastern boundary with bluebells beneath
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Blackthorn flowers in the hedgerow in spring = sloes in the autumn
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Standing deadwood, visited by woodpeckers
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A holly tree amongst the birches
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Taller oak trees
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A larger oak
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Mossy logs and sunlight
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The bench in early spring
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Bluebells
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The fresh greens of spring
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The main wood gate
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Description
Grange Close Wood is part of Brafferton Spring and is classed as a ‘Planted Ancient Woodland Site’ or PAWS, which means this site has been wooded since 1600 (and probably much longer). We have a fascinating map from 1794 which shows the wood boundaries in almost the same shape as they are today.
The wood was plantation but most of the conifers were removed over 20 years ago, lots of birch has naturally regenerated and there are oak trees with protective guards that have been planted in groups, alongside bracken-filled glades. In some areas, particularly close to the track, running up the eastern boundary, thickets of rhododendron provide evergreen privacy and cover for wildlife but the new owner may wish to cut this back altogether.
There are clear routes through the woodland and areas where the birch has been managed to favour the planted trees; there’s plenty more thinning that could be done that would yield a great source of logs for the fire. Seasoned birch makes brilliant firewood and the peeling paper-like bark is good tinder for getting a fire started too.
Towards the eastern edge, there are some individual mature pine and oak trees along with some taller sycamore. These are popular perches for the buzzards who are about most days. Tawny owls are also often heard calling, especially at dusk but sometimes in the daytime too. Along sections of the eastern boundary, where the wood adjoins farm fields, there is blackthorn hedge and blackberry bushes. The tall trees might be a great location for a tawny owl nest box.
Goldcrests, Britain’s smallest bird, can often be spotted seeking insects in the crowns of the trees, it’s a treat to see them – but more common are long tailed, coal, blue and great tits along with chiff chaffs blackbirds and wrens.
Roe deer frequently pass through and like to make their beds on the drier ground amongst the bracken, there are defined paths where they regularly cross the wood.
There’s a great number of invertebrates too, the butterflies and bees are conspicuous amongst the wild flowers along the tracks, paths and clearings but slightly more overlooked are the huge diversity of moths, hundreds of species have been recorded in the wider wood and some are rare in Yorkshire.
The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenantTrees
A few mature pines and oaks but also lots of silver birch, young planted oaks, a few sycamores and sallows.
Wildlife
Woodland birdlife is abundant from buzzards and tawny owls, blackbirds, jays and tree creepers, down to the tiny gold crests, wrens, finches and tits that come through the wood in little feeding flocks.
With the help of a trail camera, you may well record roe deer, brown hare, fox and badger. There are clues to the mammals that pass through in footprints and signs left behind.
Features
The wood has different characteristics at each turn; sometimes light, airy and open-feeling, to small glades or clearings enclosed by birch and rhododendron – one such glade, next to a characterful oak tree, has a rustic bench for you to take in the serenity of the surroundings.
A few seasonally wet drains cross the wood, connecting in with the drain alongside the track.
Access, tracks and footpaths
The wood is reached via a good stone track which runs the full length of the western boundary and there is space to park a vehicle at the ride-stop entrance, off this track.
From the ride-stop, a path leads through the trees, on a circular route, with a central cross-route that connects north to south in the middle. It would be easy to make additional routes through the bracken between the trees.
Rights and covenants
The sporting and mineral rights are included in the sale
There are no public rights of way within the wood.
Activities
Grange Close Wood could be managed for conservation and to enhance wildlife value. Perhaps carrying out selective thinning of some more of the birches and replanting with native hardwood trees, expanding glades or creating a wildlife hide.
The wood would also suit occasional family camping or bushcraft activities being accessible on level ground with an abundance of firewood logs and kindling. Birch also makes great charcoal.
Local area and history
The Boroughbridge area is steeped in history. When the Romans settled the north of England they established a major centre at Aldborough, on the route of a long-distance road known as Dere Street. When the Normans conquered the same area some 1100 years later they changed the course of Dere Street to cross the River Ure at a more convenient spot. A settlement grew up around the bridge and this new settlement became the town of Boroughbridge, from the words 'borough on the bridge'.
To the west of Boroughbridge are the so-called Devil's Arrows; three huge prehistoric standing stones.
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. 99
- Grid ref: SE 459 717
- Nearest post code: YO61 2SE
- GPS coordinates: 54.1393, -1.2983
Location map
Directions
Just 20 miles from York, 15 miles from Ripon, 26 miles from Harrogate and 6 miles from Boroughbridge.
For Directions From Bing Maps CLICK HERE, enter your own postcode (wood entrance coordinates are already entered) and click on the blue "Go" box.
For Satnav; the postcode YO61 2SE is for the point shown by the red dot on the location map and coordinates are: N54:07:54 and W1:17:58
Or use our directions:
From the A1
- Exit the A1 at junction 48 and follow signs Ripon and Dishforth on to the A 6055
- At the next roundabout take the third exit on to Roecliffe Lane.
- Follow this road until you give way at a T junction and then turn left.
- Continue over the river and at the canal bridge roundabout take the second exit.
- Take the first right turn to Milby.
- Continue on this road until required to give way at a T junction and then turn right over Thornton bridge.
- Continue along this road into Brafferton and at the give way T junction turn left.
- Follow West Moor Road for about 1 mile until you reach the Woodlands for Sale sign on the left.
From York via the A19:-
- Just after the Easingwold roundabout take the left turn signed for Raskelf / Tholthorpe / Helperby
- Follow the road into Raskelf and at the cross roads in the centre of Raskelf turn right on to West Moor Road.
- Follow West Moor Road until you reach the Woodlands for Sale sign on your right.
Please park near to our gate but please do leave it clear for access.
- Climb the gate and walk along the access track for about 300 metres.
- Where the track forks, after the hut near the entrance, continue straight on and follow the main track for another 450m
- The entrance to Grange Close Wood is here, on your right.
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 tranquil, broadleaved woodland with plenty of wildlife and good access, on a planted ancient woodland site.
