Escape to Nature

Our Woodland’s History

Our woodland was originally part of a greater forest known as Anderida, which covered much of Kent and Sussex during Roman times.In the 16th Century, Henry VIII took down most of the big oak trees to build his warships. And the local Wealden iron industry produced many of the canons for his navy.Our woodland was used to grow ash trees which originally produced charcoal to fuel the iron furnaces. We have several old iron pits in our woodland, which fill up with water, creating a series of small ponds during the winter months.  In the spring these are surrounded by beautiful bluebells and orchids.In 2019, we were advised by the Forestry Commission that our woodland was infected with Chalara ash die back disease.  In 2020, we removed all the diseased ash trees, opening the woodland up dramatically, which gave rise to phenomenal regeneration of trees and wildflowers.  Into this, we have planted more than 1000 additional mixed native trees to create a more diverse and disease tolerant woodland for future generations.