Summerhouse Plantation and Amelia Wood

Details for this wood

Guide price: £192,000 - Freehold
Size: Almost 16 acres

Location: Kidsgrove, Staffordshire
OS Landranger: 118
Grid ref: SJ 826 560
Nearest post code: ST7 3BB

Contact: Liz & Dan Watson
Phone: 07970 116 515
Email: [email protected]

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Once part of the historic Lawton Hall Estate, this beautiful ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) is surrounded by farmland, woodland and the old Lawton Hall park, complete with a lake.

The southern aspect is bright and sunny and has long views over the lake, now a coarse fishery. From here paths lead into the wood, amongst tall oak, silver/downy birch and lime trees. Broadleaved natural regeneration is underway, with a lively mixed broadleaved understorey replacing bramble, bracken and nettle of old. There are extensive areas of bluebell and ransomes (wild garlic) which put on a show in the spring.

The woodland has a delightful mixed age structure as well as a good selection of different tree species including mature and maturing oak, beech, sycamore, birch, lime, ash and cherry. There is also hawthorn and hazel with regenerating saplings in the understorey. The last owner has undertaken rhododendron management and has marked trees for felling, under a method known as continuous cover forestry or CCF. This technique, advocated by the late Sir Rodney Helliwell, who wrote a report and made recommendations specifically for this particular woodland, is now widely considered best practice for the restoration of ancient woodland sites as it respects ecological processes and includes soil health, the forest micro climate, associated fungi, flora and fauna as well as the trees themselves. 

As you might expect for an ancient semi-natural woodland, the range of wildlife associated with the wood is very wide-ranging. A number of wildlife reports including, mammals, birds, bats, butterflies and moths have been undertaken over the last few years and can be made available to the new owner.

Over 100 different species of bird have been recorded within the wood, a real testament to the biodiversity of this special place. Quite a number of nest boxes have been set up and catching a dawn chorus in the springtime is an immersive experience. Tawny owls are resident year round and their evocative calls can be frequently heard. 

With attractively varied topography, the wood’s northern boundary is formed by a small river and there are slopes, gullies with seasonal streams and flat areas creating a range of spaces, some ideal for occasional camping.

Access to the wood is from a road, named The Spinney just off the A34, and via a sound track which passes through Mill Lane Plantation and past the south side of the property. A parking area is located at the side of this track within the wood and from here, the woodland is accessible on foot, with a 4X4 or quad bike.

Two public footpaths pass through the wood, as detailed on the plan along with a couple of additional private routes.

Our Maps (Click on a map to see a large version)

Our Maps

Directions

Just 9 miles from Stoke-on-Trent, 15 miles from Macclesfield and 35 miles from Manchester.

  • Travelling north from Kidsgrove on the A34 turn left on to the Spinney 1/2 mile after passing the A50.
  • Fork right after 70 metres.
  • Park on the junction of Lawton Coppice Road and The Spinney.
  • Continuing on Foot from here, turn left and proceed to the wooden gate at the end of Lawton Coppice Road. There is a kissing gate and a sign saying Wheelock Angling Society as well as a small 'Woodlands for sale' sign on the gate.
  • Proceed down the track for about 500 metres until you have passed the lake on the left.
  • Ralphs Wood and Summerhouse Plantation is located to the right of the track and can be accessed close to the Forests.co.uk for sale sign.

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.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact Liz & Dan Watson on 07970 116 515 or email us at [email protected] with your details.