Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Bramley Meadow £115,000 Freehold

Description

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

Features

- Two sections of open land for tree planting and rewilding

- Woodland fringe with extensive habitats for wildlife

- Superb pond in the middle of the woodland

- Private land with no public rights of way

Rights and covenants

The meadow comes with freehold title and there are no public rights of way across the land. The meadow is subject to the standard tree planting covenant.

Local area and history

Benenden is one of the Wealden 'dens' that commemorate the Saxon practice of appending forest clearings in the sprawling Andredsweald (the Weald) to their coastal manors. These clearings, or dens, were where the manor pigs rooted for the acorns and other 'pannage' on which they were fattened and from which timber and brushwood was collected.

Following the Norman Conquest, the manor of Benenden was given by William the Conqueror to his half-brother, the Bishop of Bayeux. The village was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of only four villages in the Weald to have a Church. It is reffered to as Benendine, its etymology originating from the Old English 'Bynna' meaning 'wooded pasture'.

From around the 14th century, Benenden became a place of indsutrial significance, most notably for the Wealden Ironmasters who contributed to the prosperity of the village.

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. 188
  • Grid ref: TQ 792 338
  • Nearest post code: TN17 4ET
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0755, 0.557759

Location map

Directions

Bramley Meadow is accessed via a metalled road, and then track, which lead from from the B2086, Mounts Hill.

Click here for Bing Maps directions, enter your own postcode, (the location coordinates are already entered), and click on the "Directions" box. This will take you to the field gate at the entrance to the site. Please park about 50m further along by the large poplar trees, and thereafter follow the maps. The meadow will be in front of you on the left hand side.

Coordinates for satnav are: 51° 04' 31.2" N, 0° 33' 33.7" E for the field gate.

Satnav: the postcode TN17 4ET is the nearest to the meadow, but please note that this will take you to Mounts Hill, and not the specific entrance.

Directions:

In terms of finding the meadow, when heading along the Cranbrook Road and then Mounts Hill (both the B2086) from the Cranbrook / Swattenden direction towards Benenden, you need to look out for a turning on your left hand side signposted for Mounts Farm. There is also a small post-box in the hedge on the other side of the turning to the sign. This turning is the last turning to the left off the B2086 before you reach the signs for Benenden Village, where the speed limit is reduced to 40mph. Head all the way to the end of this metalled road, which is around 0.5km. At this point, the road turns into a wooded track, continue along here and pass through the field gate before parking by the large poplar trees at the end. Please then walk following the green highlighted. The meadow will be in front of you on the left hand side.

How we support our buyers

Membership of the small woodland owners’ group

EITHER £300 for a woodland course of your choice

OR £300 contribution towards buying trees, tree shelters or stakes

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 glorious meadow in the High Weald, formed of two sections of open land which are bridged by a belt of broadleaved woodland in the middle where a fabulous pond can be found. The meadow lies on the site of a former Apple Orchard.

Managed by Anton Baskerville

Telephone: 07952 694 652

Email: [email protected]