SOLD: Marble Meadow £65,000 Freehold
- Benenden, Kent
- nearly 3 ¼ acres
- Tree planting land South East England
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Autumnal colours adorn Marble Meadow
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The meadow is located in a serene corner of the High Weald
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Neighbouring trees frame the northern boundary of the meadow
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Looking across to the neighbouring Benenden Wood
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The land is ideal for planting new woodland
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Hedgerows provide important habitats for wildlife
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The pond in the north west corner
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Natural water provide a range of opportunities for conservation
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Afternoon sun catches the water
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The view through the vegetation surrounding the pond
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The open land beyond
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A small ride separates the pond from the main meadow
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Down in the grass
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Looking along the northern boundary
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Natural regeneration around the perimter of the open land
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A quiet retreat from the outside world
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Name plate
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Hardstanding at the entrance
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Access track
Description
Marble Meadow is manageable parcel of private land filled with potential. Found on the site of a former apple orchard, the land has been used agriculturally for the past 40 years as a part of Apple Pie Farm. It now offers the opportunity to a new owner to populate the land with trees once more.
The neighbouring ancient woodland, Benenden Wood, make it an ideal place to plant trees. The Forestry Commission highly encourages the extension of existing woodland, enabling the dynamic habitats already in place to expand beyond their current boundaries. The agricultural practises of ploughing, tiling and mowing naturally inhibit the process of diversification, but given half the chance the land will soon return to a more natural state. This would happen all on its own given the abundant seed source in the vicinity and could be accelerated with active tree planting of native British broadleaves.
The land is accessed via a track which terminates in the eastern section where lies an area of hardstanding. From here, the open land stretches out to the west in a broadly square shape, with hedgerows demarcating the western and northern boundaries, whilst a line of stakes forms the southern boundary. The pond in the north west corner of the meadow is a dream for those interested in wildlife conservation – it is a honeypot for insects, birds, amphibians, fish and mammals. The fringe of vegetation around its banks provides plant cover for amphibians and insects with terrestrial life stages.
Marble Meadow would be of interest to those who are looking to own their own quiet corner of the Garden of England to protect and nurture, whilst having a place to spend time and be closer to nature. The diversity of the meadow, with open land for planting, a pond and well established hedgerows make it an ideal canvas upon which a new custodian could bring their vision to life.
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 covenantFeatures
- Very quiet and private location
- Neighbours ancient woodland
- Open land ideal for tree planting
- Well established pond
Access, tracks and footpaths
The land is accessed via a track along which a full right of way will be granted. The meadow comes with freehold title and there are no public rights of way across the land.
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 791 340
- Nearest post code: TN17 4ET
- GPS coordinates: 51.0777, 0.556413
Location map
Directions
Marble 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.
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 route on the maps, which will take you right at the poplar trees and then left at the next turn. Marble Meadow is at the end of this track 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 serene meadow tucked away in a quiet corner of the High Weald near Benenden. The pond and extensive neighbouring woodland make it an ideal spot to plant new trees.
