Friezland Wood - Tunbridge Wells

Site Description

Friezland Wood is situated on the Kent/East Sussex border just to the south-west of Tunbridge Wells. The site was acquired by the Woodland Trust in 1986 with a substantial part of the purchase price being donated by the Friends of Charlie Payne, a group of conservation volunteers, in memory of one of their friends. The group have had an annual working party in the wood almost every year since it was acquired.

Most of the site lies on a steep, north-facing slope within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The geology is very variable for a relatively small site and it is the Ardingly Sandstone rock outcrops known as High Rocks at the western end of that have resulted in part of the site being notified as a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI). Part of this area has been fenced off by the neighbouring landowner and is leased to him under licence.

The rocks are of importance due to the sandstone weathering features on the highest cliffs in the Weald and are comparatively rare in the British Isles. A rich lower plant flora (ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens) can be found on the rocks, some of which are very rare.

The site is designated as ancient semi-natural woodland. The varied geology is matched by a very diverse woodland flora both in tree species and ground flora which includes spectacular displays of bluebells and wood anemones in the spring.

There is a good network of paths and the High Weald Link Route crosses the site. Bridges, steps and surfacing aid access to steeper and wetter parts of the site. The site is well used by local people (WT access category B) but it has a long history of misuse including motorcycles, vandalism and fly-tipping.

Most of the western part of the site is also part of the High Rocks Camp Scheduled Ancient Monument. This includes an Iron Age hill fort with some earthworks visible in the south-western part of the wood. The rocks were also known to be used as Neolithic shelters.