Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Crimp Wood £99,000 Freehold

Description

A delightfully private wood, a place to immerse in nature and escape the trappings of the modern world. It features a seasonal stream and field views to the east. The short southern boundary is along a wide grassy ride which allows lots of sunshine into the wood. This is the perfect spot to sit in a summer evening and watch the birds, butterflies and insects.

It is situated about 2 ½ miles southwest from the village of Lamberhurst, on the Kent / East Sussex border. It is within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Crimp Wood is part of a larger woodland known as Skents Wood. The wood is easily accessed via a stoned track There are no public footpaths in or adjoining the wood.

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

Trees

Crimp Wood is an established mixed broadleaf woodland featuring sweet chestnut, oak, birch, alder, hazel, holly and beech. The northeast side of the wood comprises mature oak with an understorey of birch natural regeneration and some mature sweet chestnut coppice. There are also patches of alder found along the stream edges. Chestnut pollards are found along the field boundary. The south and west side of the wood comprises mature sweet chestnut coppice, with occasional oak standards. The chestnut could be brought back into active coppice management as a sequence of approx. 0.5 hectare coupes. Of course, it will conveniently regrow.

Crimp Wood has been designated as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) by Natural England. ASNW is woodland that has been under constant tree cover since at least 1600AD. It is valued as a rich reserve of biodiversity. There is an approved Management Plan and Felling Licence for Skents Wood (of which Crimp 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.

Wildlife

The management plan notes that bird species including garden warbler, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler, lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker and woodcock might be present within the woodland. It is also noted that bat species will be present and will make use of the woodland and open areas within it for foraging. There is plenty of opportunity to enhance the habitat for wildlife here, from the simple provision of bird and bat boxes to the management of the tree cover and ground flora. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland.

Features

Crimp Wood is extremely peaceful, surrounded by privately owned woodlands on three sides and fields to the east. It features some splendid mature oaks and delivers a stunning display of bluebells in the Spring. The wood also provides a plentiful supply of firewood. A rustic bench has been installed in a clearing amongst the oaks and broadleaves – the perfect place for private family camping.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to Crimp Wood is via a set of double metal gates off Free Heath Road (an owner will be provided the combination number for these locked gates). A stoned track leads to the ride stop entrance to Crimp Wood. Here owners can drive in and park a car within the wood itself.

There are no public footpaths within the wood or adjoining the wood.

Rights and covenants

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

The owner of Crimp Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.

Activities

It is worth noting that Woodlands.co.uk offer £300 towards a course for a new owner. This would provide the opportunity to learn the skills required to resume coppicing in the future. The sweet chestnut would provide a good source of firewood, or durable timber for making posts. Alternatively, an owner could encourage a more varied and diverse wood to develop by ‘singling’ the chestnut and planting mixed native broadleaves. You can read more about this in our blog. The oaks may benefit from halo thinning, by felling a few trees immediately adjacent to them to allow more light to reach the main crown. Of course, the wood also lends itself to family camping or simply allows a new owner to observe and enjoy the wildlife.

Local area and history

The management plan suggests that during the 16th and 17th centuries Skents Wood would have provided important fuel wood for the many iron furnaces then present in the vicinity. It seems likely that what would have originally been oak woodland with hornbeam coppice was converted to mainly sweet chestnut coppice in the late 19th century (as there are not many very large coppice stools in evidence). It is understood that the woodland previously formed part of the Bayham Abbey estate of the Marquess of Camden, which was broken up in the 1990s.

There are several important historical sites all within a short distance of Crimp Wood. The English Heritage site of Bayham Abbey is approx. 3 miles north and features ruins dating back to the 13th century. Scotney Castle is approx. 3 miles away – this impressive 14th century moated castle is well worth a visit. For those who love water, Bewl Water is only 4 miles from Crimp Wood and offers various water sports, as well as cycling and fishing. There is a 15th century pub called The Elephants Head in Hook Green, walking distance from Crimp 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 649 355
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0953, 0.353467

Location map

Directions

Please note, for satellite navigation, use the post code TN3 8LR. This will take you approx. 0.7 miles north of the entrance to Skents Wood (of which Crimp Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Crimp Wood (off Free Heath Road) are: N51.090412, E0.354804. To find the wood follow the instructions below.

Heading south on the A21

  • Heading south past the exits for Royal Tunbridge Wells and Pembury, continue heading south until you reach the roundabout at Kipping’s Cross.
  • Go straight over at Kipping’s Cross and continue straight over at the next roundabout (this is the turning to the BP garage and Burger King).
  • After approx. 1 mile take the first turning on the right onto Clay Hill Road - signposted ‘Hook Green’.
  • Follow Clay Hill Road approx. 2 miles south to the crossroads in Hook Green (where The Elephants Head pub is).
  • Continue straight over the crossroads onto Free Heath Road and follow this for approx. 0.7 mile until you reach a set of double metal gates on the right-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on them.

Heading north from Hastings on the A21

  • Follow the A21 heading north out of Hastings.
  • At Flimwell (about 16 miles from Hastings) stay on the A21 (crossing straight over the B2087) towards Lamberhurst.
  • After approx. 3.5 miles you reach a roundabout, take the first exit on to the B2169 (signposted Lamberhurst, Frant and Wadhurst).
  • Shortly after, take the first turn left signposted to Frant (and the Brown Trout Pub). This follows the B2169.
  • Continue through Lamberhurst Down on the B2169 (Furnace Lane) and once out of the village after about 1 mile, take the first left turn onto Neills Road. After about 1 mile this reaches a crossroad. Take the right turn onto Free Heath Road.
  • Continue 0.3 miles until you reach a set of double metal gates on the left-hand side with a ‘Woodlands for Sale’ sign on them.

Once you arrive at the gate:

  • Park in front of the double metal gates (to the right-hand side) ensuring there is space for the gates to be accessed by vehicles.
  • Walk round the side of the gate and up the track approx. 160 meters to the crossroads.
  • At the crossroads turn right for approx. 400 meters until you reach a wide ride crossing the track. Continue straight on.
  • The entrance to Crimp Wood is on the right-hand side of this track with its boundaries marked in BLUE.
  • Sat Nav note: The post code TN3 8LR 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

£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.

An ancient mixed broadleaf woodland offering a new owner the opportunity to manage a small chestnut coppice wood. Situated away from roads and public footpaths, this wood provides a plentiful supply of firewood.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]