Birch and alder are found in the northwest of the wood, together with oak and sycamore. The southwest of the wood includes oak, birch, alder, sweet chestnut, ash, beech, and sycamore. It is in this area bluebells flourish in the Spring. The ancient trees (of which there are a couple of splendid beech trees) would benefit from halo thinning to allow them to further thrive. The small amount of ash shows some signs of dieback. The mixed broadleaf compartments make up just over 4 acres of Fleece Wood. Post-1987 storm plantations make up the middle / east side, with a band of Norway spruce making up approximately 1 ¼ acres through the middle, and Corsican pine along the east side, making up approximately 3 ½ acres.

Fleece Wood has been designated as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) by Natural England. The management plan notes the conifer compartments should be classified as PAWS. ASNW / PAWS 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 Fleece 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.

This wood is packed with evidence of wildlife. There are abundant animal tracks within the wood and evidence of setts. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland. 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.

• An attractive stream and interesting topography.
• Stunning bluebells in the Spring.
• Field views to the west of the wood, woods surrounding the other sides.
• Private and peaceful set back from the country lane.
• A varied ancient wood packed with evidence of wildlife.

Access to Fleece 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 Fleece Wood. Here owners are able to drive in and park a car within the wood itself.

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

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

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

Fleece Wood is incredibly varied - the stream offers a fantastic opportunity to dig out a small pond, there is a good supply of firewood available, why not set up a small hide to watch the abundant wildlife? A new owner may decide to thin out the conifer and restore the wood to a native ancient woodland by planting more broadleaf species.

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 a number of important historical sites all within a short distance of Fleece 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 Fleece 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 Fleece Wood.