Woodlands.co.uk

SOLD: Shepherd's Ward Wood £95,000 Freehold

Description

Shepherd’s Ward Wood is an ancient woodland situated within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Kent / East Sussex border. It is located about 2 ½ miles southwest from the village of Lamberhurst. Shepherd’s Ward Wood is part of a larger well-established woodland known as Skents Wood.

Bluebells flourish in spring and there are glades which would make wonderful spots for private family camping. A rustic style bench has been installed in a clearing amongst mature chestnut standards. A woodbank runs partly along the west boundary. This is an ancient woodland feature.

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

Trees

Shepherd’s Ward Wood comprises mainly broadleaves (sweet chestnut, hazel, birch, oak) with the occasional conifer (European larch, Norway spruce, and Scots pine). 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 of the sweet chestnut in the future. Some chestnut stems have windblown, which could be processed for fuel for heating the home.

Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward 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 management plan notes that bird species including garden warbler, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler, lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker and woodcock might be present within the woodland. It is also noted that bat species will be present and will make use of the woodland and open areas within it for foraging. 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. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland.

Features

- An ancient semi-natural mixed woodland within the High Weald AONB.

- Splendid mature oaks and plenty of sweet chestnut providing a good supply of firewood for the home.

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

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

Access, tracks and footpaths

Access to Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood. Here owners can drive in and park a car within the wood itself. There is a 2nd unstoned access track from a single gate to the south 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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.

Activities

Owning a wood is a great opportunity for a new owner to learn about woodland management. Practicing bushcraft, spotting birds, camping privately with family and friends or simply immersing in nature – there is lots on offer in this charming wood.

There are several important historical sites all within a short distance of Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward 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 647 347
  • Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
  • GPS coordinates: 51.0886, 0.351401

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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Shepherd’s Ward 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 Shepherd’s Ward Wood on the right-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 attractive varied ancient woodland featuring mixed broadleaves and the occasional conifer. Field views to the west and stoned tracks leading to the wood providing great all year-round access.

Managed by Ruth and James Feltham

Telephone: 07812 165081

Email: [email protected]