Pen Wood comprises mainly broadleaves (sweet chestnut, birch, oak, ash, alder, and beech) with the occasional conifer (Norway spruce, European larch, and Scots pine).

The north of the wood features sweet chestnut coppice with some birch natural regeneration. There is the occasional mature oak standard, Scots pine and European larch. There is a series of large pits/ponds with some alder around the pond edges, and intermittent ash along field boundary (which are showing signs of ash dieback). An interesting gully in the northwest of the wood includes a stream, sycamore on the bank and evidence of various animal activity.

The south of the wood features mature oak woodland with sweet chestnut, a mixture of single stem and coppice. Also, occasional mature large European larch, Norway spruce and Scots pine. Some chestnut stems have windblown, which could be processed for fuel for heating the home.

The majority of Pen 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 Pen 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.
• Ducks have been seen on the ponds, and no doubt this water attracts various wildlife.
• Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland. They often lie low until breaking cover only when disturbed, providing thrilling woodland encounters at close quarters on occasion.
• The tree canopy hosts a variety of birdlife that includes buzzards and lesser spotted woodpeckers.
• It is also noted that bat species will be present and will make use of the woodland and open areas within it for foraging.

- Quiet and private.

- Multiple ponds.

- Splendid mature oaks.

- Field views along the west facing boundaries, letting in lots of light

- Seasonal stream in an interesting ‘gully’.

- A rustic bench in a flat clearing among the oaks and bluebells.

- Plentiful supply of firewood for the home.

Access to Pen 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 Pen 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.

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

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

- Pond restoration.

- Harvesting chestnut for firewood.

- Building hides and observing the plentiful wildlife

- Private family camping in the clearing among the oaks and bluebells.

There are several important historical sites all within a short distance of Pen 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 Pen 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 Pen Wood.

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.