Woodland for sale

The sense of peace here is almost tangible yet observe carefully and the whole wood is alive with activity.

A series of delightful clearings flanked by giant oak trees punctuate the dense cover of hazel and birch. A series of old woodland trails can just about be made out amongst the thick summer growth. These routes into the cover of the wood probably date from a time when the woodland was an important source of material for the thriving local hurdle making industry. This industry played a crucial role in the development of the local agrarian economy for the smallholders that grazed the surrounding pasture. These woodland rides are a useful feature for providing access for future stewardship and enjoyment of the woods and for a time enabled the now defunct hunting practices after which the wood is named but that have made an important contribution towards the management of the wood.

Trees

The diverse mix of tree species in Chase Wood provides plenty of scope for reinstating old hazel coppice and clearing occasional ash to favour thriving maple, oak and birch. This also provides a fantastic opportunity for a valuable source of wood fuel for the burner this winter.

Wildlife

There is little here to disturb the rhythm of nature. Abundant deer slots (deer tracks) mark the ground, squirrels forage in the undergrowth and numerous butterflies busy themselves along the sunny woodland rides. This myriad of animal activity forms well worn trails throughout this woodland enclave that now provides such a crucial protected natural environment in the agricultural landscape.

Chase Wood is bordered by Dorset Wildlife Trust Land at Kingcombe Meadows, a patchwork of fields of flower-rich grassland, broken up by thick hedges, streams, ponds, ancient green lanes and wooded areas spreading up the valley either side of the River Hooke.

Rights and covenants

Such is the importance of this natural environment that it carries a special local authority Tree Preservation Order designation aimed at ensuring its continued existence as an important area of woodland. This will also encourage good woodland management practice as the local Forestry Commission representative and Local Authority Tree Officer are on hand to advise on how best to achieve this.

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.

Local area and history

Beyond Chase Wood this delightful area of countryside is a gateway to the south coast where numerous local towns and villages await discovery.