Brilley Wood (about 5 and a half acres), Whitney-on-Wye, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR3

Property Details: - Type: Woodland - Bedrooms: 0 - Bathrooms: 0

Agent: Woodlands - Herne Hill Phone: 020 3641 2487

<p>Delightful broadleaf woodland in very quiet, peaceful surroundings, flanked on one side by the Millhalf Brook and Brilley Green Dingle Nature reserve and by rolling green fields and woodland on the remaining sides. Brilley Wood is looking for someone to continue the careful management which has resulted in its present wonderful biodiverse shape and inhabitants, namely rare creatures like our native Dormouse, newts and crested newts, many species of birds, some quite unusual such as the pied flycatcher, and great variety of ground flora including many ancient woodland indicators such as oxalis or wood sorrel, woodland anemones, and carpets of native bluebells in the spring. </p><p>There is a small area of level ground in the southern sector of the woodland, with a forest path running along ten metres or so inside, roughly parallel with the southern boundary. There is a small glade here providing space for a working area and possibly a shelter for cups of tea and storage for tools. A short distance northward from here, the ground falls away fairly steeply down towards the brook which runs along the bottom of the valley. Mature oak, chestnut and beech populate this area, with shrub sized holly and hazel between, some of which has been coppiced, and an open forest floor with many ferns and various wildflowers throughout the year. A narrow footpath descends diagonally to the bottom of the slope in the north eastern corner of the woodland, bringing you to the southern bank of Millhalf Brook. </p><p>The brook which forms the northern boundary of the larger woodland Kiln Ground Wood, drops down several shallow falls on its journey eastwards, banked by big stone slabs in places which create wide, shallow pools where the white clawed crayfish (or Austropotamobius pallipes, to give it its proper name!) have happily found suitable habitat; quite a rarity. There are many wildflowers down here in the spring and it is an idyllic corner of the woodland to sit and enjoy nature in its fine, quiet form. </p><p><b><u>Trees </u></b></p><p>Lovely mix of native broadleaf here, with majority oak but also some lovely specimens of sweet chestnut, one or two fabulous beech as well as birch, cherry, some alder and quite a quantity of hazel at understory, much of which has been managed over several years as coppice. Also at understory can be found holly and hawthorn, field maple and sycamore, many interwound with copious amount of honeysuckle. </p><p><b><u>Wildlife </u></b></p><p>The careful management of the larger Kiln Ground Wood over the decades has created the ideal habitat for a great variety of species of woodland creatures which sadly have become much rarer these days, either through lack of woodland management and/or changing farming practices. Dormice are known to inhabit the woodland which is a rare delight and along with the thrill of knowing you have a protected species within your woodland comes the responsibility of ensuring its preservation. There is a lot of very useful information provided by Natural England and PETES (People's Trust for Endangered Species) with guidance for you to follow. There are many sources of help and advice in formulating a management plan if this is something new to the owner. </p><p>Along with dormice, are several species of bat including Brown Long-eared, Common and Soprano Pipistrelles, Natterers, Daubenton and the larger Noctule. Many birds thrive here too including the rarer Pied flycatcher, as well as the Spotted flycatcher, nuthatch, treecreeper, cuckoo and warblers including the gorgeous little chiffchaff with its distinctive call. </p><p>Brilley Green Dingle Nature Reserve, managed by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, is just across the brook providing more cover for wildlife. </p><p>Deer are present in the area, which need monitoring; lovely as they are, they can be very damaging to young tree growth. </p><p>At the smaller end of the scale, newts of several varieties, greater crested and palmate, have been spotted in the small ponds in the woods, as have grass snakes and slow worms. </p><p>The brook is home to the rare native white-clawed crayfish. </p><p><b><u>Features </u></b></p><ul><li>Ancient semi natural woodland, varied in age and tree species. </li><li>The stream and its environs are very attractive. </li><li>Good level working area for forestry activities. </li><li>Hazel coppice stools for ongoing management. </li></ul><p><b><u>Access, tracks and footpaths </u></b></p><p>Access is very good by way of a solid stoned track, directly off a very quiet country road, providing access for two or four wheel drive vehicles. </p><p>There are no public footpaths through Brilley Wood. </p><p><b><u>Rights and covenants </u></b></p><p>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. </p><p><b><u>Activities </u></b></p><p>First and foremost, nature conservation. Following the template set by the woodland management undertaken so far in Kiln Ground Wood would ensure a gold standard future for Brilley Wood. It is essential protected species protocols are followed but as is clear from its present condition, good woodland management and respecting protocols put in place to ensure preservation of protected species are in no way mutually exclusive! In many ways, if you are new to woodland ownership, there are very clear guidelines to follow which makes the process and decision making simpler while you are learning the ropes! </p><p>There is great opportunity to carry on the coppice management of the hazel stools. </p><p>Wildlife and bird watching will be very rewarding in this tranquil woodland. </p><p><b><u>Local area and history </u></b></p><p>Whitney Sawmill, just minutes away on the A438, is part of a UK charity Woodland Heritage which is working to promote the use and production of home grown timber, incredibly important in the furthering of sustainable woodland management and timber production. They run Woodland to Workshop courses. </p><p>Hay on Wye is only 5 or so miles away (you could even canoe there from Whitney on Wye!) and has much to offer with its famous book and antique shops, many good pubs and restaurants. it's Literary Festival and possibly the best ice cream in the world..as well as all other amenities. </p><p>Hay on Wye sits on the north eastern tip of the Bannau Brycheiniog national park so an opportunity for many activities in its stunning landscape. It is possible, via the local public footpath network, to connect to the Herefordshire Trail and even, a little further, Offa's Dyke Path. </p><p>Historically the surrounding area has several Neolithic sites including Arthur's Stone , and there are castles galore with fine examples of Welsh border castles and medieval fortresses.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>