Beechcroft Meadow is located just outside the small village of Blakeney in The Forest of Dean and is within easy reach of Gloucester, Chepstow, Monmouth and the surrounding Wye Valley. The land encompasses both open meadowland perfectly suited to the planting of new trees, as well as a woodland fringe in its eastern section, which is bordered on two sides by a gently flowing stream. This highly sought after combination of habitats makes this land a rare find.

The meadow is accessed via a stone track directly from the A48 providing year round vehicular access to the land. One enters at the western section onto a small area of hardstanding where a vehicle can be parked. From here the open land stretches out westwards in a broadly rectangular shape with the northern and southern boundaries formed by well-established hedgerows punctuated with mature trees. A small stream criss crosses the northern boundary providing a valuable water resource. The land itself has been cut for hay and grazed by livestock in recent years, formerly being part of a dairy farm. The pastures are lush and the ground in good condition.

Walking away from the entrance across the meadow, one approaches the woodland fringe which extends the parcel of land in a westerly direction down to a stream at the bottom which forms the western boundary. The wooded area is a rich and dynamic habitat formed in the main by mature Oak and Ash trees with a vibrant understory. Come spring time a carpet of bluebells adorns the woodland floor.

As well as a useful resource for timber, the woodland is a diverse habitat home to various wildlife, including deer and badgers which are active in the local area. The Forestry Commission highly encourages the planting of new trees next to existing woodland as it can accelerate the establishment of woodland ecosystems. Tree seeds from nearby woodland and hedgerows will be blown onto the land or carried in by animals (a process called “natural colonisation”), which can provide valuable additions – from a tried-and-tested source – to your own planting. Having woodland and hedgerows close at hand will also give you a leg-up in the quest for biodiversity. It is estimated that a single jay can plant thousands of acorns in a month, typically carrying them to cache for the winter much further than wood mice and grey squirrels.

The meadow would be a perfect fit for anyone who is looking to plant trees for either conservation or amenity purposes, with the benefit of a natural water resource and some established woodland. The land could be also be used to formally offset carbon emissions. Beechcroft Meadow occupies a quiet and peaceful corner of Gloucestershire, offering a place to which one can retreat and spend time in the natural world.

In terms of finding the meadow, when heading south on the A48 from Gloucester towards the village of Blakeney, there is a “Woodlands” for sale signboard on your left shortly before the road ‘S’ bends sharply into Blakeney village. About 150m after the for sale sign, and about 50m beyond the ‘Blakeney village sign” is the main entrance to the site on the left hand side. Please park here and carefully climb the gate and follow the green route along the track on the wood map to find the entrance to the meadow. It is at the very end of the track on the right hand side.

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