Farm land for sale

A superb block of mainly deciduous woodland alongside the River Dart with 870ft of river frontage.

Situation - Stoke Gabriel is a popular and sought-after village which lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the head of a creek on the River Dart about four miles south-east of Totnes. The older part of the village is in a conservation area near the River and Mill Pool and much of the area is a Coastal Preservation Area. The village has good facilities including a church, primary school, pre-school [2 to 5 yrs], village hall, post office, general stores and two public houses.

Buyers see Stoke Gabriel as a lifestyle choice for the amenities that it offers and a thriving strong family social life and community spirit, with boating, canoeing and river trips on the River Dart on the doorstep. The village boating association provides RYA sailing training for children and a year round calendar of boating events.

Description - The Woodland extends to almost 5.4 acres and is located adjoining the northern bank of the River Dart. The woodland being sold forms a central portion of South Downs Wood and is a mixture of ancient and managed woodland. The ancient part is between the old carriage drive and the foreshore and contains numerous oaks, many of which overhang the foreshore. This portion has a variety of broadleaved trees with the upper and larger portion of the central section a mixture of native deciduous species, mainly ash.

Historical Note - The wood is named after South Downs House, a nineteenth century, stone-built house which is located nearby. It is probable that most if not all of the wood belonged to Sandridge Park at some point, as the old carriage drive that provides access from the highway at Byter Mill Lane originally led to Sandridge Park, built in 1805. In modern times the majority of the wood (including the portion that is for sale) was part of the land attached to Greenacres, the former head gardener's lodge and adjacent walled garden. The old carriage drive was built as a scenic drive for, mainly, the lady of the house and guests.

Some of the mature trees bear the marks of WWII since the whole of the Dart estuary was massively involved in preparations for the D-Day landings and the nearby Sandridge Park estate was commandeered by US forces. Some of them inscribed their initials in the smooth bark of the larger beech trees and they are still visible today.

Viewings - Viewings will be conducted by Stags on various viewing days. Whilst the owners enjoy a vehicular right of way to the woodland, viewers are requested to park near Stoke Gabriel Quay and walk across the dam to the foreshore below the woodland and walk along to the middle section which is being sold. Viewings are therefore impractical at times of high water. Please call Totnes sales office on[use Contact Agent Button].

Access - The woodland will be offered with a right of way from Byter Mill lane in Stoke Gabriel and through the main block of woodland. The track is narrow and not suitable for most vehicles. Please access the woodland on foot as described in the viewings section.