Woodland for sale

Boat Wood is an Ancient Semi-natural Woodland (ASNW) as designated by Natural England - a habitat that has remained continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. Such woodlands are treasured for their exceptional biodiversity. Part of the wider Brogues Wood landscape, Boat Wood is embraced by open meadows to the east and companion woodlands to the south and northeast. This is an attractive ancient oak woodland featuring other broadleaf species (see ‘Trees’ section below).

The wood is situated approx. 3km south-west of Biddenden and 4km north-east of Benenden in the county of Kent. A private stoned track on the edge of open meadows provides access to the wood. There is a place for a new owner to park within the boundary of the wood itself. There is stock fencing along the edge of the woodland (from when livestock were previously grazing the meadows). A short section of fencing has been opened up to allow easy access into the woodland.

Trees

Boat Wood is an oak woodland with birch, beech, sweet chestnut, hazel and hornbeam. A draft Woodland Management Plan for Brogues Wood (of which Boat Wood is a part) is available upon request. There is a Tree Preservation Order on the majority of Boat Wood (details of this TPO are available upon request), though this does not prevent normal forest management when covered by a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan. Boat Wood sits within the Local Wildlife Site known as Sandpit Wood. Details of this can be downloaded from here.

Wildlife

Bat species recorded in the vicinity include soprano pipistrelle, noctule and brown long-eared bats. Priority bird species including grasshopper warbler, spotted flycatcher, wood warbler, lesser redpoll, tree pipit, hawfinch, woodlark and yellowhammer are recorded locally and may make use of the woods for breeding or overwintering. Muntjac, roe and fallow deer have been recorded in the vicinity of the woodland. For ideas on how to manage your woodland for wildlife why not have a look on our website.

Features

An ancient woodland with plenty of mature oaks.

Great all year-round access via a stoned track.

Views across the adjoining meadows and privately owned woods to the south and northeast.

A rustic bench tucked away in a private clearing in the woodland offers a peaceful place to sit and fully immerse yourself in nature.

An opportunity for a new owner to manage for wildlife and improve biodiversity.

Access, tracks and footpaths

Boat Wood is easily accessed from a quiet country lane (Benenden Road), through a locked wooden gate (an owner will be provided a key for this locked gate). There is a stoned track providing access to the wood. There is a place for a new owner to park inside the boundary of Boat Wood.

There is stock fencing along the edge of the woodland (from when livestock were previously grazing the meadows). A short section of fencing has been opened up to allow easy access into the woodland. The north and south boundaries are defined with chestnut posts. The west facing boundary along the roadside is fenced. Boundaries are clearly marked with RED markings.

Rights and covenants

The wood is sold with the sporting rights.

As is the case for all our woodlands, the purchaser will be asked to enter into a covenant which serves to protect the peace and quiet of the woodland.

Activities

Boat Wood offers the perfect setting for private family camping and enjoying quality time together collecting firewood, creating small clearings, building hides and spotting birds (see ‘Wildlife’ section above).

Woodlands.co.uk are pleased to offer £300 for new owners to attend a woodland related course of their choosing to pursue their woodland interests. We offer support for new woodland owners, including books, subscriptions, introductions to neighbours, advice on local suppliers and money towards relevant training. You can read more about this on our website.

Local area and history

The wood is situated approx. 3km south-west of Biddenden and 4km north-east of Benenden in the county of Kent. The nearby village of Biddenden was in the 1300’s part of an important centre for Broadcloth manufacture, with much of the very attractive high street built during this period. Biddenden Vineyard is located nearby, which in addition to producing some fine wines, is also Kent’s largest cider producer.

Ordnance Survey maps indicate that the areas currently under pasture were until at least the 1960s also under woodland but were subsequently deforested. However, the external woodland boundaries have changed very little since the mid-nineteenth century. There are some features of potential local archaeological interest in the woodland, including external wood-banks and ditches, remains of old tracks, and pits.