Beechland Mill Wood

Beechland Mill Wood is situated 500m south of the village of Newick, near Uckfield, in East Sussex. The wood was acquired by the Woodland Trust in three sections: a meadow donated in 1981and planted in 1982 (now cpt 1c); Mill Wood purchased in 1988 (now cpt 1a); the north-eastern section donated in 1997 (now cpt 1b). The acquisitions were made possible by members of the Wallinger family of Newick. All internal boundary fences have now been removed and the whole wood is known as Beechland Mill Wood at the request of the donors. The wood occupies part of the southern side of a small east - west valley with a small seasonal steam and is mainly surrounded by semi-improved grassland. Mill Wood is mostly ancient semi-natural woodland (NVC W10) with mature oak over a hazel under storey. There are good displays of bluebells in the spring. The area at the western end has a series of pits/ponds, dams and spillways associated with its previous industrial use. Along the stream alder, willow and ash are more dominant. The north-eastern section of the wood is probably secondary woodland although it appears to be long established. The flora by the stream is of a more ancient woodland composition, including much dog's mercury, bluebells and enchanter's nightshade. There is a further pond pay in this part of the wood. In the south-east, the land was formerly a rough, sloping meadow. In 1982 it was planted with groups of widely-spaced broadleaved trees (natives and non-native) which have now closed canopy and been lightly thinned. The wood can be accessed by three public footpaths from the village and one from the south and is well-used by local people. The wood suffers from minor but regular vandalism.