Bamford Wood, Abergele, Denbighshire, Wales, LL22

Bamford Wood occupies a commanding position on the lower slopes and more level high ground of Tower Hill, overlooking the North Welsh coast at Abergele. This vantage point has for many generations been a significant landmark in the area. For centuries an original tower structure provided an elevated setting to keep watch for hostile invaders by sea from the north. More recently the original structure was replaced by an important local landowner as part of an extensive program of construction of the house and grounds at nearby Gwryych Castle.

Bamford Wood today has extensive commercial planting. Within the southern boundary, areas of Douglas fir are now an impressive size, sheltered in the valley of a small stream Nant y Creigiau that wends its way beneath the trees. Elsewhere within the wood the tradition of a previous era has left a legacy of significant areas of ancient broadleaf that now provide great scope for regeneration and further planting of native broadleaf where birch and sycamore are developing amongst beech, oak and hazel.

At the fringes of the wood, overlooking open farmland, bluebells and campion proliferate in the spring sunshine and along the edges of the stoned tracks that provide access to Bamford Wood from both the North East and South West. These multiple points of entry will facilitate any forestry work within the wood as considered appropriate. A residential property is located within the wood but does not form part of the sale.

Abergele is amongst several of the North Welsh coastal towns in the area that are host to a well-established tourist economy drawn by attractive beeches, cycleways and walking routes along Llanddulas Beach and Colwyn Bay. An excellent road link via the A55 North Wales Expressway provides fast access to the some of the UK’s largest population centres in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.

Boundaries

Boundaries are defined by the highway to the access track to the north and west and by field boundaries to the south and east.

Tenure

The freehold is available including any sporting rights that pass with the land. There is no VAT chargeable on the purchase price.

Ownership

The benefits of woodland ownership have recently become more widely acknowledged. There is a good deal of flexibility when acquiring woodland to do so in such a way that can assist with inheritance tax planning for planning for future generations. In addition, during the period of ownership there is currently no income tax payable on sales of timber from the woodland. There may also be capital gains tax benefits relating to the increase in value of trees as standing timber and there are no business rates or annual taxes on woodland.

Planning for the best financial outcome from woodland ownership starts with a well conceived Woodland Management Plan. This is a woodland-specific document that sets out the long term aims the woodland with the focus of commercial management in mind. At Legacy Forestry, we provide buyers with a bespoke Woodland Management Plan drafted by a forestry professional who will not only be able to advise on your personal aims for managing the woodland but also have the local contacts to contract any forestry operations necessary to carry out specific objectives.

There is also a further consideration that comes with the opportunity to own woodland. Apart from HMRC’s favourable tax treatment of commercial forestry investments, woodland ownership also brings with it the enormous additional rewards of stewardship of the countryside and a chance to conserve, manage and enjoy a precious and important environment.

Access

Access is direct from the public highway at point A. There is a gate and Legacy Forestry signboard at this point, from where a track provides access along the boundary of the wood.

For access from the south follow the road over the viaduct bridge as you approach Abergele Hospital.

After the bridge, take the first left in the hospital grounds signposted ‘Service Deliveries’. Follow this tarmac road past the hospital buildings and downhill through the trees. The entrance is at the bottom of the hill on you right after you cross the stream. There is a Legacy Forestry signboard at this point.

There are several footpaths along the designated routes through the wood as shown on the Ordinance Survey plan.

Location

Bamford Wood is located within the county Denbighshire close to the coastal town of Abergele.

Viewing and Directions

Please contact Dan Sharp on 07780 900192 to arrange a visit. You are welcome to visit this wood by yourself, but as many woodlands do not have mobile phone reception or internet access, please try and make sure you have a copy of these sales details with you. Please be aware of potential hazard within the woodland when viewing.