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Photos

Description

Ashton Wood is situated on the eastern edges of Banwell village and not far west from the historic city of Bath in North Somerset. Access is through a locked gate and along a track.

Located on north facing slopes amongst flint and loamy soils, the mature woodland canopy includes ash, oak, beech, sycamore, cherry and occasional hazel. In the shrub layer below you will find hazel coppice, holly, field maple, and hawthorn as well as a smattering of regenerating sycamore and ash. Once the warmer weather arrives, the ground layer is festooned with Ancient Woodland indicators namely bluebells, wood anemones and dog’s mercury, succeeded by pungent wild garlic; great for making jars of delicious homemade pesto. Ferns are common here too, hart’s tongue and broad buckler-fern can be found. Making use of the Forestry Commission thinning licence, a new custodian could consider selecting a stem or two of ash for a stock of fuel. This licence is in place until October 2022.

The whole of Ashton Wood is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); the area was once historically mined for ochre between 1930 up until 1948, some of these notable mine shafts are still open or collapsed with the open now fenced off. Please take care when visiting the woodland.   

A bat assessment carried out in 2020 discovered resident roosting bats within the redundant caves and shafts. Approximately 281 great horseshoes and 49 lesser horseshoes were counted at the time of the survey.   

More frequently spotted creatures include roe and muntjac deer, badger, fox, hare and grey squirrel. A host of birds can be seen and heard – including tree pipit, owl, buzzard and many harmonious songsters.  

There are several level spots to the north and south that may well make nice camping areas as well as places to refine bushcraft talents. Between the trees are glimpses of the River Severn.

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If It Were Mine

I would consider creating a footpath and steps to the top of the woodland and to the caves, perhaps clearing an area for overnight stays and crafting. A rope swing on a sturdy limb would work well here. Perhaps the removal of some of the light supressed trees could be carried out, to be used for logs and allowing the bigger stems to develop further.

Please remember some management operations require approval and/or a licence.

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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.

Some old mine entrances still exist within the woodland as partially collapsed entrances into the hillside. Please take care when visiting the woodland.

Download

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Residential Planning Permission

You are extremely unlikely to get residential planning permission for this woodland.

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Video

This video is of the larger woodland as a whole and is not representative of any specific part of the woodland.

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Directions & Access

• From Banwell village, travel east along the A368 towards Sandford.
• After approximately half a mile, you will see a layby on the right-hand side with a double wooden gate set back and Wood4Sale signs (point A on the plan below).  
• Please park safely in front of one of the gates, ensuring there is clear vehicular access through the other for key holders (sorry we do not provide keys for viewings).
• Climb the gate and turn immediately right, continue along the track for 50 metres until you see a wite painted posts on both the left and right of the track (point B).
• This is the start of the woodland.

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Boundaries

• The southwestern boundary is indicated by blue paint on occasional wooden posts and trees.
• The short southeastern boundary is the edge of the woodland, indicated by the dilapidated fence and wooden gate with fields beyond.
•  The northern boundary is the top of the earth bank and bund with verge and council highway beyond.
•  The eastern boundary is indicated by white paint on occasional wooden posts and trees.

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Sporting Rights

The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale. They are not let.

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Mineral Rights

The mineral rights are owned and included in the sale except as reserved by statute.

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Rights Of Way

• There is a right of way granted at all times and for all purposes over the route AB.
• A right of way is reserved over the route BC for the benefit of the woodland beyond.
• A right is reserved to others to access and repair the water pipe that runs through the woodland along most of the north and north western side of the track (XY).
• A maintenance clause covers all the shared rights of way with liability according to use.
• There are no public rights of way in this woodland.

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Fencing Liabilities

There are no known fencing obligations.

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Tree Preservation Order

The woodland is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This does not prevent appropriate tree felling. However, the agreement of the local Tree Officer must be obtained in advance.

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Conservation Designations

This woodland is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). To view the citation click on the following links.

Read More

Read More

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Restrictive Covenants

There are some restrictive covenants to protect the woodland and the environment. Please click on the button below to view these.

Read More

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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.

Buy This Woodland

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Maps & Plans

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Note

Plans, areas and particulars are for reference only. We cannot guarantee their accuracy and they do not form a part of any contract. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves as to the condition of the land.

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Woods4Sale Interest

Woods4Sale Ltd hereby give notice under section 21 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 of their interest in the land being sold.