SOLD: Slink Wood £89,000 Freehold
- Hook Green, near Lamberhurst, Kent / East Sussex border
- 5 acres
- South East England
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A large glade in the heart of Slink Wood
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The Spring display of bluebells
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A fire by the bench
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A chestnut by the field boundary
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Ancient beech
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Pine, oak, chestnut all feature in Slink Wood
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Pine among the broadleaves
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The ride stop entrance to Slink Wood
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Seasonal stream
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Birch
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Firewood
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Winter sun
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Bracket fungus on an old beech
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Fungus on an old stump
Description
Slink Wood is an ancient broadleaf woodland featuring sweet chestnut, oak, birch, beech and Scots pine. The wood is surrounded by woodlands on three sides and benefits from open field views to the east, which also lets in lots of light. There is a small seasonal stream, and lots of ancient woodland features - from the woodbank within the wood itself and along parts of the east boundary, to flora including hard ferns and bluebells which flourish in the Spring.
There is a large glade in the centre of Slink Wood, easily accessible from the ride stop entrance. Bracken screens the back of the glade where a rustic bench has been installed. In the summer this provides a perfect spot for private family camping. Whilst sitting here you can enjoy watching the butterflies and insects which would no doubt frequent the sunny edges of the clearing.
Slink 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). Slink Wood is part of a larger woodland known as Skents Wood. The wood is easily accessed via a stoned track. There are no public footpaths in or adjoining the wood.
The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenantTrees
Slink Wood is mainly sweet chestnut coppice with oak standards. There are several mature Scots pine towering amongst the broadleaves. Birch also features in the wood and a splendid old beech is found at the edge of the large glade.
The chestnut coppice could be harvested, and the standard oak trees should be retained where possible. When seasoned the chestnut could be used as firewood in a wood burner or a wood-fired boiler to provide your central heating. In the coming years this woodland has enormous potential to provide a steady and sustainable supply of excellent firewood. 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. As noted in the management plan, there is some windblow and some dead stools due to Phytophthora cinnamomi.
The majority of Slink 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 Slink 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. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland. The Woodland Wildlife toolkit suggests that bird species including garden warbler, spotted flycatcher, willow warbler, lesser redpoll, lesser spotted woodpecker and woodcock might be present within the woodland, either breeding or over-wintering. By managing the edges of the glades a new owner can create and maintain a warmer microclimate for invertebrate species (especially bees and butterflies). This will also benefit bat and bird species by providing them with an additional food source.
Features
- An ancient semi-natural mixed woodland within the High Weald AONB.
- A plentiful supply of firewood.
- A small seasonal stream (spring fed).
- Stunning bluebells in the Spring.
- A large glade providing a perfect place for private family camping.
- Extremely peaceful, surrounded by privately owned woodlands on three sides and field views to the east.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access to Slink 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 Slink 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 Slink Wood will be asked to enter a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the wood.
Activities
For those looking for firewood, the areas of birch may benefit from some thinning to allow more light through to the forest floor. It is a good firewood as because it burns well and produces a moderate amount of heat. It splits fairly easy and dries fast once split. In the coming years this woodland has enormous potential to provide a steady and sustainable supply of excellent firewood.
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 Slink 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 Slink 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 Slink 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 648 347
- Nearest post code: TN3 8LR
- GPS coordinates: 51.0883, 0.352928
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 Slink Wood is a part) as shown by the red dot on the map. Coordinates to the gate leading to Slink 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.
- Walk round the side of the gate and up the track approx. 160 meters to the crossroads.
- At the crossroads turn left for approx. 300 meters.
- The entrance to Slink Wood is on the left-hand side of this track with its boundaries marked in ORANGE.
- 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
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£300 for a woodland course of your choice
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One year's free membership of the royal forestry society
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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 mixed broadleaf woodland with sweet chestnut, oak, birch, beech and Scots pine. Private and peaceful this attractive wood offers a plentiful supply of firewood.