Bramley Meadow lies in the High Weald close to the village of Benenden, offering a wonderful opportunity for those who are interested in conserving and improving this quiet corner of Kent through tree planting, rewilding and other biodiversity projects. Lying on the site of a former apple orchard, the ground is suited to the planting of broadleaved, coniferous or fruit trees. Any planting would augment the ancient woodland which can be found close by, a practise encouraged by the Forestry Commission. New woodland would extend habitats for wildlife and create corridors through which animals can travel, whilst also playing an important role in carbon offsetting, contributing to our collective battle to reverse the effects of an ever-changing climate.

The land itself is formed by two sections of open land which are joined in the middle by a belt of deciduous woodland. The trees which already stand will provide a valuable seed source for natural regeneration, whilst also offering diversity to the parcel and shelter for woodland mammals such as badgers, which are active in the local area. In the middle of the woodland lies a pond in excellent condition, which provides a vital habitat for a plethora of wildlife including insects, aquatic plants, amphibians, birds and other pondlife.

From the entrance at the eastern boundary of the meadow, the open land stretches out before you in a westerly direction as you head towards the woodland belt which runs north to south. A line of stakes mark the northern boundary. After making your way through the woodland, a second section of meadowland opens out before you, stretching all the way to a second smaller pond on the western boundary. A thick run of broadleaved trees marks the northern boundary of the second open section.

The land is almost entirely flat in nature, with only a very gentle gradient from east to west and has had prior agricultural use in recent years as a part of Apple Pie Farm. Prior to that the land was once a substantial orchard, as can been seen on old ordnance survey maps of the local area, until the apple trees were removed around 30 years ago. It will be pleasing to see trees returned to where they once stood under new stewardship.

Bramley Meadow would appeal to those who are looking for a mixed parcel of private land, offering the chance to both enjoy the existing habitats and foster new ones through conservation work.

In their eagerness to preserve this meadow, and as recognition of its value, the local council have given it an extra level of protection by including it within an Article 4 area, which means that it is protected from unsympathetic development. You can read more about that here.

The purchasers of the meadow will be asked to enter into a covenant