Dæl Denge Wood
Details for this wood
Guide price: £156,000 Freehold
Size: About 37½ acres
Location: Garlinge Green, near Canterbury, Kent
OS Landranger: 179
Grid ref: TR 102 519
Nearest post code: CT4 5RT
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The Area
A quick look at the ordnance survey map shows 5 large areas of woodland around Canterbury, one of these is the Denge Wood complex, on the North Downs and to the southwest of the city. This area is dominated by sweet chestnut coppice, most is classified as semi-natural ancient woodland dating back to at least 1600 AD, while a smaller portion is former chalk grassland, known as The Warren where the open ground provides a contrasting habitat, especially favoured by butterflies. This part of Kent is designated as the North Downs AONB.
The Wood for sale
Dæl Denge Wood ( Dæl old English meaning part) is centrally placed within the 1000 acre woodland complex and is part of the privately owned area, the other areas are Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust owned.
Access
Is from the public highway at Garlinge Green the access is along a private right of way, part tarmac paved but mostly along woodland tracks.
Description
As with other parts, this woodland is dominated by sweet chesnut coppice of varying ages but mostly mature. The chesnut coppice is of good quality much at the stage where cleft rails and posts could be produced. Elsewhere there is widespreading canopy of mature beech, oak and sweet chestnut with a clear forest floor below. Bluebells abound, other woodland flowers are widespread.
The internal track follows the bottom of the gently sloping dry valley running in a SW direction from the access track, with a slow climb levelling out at the southern boundary. A small deer population can also be seen occasionally in the wood. The soil is 'strong' the land being clay over a chalk bedrock and generally alkaline.
Several features mostly relating to boundary markings make this a special woodland. Historically boundaries were often marked with either earth banks or, by 'upstands' - trees cut at a level (about 4 ft) between coppice and pollard. These are distinct from the normal coppicing and make a practical and permenant marker.
The parish boundary running through the wood is marked in this way although some are 'grown out'. The woodland boundary is also marked so in some parts. The straight western boundary has a very distinctive line of these 'upstands'. More can be seen of the curve of the north western boundary.
But the 'Buck Beech' must be the highlight of the wood, quite unmistakable and easily recongised and to be found midway on the western boundary.
A delve into the archives (County Records in Maidstone) would prove rewarding and fascinating and give the wood depth, that 'fourth dimension' feeling.
'Stones' about 6" square and 1' high also mark the boundaries, these are lettered and must relate to a title document of some sort.
A woodland which can be put to work to produce coppice products, enjoyed as an amenity or left to the peace and harmony of wildlife and nature - or all three!
Boundaries
Please see the Land Registry plan 6.
Our Maps (Click on a map to see a large version)
Directions
Driving
- Head for Garlinge Green, a hamlet about 5 miles south west of Canterbury.
- Park carefully on the Green.
Walking
- Go past the phone box, walk up the small lane, shown as a 'no through road.'
- Pass by Garlinge Court Farm, pass by the pole barrier where there is an information board and the tarmac ends.
- Take the next fork right, down the hill along a sunken track, then through an offset post and rail fence.
- Fork right going around or over the locked wooden fieldgate.
- Continue up the hill then fork left.
- The wood is a short distance along this track where there is a 'For Sale' sign.
- At present the way is blocked by a temporary trough and bank, please walk carefully around this.
Satnav/GPS note: the postcode CT4 5RT is for the point shown with a red dot on the location maps. For those without satnav/gps why not use Green Flag's routefinder to plan your route?
Please note: the particulars with plans, maps, descriptions and measurements are for reference only and although carefully checked we cannot guarantee their accuracy and do not form part of any contract. Any intending purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of these particulars.
