Bentley Wood

Wood, Forest in Sussex Wealden

England

Bentley Wood

The church without dedication, East Hoathly Credit: Stephen Dawson

Bentley Wood, located in Sussex, England, is a picturesque woodland that covers an area of approximately 350 hectares. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity and ancient woodland status. The wood is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission and offers a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

The woodland is predominantly composed of broadleaf trees, such as oak, beech, and birch, which create a dense canopy and provide a habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of bluebells in the spring, transforming the woodland into a colorful spectacle. In addition to bluebells, the wood boasts a diverse array of wildflowers, including primroses, wood anemones, and wild garlic.

Bentley Wood is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, badgers, foxes, and a plethora of bird species. Birdwatchers can spot species like woodpeckers, nightingales, and tawny owls, among others. The wood also supports a significant population of butterflies, with species such as the purple hairstreak and the silver-washed fritillary gracing the area during the warmer months.

Visitors to Bentley Wood can enjoy a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, allowing them to explore the woodland at their own pace. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the natural beauty of the surroundings, makes Bentley Wood a popular destination for walkers, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

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Bentley Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.929192/0.14741396 or Grid Reference TQ5116. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The church without dedication, East Hoathly

Stephen Dawson

Meadow at Easons Green

This regularly grazed ancient meadow is typical of lowland unimproved grassland, with anthills and a diverse flora in the summer.

David Saunders

Woodbank at Rowlands Wood

This historic wooded bank, with many mature beech and hornbeam trees forms the southern boundary of Rowlands Wood, and also bounds the site of the Butterfly Conservation Nature Reserve where traditional coppicing and heathland management takes place.

David Saunders

Line of Trees on historic Boundary bank

Old Beech and Hornbeam trees on woodbank at Rowlands Wood, Park Corner.

David Saunders

Footpath from East Hoathly to Old Whyly

This photo was taken on the Thomas Turner walk, which is a series of footpaths around East Hoathly. The roof of Old Whyly can be seen in the distance.

Barry Hall

Old Whyly

Old Whyly is a 17th Century manor house. It is mentioned numerous times in The Diary of Thomas Turner 1754-1765, in East Hoathly. Thomas Turner frequently visited Jeremiah French, the tenant farmer, at Whyly mostly for evenings playing cards and heavy drinking. He invariably returned home inebriated and on several occasions his wife had to be carried home on a gate!

Barry Hall

Across the fields to Davis's Town

This photograph was taken from the footpath forming part of the Thomas Turner walk near Great Wood, just outside the village of East Hoathly.

Barry Hall

Mile marker East Hoathly

48 Miles to Bow Bells

Barry Hall

Black Lion Inn

Old coaching inn on the A22/B2192 crossroads. The road to Uckfield is straight ahead that to Lewes is to the left.

Simon Carey

Looking Towards Bog Shaw

Taken from the footpath that links Halland with Rowlands Wood. The South Downs can be seen in the background.

Simon Carey

Footpath to Shortgate

Taken from its junction with the Halland-Rowlands Wood footpath.

Simon Carey

Footpath to Laughton Park Farm

The footpath follows an old lane between two field boundaries on its way to Halland Park Farm.

Simon Carey

Field of Stalks near Halland Park Farm

Looking back towards Halland, the trees to the right hide the pond in the next grid square. The building on the hill is Hartfield Farm.

Simon Carey

Moat, Moat Wood

The remnants of an medieval settlement possibly a farmstead or a hunting lodge. The island is to the right of the water. Moat Wood is joint owned by East Hoathly parish council and the Woodland Trust.

Simon Carey

Footpath, Moat Wood

Taken from the entrance near the A22. Moat Wood is owned jointly by East Hoathly parish council and the Woodland Trust. Its wildlife includes Black Adders and Nightingales.

Simon Carey