The
woodlands encircle the natural amphitheatre in
which St Julians house and gardens are nestled.
There is Rumshott Wood to the east and
Brimstonewell Wood to the west, which cover 45
acres along the Greensand Ridge.
Starting from the bar lawn you should walk up the
hill and head for the steps between the monkey
puzzle trees and pampas grass. The steps lead up
into the ornamental woods, but before you disappear
amongst the massive Coast Redwoods you should turn
around and take in the stunning view stretching
across the Wealden Basin.
As you proceed on into the woods you will notice that there is a mixture of tree species some are native to Britain but many have been planted. As a general rule the conifers have all been planted whilst most of the broadleaved trees have naturally regenerated.
As you climb the hill Rumshott Wood is on your right, in this area many trees were blown over during the 1987 storm. The effects of the storm appear to be worse due to the plantation of European Larch that fell into a criss-cross of trees which has held back any regrowth of plants except for the bracken and brambles. In areas that were cleared of fallen timber birch has rapidly colonised, and beech, hazel and oak are slowly regenerating.
At the top of the hill turn left and the track opens out into a grassy path that has marvellous views over the woods and beyond. In spring the banks are covered in stunning bluebells. If you are feeling energetic the climb up the slope on the right is well worth the effort as it offers the most amazing view of the Greensand Ridge and the Kentish Weald.
Further along the track you will soon notice the rhododendron is closing in. Rhododendron has beautiful showy flowers and is often planted in gardens but when allowed to grow unchecked in woods the effect can be disastrous to other plants. Rhododendron has become a weed in this area and the density of the plants has suppressed our native flora and often causes the soil to become acidic. Work is being done, with help from conservation volunteers, to eradicate this plant from some areas and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the woods.
This section of wood is called Brimestonewell Wood, the name refers to the spring found here. This spring provides all the water for the main house and probably explains why the original house was built here. Brimestonewell Wood was less effected by the high winds of 1987 and has retained a greater number of older trees, but very few are more than 40 years old. The ground flora in this section reflects the maturity of the woods with an array of typical ancient woodland indicator species, such as Yellow Archangel, Wood Spurge and Wood Sorrel.
If you carry on along this path you will soon find the stile that will take you into the meadow and back to the house. At the top of this field are the massive Wellingtonia tree and Cedar of Lebanon that where planted by Mr Herries when the house was built over 150 years ago.
As you proceed on into the woods you will notice that there is a mixture of tree species some are native to Britain but many have been planted. As a general rule the conifers have all been planted whilst most of the broadleaved trees have naturally regenerated.
As you climb the hill Rumshott Wood is on your right, in this area many trees were blown over during the 1987 storm. The effects of the storm appear to be worse due to the plantation of European Larch that fell into a criss-cross of trees which has held back any regrowth of plants except for the bracken and brambles. In areas that were cleared of fallen timber birch has rapidly colonised, and beech, hazel and oak are slowly regenerating.
At the top of the hill turn left and the track opens out into a grassy path that has marvellous views over the woods and beyond. In spring the banks are covered in stunning bluebells. If you are feeling energetic the climb up the slope on the right is well worth the effort as it offers the most amazing view of the Greensand Ridge and the Kentish Weald.
Further along the track you will soon notice the rhododendron is closing in. Rhododendron has beautiful showy flowers and is often planted in gardens but when allowed to grow unchecked in woods the effect can be disastrous to other plants. Rhododendron has become a weed in this area and the density of the plants has suppressed our native flora and often causes the soil to become acidic. Work is being done, with help from conservation volunteers, to eradicate this plant from some areas and prevent it from spreading to other sections of the woods.
This section of wood is called Brimestonewell Wood, the name refers to the spring found here. This spring provides all the water for the main house and probably explains why the original house was built here. Brimestonewell Wood was less effected by the high winds of 1987 and has retained a greater number of older trees, but very few are more than 40 years old. The ground flora in this section reflects the maturity of the woods with an array of typical ancient woodland indicator species, such as Yellow Archangel, Wood Spurge and Wood Sorrel.
If you carry on along this path you will soon find the stile that will take you into the meadow and back to the house. At the top of this field are the massive Wellingtonia tree and Cedar of Lebanon that where planted by Mr Herries when the house was built over 150 years ago.
These woods
are considered as an Ancient Woodland Site, which
means that the area has been continuously wooded
since 1600 AD.
In
spring the magnificent carpets of bluebells
indicate the great age of the woodland cover.
Sadly, a timber merchant removed most of the
ancient trees in the 1950's, the Forestry
Commission then carried out extensive replanting
with conifers and some broadleaved species. This
planting together with some natural regeneration
have created the woodland structure that is seen
today.
Please help
protect all these sensitive habitats that you walk
through by keeping to the paths, do not pick any
flowers and keep your dog on the lead.
