Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Ram Wood £99,000 Freehold

Description

Ram Wood is part of a larger well-established woodland known as Skents Wood. There are a variety of tree species suited as a long-term firewood supply. This wood offers a new owner the opportunity to restore the pond - and enhance the conservational value by removing collapsed trees and reducing overshading. Coppicing around the edge of the pond would allow more light to reach the water to further help restoration. There are ancient woodland features - woodbanks and flora including hard ferns and bluebells.

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.

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

Trees

A mixed and varied ancient woodland, Ram Wood features mixed broadleaves (mature oak, sweet chestnut, birch, hazel and ash) and Japanese larch.

The west and east of the wood comprises sweet chestnut coppice with mature oak standards and birch understory in places. Hazel and ash are found in the east side of the wood. The chestnut could be brought back into active coppice management. 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. Japanese larch is found in the middle of the wood with an understory of natural birch regeneration.

The majority of Ram 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 Ram 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 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.

- 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.

Features

- Splendid mature oaks.

- Bluebells and daffodils in the spring.

- Seasonal stream and a pond.

- A rustic bench in a flat clearing among the larch.

- Plentiful supply of firewood for the home.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to Ram 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 Ram Wood. Here owners can drive in and park a car within the wood itself. On old track runs inside the boundary of Ram Wood and reaches the public road. This has not been used for sometime but might potentially be re-established as a private entrance to 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 Ram 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.
- Private family camping in the clearing among the larch and bluebells.
- Building hides and observing the plentiful wildlife.

There are several important historical sites all within a short distance of Ram 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 Ram 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 Ram 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 648 348
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0889, 0.353042

Location map

Directions

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 Ram Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Ram 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. 200 meters until you reach the entrance to Ram Wood on the left-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.

A mixed ancient woodland featuring a small pond, a seasonal stream, woodbanks, field views, bluebells and splendid mature oak.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]