SOLD: Connemara Wood £109,000 Freehold
- Detling, near Maidstone, Kent
- 8 acres
- South East England
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A rustic bench in a sunny private clearing
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Mature oaks amongst the coppice
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The ride stop entrance to Connemara Wood
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The grassy ride within the wood
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Chestnut coppice regrowth
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An old cant marker
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Fern
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Along the western boundary
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Mature sweet chestnut
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Hornbeam
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Private track in the wood
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Younger chestnut coppice
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The stoned track leading to the wood entrance
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Evidence of bluebells
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The main entrance to the woods
Description
Numerous mature oak trees are interspersed between the sweet chestnut coppice in this appealing ancient woodland. An old ride weaves through the trees providing a private access route into the heart of the wood where a rustic bench is found. The trees are of varying species and age (see more in ‘Trees’ below), and together with an interesting topography this unusually shaped wood is packed with character. It is easy to lose track of time as you explore the different areas of the wood, from a clearing around an ancient beech tree to the western sloped side which is abundant with bluebells in Spring.
Connemara Wood is situated about 5 miles north-east of Maidstone in Kent. It is within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is situated in the heart of a larger woodland known as Newlands Wood. It has great access along a stoned track to the southern boundary of the wood. A private grassy track runs though the wood. The whole woodland is within a Kent Wildlife Trust Local Wildlife Site (download the citation and map from here).
The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenantTrees
Connemara Wood is a mixed age sweet chestnut coppice with the younger chestnut reaching full maturity in approx. 9 years. The northwest compartment is ready to be harvested and would make excellent firewood for a wood burner. It could be harvested in a series of small blocks knows as ‘coupes’. The management plan notes that the chestnut in this wood is good quality sweet chestnut coppice, with oak standards, some birch, hornbeam, hazel and holly, especially under oak canopy. Old hornbeam ‘cant’ markers are found within the wood, evidence that this wood has been managed for many years.
Part of Connemara falls within a Tree Preservation Order (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.
Connemara Wood has been designated as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) 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. There is a draft Management Plan for Newlands Wood (of which Connemara Wood is a part) – details of this are available upon request.
Wildlife
A new owner could install some bird boxes and build a simple hide to observe which species are present. The Woodland Wildlife toolkit suggests the range of bird species including garden warbler, hawfinch, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler, lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker, tree pipit, marsh tit and woodcock might be present within the woodland.
Features
- An ancient mixed woodland within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Bluebells flourishing in the Spring.
- Rustic bench in a small private clearing – a perfect spot for family camping.
- Good quality chestnut coppice providing a lifetime supply of firewood.
- Great access and a convenient shared timber stacking area to facilitate the management of the wood.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access to Connemara Wood is via double metal gates off Court Lane (an owner will be provided a key for this locked gate). A stoned track leads to the ride stop entrance to Connemara Wood. Here owners are able to drive in and park a car within the wood itself. A convenient timber stacking area by the main gates will be shared with other woodland owners here.
There are no public footpaths within the wood.
Rights and covenants
The wood is sold with the sporting rights.
The owner of Connemara Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.
Activities
A fantastic family wood - great for camping and numerous outdoor activities. Connemara Wood provides the opportunity for a new owner to manage a coppice wood and to learn and practice green woodworking. It is worth noting that Woodlands.co.uk offer £300 towards a course for a new owner. In the coming years this woodland has enormous potential to provide a steady and sustainable supply of excellent firewood. Whatever woodland project most appeals, new owners can be assured that there is a wealth of local knowledge from forestry contractors and existing woodland owners.
Local area and history
The wood is approx. 1 mile from the Kent Showground, home to the annual Kent County Show. Held in July, this well-established show includes animals, horses, vintage vehicles and retail stands for a celebration of the best in the county. Maidstone is approximately 5 miles south-west of the wood. The North Downs Way is accessible approx. 1 mile from the wood.
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 805 608
- Nearest post code: ME14 3HF
- GPS coordinates: 51.3182, 0.589627
Location map
Directions
Please note, for satellite navigation, use the post code ME14 3HF. This will take you to within approx. 0.5 miles of the main entrance gates to Newlands Wood (of which Connemara Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the main gates leading to Connemara Wood (off Court Lane) are: N51.313599, E0.584996. To find the wood follow the instructions below.
- Leave the M20 at Junction 7 head north on the A249, Detling Hill / Sittingbourne Road.
- Pass under the pedestrian bridge (Jade’s Bridge) and after approx. 0.5 mile take the right turn onto Scragged Oak Road.
- Continue for approx. 1 mile (past the Kent Showground) until you reach Court Lane on your left. Turn down this road and continue for approx.350 meters.
- You will reach a set of double metal gates on the right-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on it.
Once you arrive at the gates:
- Park in front of the metal gates (leaving space for people to get in and out the gates) and walk round the side of the gate and up the track.
- Follow the main stoned track for approx. 500 meters. (You will pass a turning to the right but walk past this). At the fork take the right fork along the stoned track for approx. 200m.
- The ride stop entrance to Connemara Wood is on the left-hand side of the track with its boundaries marked in MAUVE.
- Sat Nav note: The post code ME14 3HF is for the point shown on the location map by the red dot.
How we support our buyers
Membership of the small woodland owners’ group
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£300 for a woodland course of your choice
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One year's free membership of the royal forestry society
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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 varied ancient woodland with interesting topography located amongst privately owned woods.