Back Lane Wood, Datchworth, near Knebworth, Hertfordshire. Approx. 19 acres of lovely mixed woodland with ponds for £135,000 (leasehold) [#S1484]
Summary
A wonderful woodland of red oak, hornbeam and Lawson cypress with a number of seasonal ponds and historical features, 30 miles from central London.
County
Hertfordshire
Size
19 acres (approx).
Locators
OS Landranger Series Sheet No: 166
Ordnance Survey Grid References:
- Roadside gate (Back Lane, point X on the plan): TL 272 183
- Centre of wood: TL 278 178
Nearest postcode: SG3 6RU
This postcode will take you to the local area but may not take you to the woodland. You will need to use the location plan and directions as well.
Photos
Description
Back Lane Wood is located a short distance southeast from the village of Knebworth in semi-rural Hertfordshire and adjacent to a hard surfaced track, known as Back Lane.
Defined as a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS), the wood is encompassed by open farmland and is mostly on gently sloping chalky loamy soils with a mature canopy of predominantly red oak and hornbeam. Other species further adding to the diversity of this wonderful place include cherry, ash, Lawson cypress with occasional Douglas fir and Scots pine. The lush shrub layer below comprises birch, holly, hazel and regenerating ash thickets. Come spring, the ground layer is awash with bluebells (an Ancient Woodland indicator), orchid, primrose and wood millet.
A number of woodland mammals take sanctuary amongst the trees, such as muntjac deer, fox, badger and hare. Feathered visitors include meadow pipit, little owl, cuckoo and many harmonious songsters.
In various parts of the woodland there are ancient hollows and earthworks. These are not recorded as ancient monuments but will most certainly be of historic importance.
At the southern end is a long ditch, joining one of a few seasonal ponds on the very southern tip to the deepest of the hollows in the southeast corner. This forms part of a soak-away system that the Water Authority uses during periodic but infrequent maintenance operations. We believe the current owner has only known it used once in the last 8 years.
Back Lane Wood benefits from internal access along a soft track accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The woodland is on a 999-year lease dating from 1948. The annual rent is fixed at £1.99.
If It Were Mine
I would certainly enjoy one of the many locations looking out to rural Hertfordshire for a night or two camping with my family. There would be some consideration to upgrading the soft track. Some hornbeam fuel would most likely be gathered for the log burner at home.
Please remember some management operations require approval and/or a licence.
To View This Woodland
You are welcome to view this woodland at any time during daylight hours. We do ask that you download a copy of these particulars and take them with you, mainly so you can correctly identify the boundaries and access points.
Residential Planning Permission
You are extremely unlikely to get residential planning permission for this woodland.
Directions & Access
- From Junction 6 on the A1(M); follow signs for the B197 in the direction of Knebworth.
- After 2 miles you will come into the village of Woolmer Green.
- Once in the village, turn right onto Mardleybury Road signed for Datchworth and Watton, opposite the Chequers Inn pub.
- Continue for 1 mile towards Datchworth Green, passing The Tilbury pub on the left.
- After 300 metres turn right at the triangular patch of grass almost opposite Hawkins Hall Lane (point X on the plan below).
- Continue along the track (also known as Back Lane) for 600 metres and you will arrive at the woodland on the left (point A), indicated by our Woods4Sale sign on a tree.
Boundaries
- The northern and western boundaries are agricultural fences.
- The southern and eastern boundaries are indicated by regular fence posts without any metalwork attached.
Sporting Rights
The sporting rights are reserved to the lessor, but the lessee is able to shoot deer, pigeons, rabbits, squirrels, rooks and crows.
Mineral Rights
The lessee has a right to extract sand or gravel for road and track maintenance.
Rights Of Way
- There is a right of way for the woodland along Back Lane. The liability for maintenance and repair is by user of one third of the cost.
- There are no public rights of way in the woodland.
Fencing Liabilities
There are no known fencing obligations.
How To Buy
This woodland is being sold on a fixed price basis. We require the following information in writing before we mark a woodland as sold and take it off the market (please ensure you have funds in place before doing this):
- The name and price of the woodland
- Confirmation you have viewed the woodland
- Full name (including middle names), address, phone number and date of birth of all legal purchasers
- Please confirm how you will be funding the purchase and that you have cleared funds available
- The full contact details of your instructed solicitor (including name of company, contact name, email address, telephone number and full address)
Please click on the button below for more information.
Maps & Plans
Note
Plans, areas and particulars are for reference only. They have been carefully checked by us but we cannot guarantee their accuracy and they do not form a part of any contract. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves, and we will give as much help as possible with all information we have available.
Contact
Woods4Sale Ltd
Jubilee Chapel
Church Lane
Huxley
Chester
CH3 9BH
UK
Phone: 01248 364 362
info@woods4sale.co.uk
www.woods4sale.co.uk
Company Number: 4657216.