Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Pen Wood £145,000 Freehold

Description

Pen Wood is a wood where it is possible to spend hours exploring and discovering new areas and features, from following animal tracks within the woods, to climbing across the stream at the bottom of the gully, to navigating between the ponds. When exploring ends, why not sit among the magnificent oaks and bluebells on a newly installed rustic bench and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

This wood offers a new owner the opportunity to restore a series of ponds. The conservational value could be enhanced by removing collapsed trees and reducing overshading. Coppicing the chestnut around the edge of the ponds would allow more light to reach the water to further help restoration. Ducks have been spotted on these ponds. There are ancient woodland features in the wood - flora including hard ferns and bluebells. Pen Wood comprises mainly broadleaves (sweet chestnut, birch, oak, ash, alder, and beech) with the occasional conifer (Norway spruce, European larch, and Scots pine).

Situated within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Kent / East Sussex border, this ancient woodland is packed with attractive features and abundant wildlife. It is located about 2 ½ miles southwest from the village of Lamberhurst. Pen Wood is part of a larger well-established woodland known as Skents Wood.

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

Trees

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.

Wildlife

  • 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.

Features

- 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, tracks and footpaths

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.

Rights and covenants

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.

Activities

- 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.

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.

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 647 350
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0908, 0.351623

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 Pen Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Pen 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 turn left for approx. 150 meters until you reach the entrance to Pen Wood on the right-hand side of this track with its boundaries marked in MAUVE.
  • 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.

Featuring a series of ponds, a stream, field views, bluebells, and magnificent mature oak this mixed ancient woodland has lots to offer a new owner.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]