Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Kemp Wood £135,000 Freehold

  • Hook Green, near Lamberhurst, East Sussex / Kent border
  • about 7 ¾ acres
  • South East England

Description

An established mixed woodland featuring majestic mature oak, mixed broadleaves and towering larch. There is an old logging track providing excellent private access into the wood, several clearings where the sunlight reaches the forest floor and a number of animal trails leading through the undergrowth. The stunning bluebell display in the spring is a fantastic spectacle.

Kemp Wood is part of a larger woodland known as Skents Wood. In recent months a new community of small woodland owners has developed here and the signs of active engagement in this beautiful environment are now in evidence. From newly established clearings and internal tracks to bird and bat boxes on trees, to freshly prepared log piles of winter fuel; this activity is bringing the enjoyment of nature to a new generation of woodland owners.

Kemp Wood 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). The wood is level and easily accessed via a stoned track. There are no public footpaths in or adjoining the wood. It is private and peaceful with private woodlands surrounding all sides of the wood.

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

Trees

The north and west of Kemp Wood comprises mixed broadleaves - mature oak, sweet chestnut and birch. Bluebells flourish on the forest floor in the spring. The south and east of the wood comprises Japanese larch with the occasional Corsican pine, Douglas fir, and Norway spruce. Mature oak are also found among the conifer. The conifer would benefit from thinning to let more light reach the forest floor and the larger trees to thrive. There is a dense cover of laurel and some rhododendron within the wood. Whilst providing a privacy screen, it is noted in the management plan that the rhododendron and laurel should be controlled and eradicated so as to prevent further spread (please note there is no obligation to do so).

Kemp 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 Kemp 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 wide grassy ride on the north boundary provides a fabulous habitat for butterflies and insects. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland. Several bat species have been recorded in the vicinity. Creation and maintenance of open space and improved structural diversity, along with retention of deadwood is likely to enhance habitat for invertebrates and would thus also benefit the bat species. There is much to discover and it would be great to install a trail camera to observe what passes when human visitors are not around.

Features

- Towering larch and magnificent oak.

- Stunning bluebells in the Spring.

- Private and peaceful surrounded by privately owned woodlands.

- A rustic bench set in a clearing – a perfect spot for family camping.

- Level and accessible with a private track within the wood itself.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to Kemp 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 Kemp Wood. Here owners can drive in and park a car within the wood itself. There is an established unstoned track along the north and west boundaries of Kemp Wood and a stoned track runs along the south boundary of the wood.

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

Activities

- A plentiful supply of firewood awaits a new owner.

- There are clearings where a hide could be installed to observe the wildlife, or for private family camping.

- Kemp Wood would provide a new owner the opportunity to commence ancient woodland restoration by gradually thinning the canopy and allowing more light to reach the woodland floor. It is worth noting that Woodlands.co.uk offer £300 towards a course for a new owner. This could provide the opportunity to learn about ancient woodland management, or perhaps an introduction on how to use a chainsaw safely.

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 Kemp 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 Kemp 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 Kemp 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 648 352
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0929, 0.352046

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 Kemp Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Kemp 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 (or alternatively contact Ruth Feltham to arrange access).
  • Walk round the side of the gate and up the track approx. 160 meters to the crossroads.
  • At the crossroads in the track turn right and walk down the stoned track for approx. 200 meters.
  • The entrance to Kemp Wood is on the left-hand side of this track with its boundaries marked in RED.
  • 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 woodland surrounded by private woods on all sides with a variety of deciduous and coniferous tree types and featuring stunning bluebells in the Spring.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]