Bailey Wood £119,000 Freehold
- Near Orpington, Kent
- about 5 acres
- South East England
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Mature beech
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The ride stop entrance to Bailey Wood
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The stoned track leading to the wood entrance
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Rustic bench in a clearing
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Dramatic bluebells
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Birch and mixed broadleaves
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Veteran yew
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Fungi
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Autumn sunshine in the wood
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Mixed broadleaves and pine
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Mature beech
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Pine and beech
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Wild cherry
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Bluebells in Spring
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The view across to the City Of London
Description
Bailey Wood is an attractive mixed ancient woodland offering a new owner the rare opportunity to acquire a woodland within the M25, less than 15 minutes’ drive from southeast Greater London.
A rustic bench has been installed in a clearing where a new owner can sit and immerse themselves in this splendid woodland environment. Ground flora include bluebells and Dog’s Mercury, ground ivy and the occasional patch of Butchers Broom. There is minimal bramble which allows one to walk unimpeded throughout the woodland. The bluebell display in Bailey Wood is one of the richest we have seen in the southeast, with the most intense blanket of purple, this really is a remarkable sight.
The wood is surrounded by privately owned woodlands to the north, east and south. There are horse paddocks to the west, across which there are stunning views to the City of London. See ‘Trees’ section below for information about the trees found in this woodland.
The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenantTrees
There are some splendid trees in Bailey Wood – from the fine stand of very large mature Corsican Pine (planted possibly more than 50 years ago), to the veteran beech and yew trees. These trees give the wood a true sense of grandeur.
Beech, Scots pine, the occasional western red cedar (remaining from an older plantation), yew, ash, wild cherry, birch and hazel also feature in the wood.
Bailey Wood has been designated as Ancient Replanted Woodland (PAWS) by Natural England. This is woodland that has been under constant tree cover since at least 1600AD. It is valued as a rich reserve of biodiversity. It is also a SMINC (Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation), a local authority designation where the woodland is noted as ‘An ancient wood where the greater butterfly-orchid grows, a flower which is found in very few places in London’.
There is an approved Management Plan and Felling Licence for Crown Wood (of which Bailey Wood is a part) – details of this are available upon request. The Management Plan is not mandatory, but it is full of good advice, and a lot of background information which will certainly be interesting and useful. There is a Tree Preservation Order on Crown Wood (details of this TPO are available upon request), though this does not prevent normal forest management when covered by a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan.
Wildlife
Bluebells flourish in the Spring in Bailey Wood, as well as other ancient woodland indicator species including Dog’s Mercury, and Butchers Broom.
It is noted in the management plan that there are viable habitats present for Bats, particularly in veteran and ‘future veteran’ trees with cavities or fissures. A wide variety of birds have been recorded locally including Bullfinch, Little Owl and Yellowhammer. A new owner could install some bird and bat boxes and build a simple hide to observe which species are present.
Features
- A mixed ancient mixed woodland situated within the M25.
- Splendid mature trees including beech and Scots pine.
- Rustic bench in a small private clearing.
- Views across paddocks to the City of London.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Bailey Wood is easily accessed from a quiet country lane (Gorse Road), through a locked metal gate (an owner will be provided a key for this locked gate). A stoned track leads to the ride stop entrance to Bailey Wood. A small area of hardstanding allows a new owner to park within the boundary of Bailey Wood itself.
There are no public footpaths within the wood itself. There is a public footpath outside the northwest boundary of the wood (not actually within the woodland itself).
Rights and covenants
The wood is sold with the sporting rights.
The owner of Bailey Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.
Activities
Bailey Wood provides the opportunity for a new owner to engage in family forestry. Managing a woodland and learning bushcraft skills is a great way to escape the trappings of modern life. Building dens and wildlife hides and installing bird and bat boxes are just some examples of outdoor activities can be done here. Other ideas can be found here: https://www.woodlands.co.uk/owning-a-wood
It is worth noting that Woodlands.co.uk offer £300 towards a course for a new owner. Please note the £300 will be available for any course that relates in some way to managing or enjoying a woodland, for example introduction to woodland management, chainsaw training (strongly recommended by us especially if you are likely to use a chainsaw in the woods), bushcraft courses or craft courses such as hurdle making.
Local area and history
Bailey Wood is situated about 3 miles east of Orpington, near Bromley. The nearest train station is at Chelsfield, which is on the main line to London. This is approx. 3 miles (approx. 20 minutes’ cycle) from the wood.
Lullingstone Country Park is situated approx. 3 miles from Bailey Wood and offers over 460 acres of chalk grassland and ancient woodlands. For those who enjoy golf, the 18-hole Lullingstone Park Golf Course is only 1 mile away. For those keen to learn more about wildlife, one of the UKs largest Bird of Prey Centres is only 5 miles away - Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation.
Also, well worth a visit in the early summer – the incredible lavender fields at Castle Farm provide a visual spectacular. There are tours at certain times of the year, and a marvellous farm shop found here castlefarmkent.co.uk
Wood maps
Wood map
Boundaries
The boundaries of the wood are indicated with RED markings.
Find this wood
Location
- OS Landranger: OS No. 188
- Grid ref: TQ 495 655
- Nearest post code: BR5 4EX
- GPS coordinates: 51.3689, 0.147394
Location map
Directions
Please note, for satellite navigation, use the post code BR5 4EX. This will take you to within approx. 0.5 miles of the main entrance gates to Crown Wood (of which Bailey Wood is a part). Coordinates to the main gate leading to Bailey Wood (off Gorse Road) are: N51.367174, E0.147231. To find the wood follow the instructions below.
From the M25
- From Junction 4 off the M25 take the first exit and follow the A21 towards Orpington and Bromley.
- At the first roundabout, take the 4th exit off Hewitts Road.
- Continue straight over at the crossroads (past the Bo-Peep pub) onto Hollybush Lane.
- At the end of this road turn right onto Jubilee Road which then turns into Rock Hill.
- Take the 2nd left onto Well Hill and when you reach a T-junction turn left (this stays as Well Hill but then turns into Skeet Hill Lane).
- When you arrive at a fork in the road, keep right on Gorse Road.
- The entrance to the wood is immediately on the right-hand side after this fork. You will see a metal gate with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on it.
- There is space to park on the edge of the road by the hedge so as not to block the gate.
- Please note this route avoids entering the ULEZ zone.
Once you arrive at the gate:
- Beyond the metal gate, follow the track into the wood for approx. 200 meters.
- The ride stop entrance to Bailey Wood is on the left-hand side of the track with its boundaries marked in RED.
How we support our buyers
Membership of the small woodland owners’ group
£300 for a woodland course of your choice
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 stunning ancient bluebell woodland a stone’s throw from London with a good access track suitable for a family car.
