Hoad's Wood
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 | |
| Location | Kent |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TQ 952 425[1] |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 80.5 hectares (199 acres)[1] |
| Notification | 1989[1] |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Hoad's Wood is an 80.5-hectare (199-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest west of Ashford in Kent.[1][2]
Natural England described the woodland thus: "This site is a good example of a pedunculate oak-hornbeam woodland on Wealden Clay [comprising] mainly hornbeam coppice-with-standards and oakhazel woodland with some sweet chestnut coppice. There is an outstanding assemblage of insects: moths and butterflies are particularly well documented. The wood also supports a diverse breeding bird community." Birds breeding in the wood include nightingale, woodcock, nuthatch, great-spotted woodpecker and several kinds of tits and warblers.[3]
The site is private land with no public access.
In March 2021, the woodland was the site where the remains of Sarah Everard were found after her abduction and murder.[4]
In January 2024 Hoad's Wood received national attention when it was reported the woodland had become an illegal rubbish dump. Access to the site was blocked by the Environment Agency and a court order put in place to prevent illegal tipping.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Hoad's Wood". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ "Map of Hoad's Wood". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ "Hoad's Wood citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ "Sarah Everard death: Inquest opened and adjourned". BBC News. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Illegal waste site in Kent closed down by the Environment Agency".