There are some very stately trees within Woodcock Ley including a few old oaks, an impressive row of beeches (possibly around 150 years old) and some mature Corsican pine on the western boundary. Between these older trees, most of the conifers planted in the 20th century have been removed, around ten years ago, and the wood is regenerating with native broadleaved trees. Birch is particularly successful and the poles are ideal for firewood and den-building. The whole wood is carpeted with bluebells, which are succeeded by midsummer by the cerise spires of foxgloves.

The wood is varied and this in turn supports a wide range of wildlife. The flower filled tracks and glades are filled with butterflies and bees. Birds are everywhere, from tiny wrens, amongst the brambles and wild roses, to woodcock (after which the wood is named) and the owls and buzzards that hunt through the wood and on the field margins, the place is delightful for all nature lovers.

Standing dead pine trunks provide food and nest holes for woodpeckers and there are routes through the wood used by roe deer and brown hare that take cover amongst the birch-brush and bracken.

A deep drain, in which water flows for most of the year, is crossed by a wooden foot-bridge, near the ride-stop, its banks are filled with wild flowers.

A beautiful glade can be found towards the southern tip of the wood, between veteran beech trees and young birch – a great spot to pitch a tent or build a hide. From here there are views out across the pasture land.

The ride-stop entrance to Woodcock Ley is situated along a good stone track on the north-eastern boundary. Another grassy track is within the wood, parallel to the south-eastern boundary, joining to an old route that crosses north-south in the centre of the wood, this is in turn, connected to the footbridge via a cleared path through the trees.

There are no public rights of way within the wood with the exception that the Internal Drainage Board has a right of access to maintain the main drain crossing the wood north-south.

Shooting and mineral rights are included with the sale.

There is a great opportunity to shape the future of this wood, remove some birch while it is a manageable size, expand the bluebell and foxglove-filled glades, plant more native trees and enhance this beautiful mixed woodland, for wildlife value and family forestry.

The wood is part of a larger forest, known as Brafferton Spring is a mixed Planted Ancient Woodland (or PAWS) which means there is evidence that it has been wooded here since, at least, 1600 AD. There is a fascinating 1794 map showing the wood, in roughly the same shape as it is today. Brafferton, derived from ‘broad ford’ was an important crossing point on the River Swale.