- Kildowney Road, Glarryford, Antrim
- nearly 4 ¾ acres
- Northern Ireland
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Kilglarry entrance
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Rest a while
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Secret glade
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Glade colonisation
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Trimmed trails
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Routes through
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Beginnings of a clearing
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Wetland area
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Drainage channel
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Short cut
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Basking in yellow marsh marigold
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Entrance off vehicle track
Description
Kilglarry Wood was planted approximately 25 years ago with predominantly Sitka spruce and is part of the wider Kildowney Road plantation. Planted on fertile level ground, after having been well prepared with additional drainage channels, the tree growth has been excellent.
Unlike most Sitka plantations, the woods at Kildowney are a pleasure to be within. The light transmitted through the woods is very high and with a little trimming and cutting, significant improvements could be made even better. The secret to increasing the diversity within these woods will lie in getting sunlight to the forest floor. Glades are already halfway apparent and beginning to green up with grass and ferns. More light would encourage more diversity.
Some paths have been trimmed back to help the visitor explore the potential of Kilglarry Wood. More tracks and secret paths might be a starting point, to link in with developing glades. Perhaps a camp spot or a place to construct a hut, with plenty of privacy for an adventurous family seeking a relaxing, but fun bolt hole.
Felled timber from this work would make ideal domestic firewood or could be utilised in the construction of a woodland hut.
A feature of Kilglarry is the slightly wetter area that could be cleared, enlarged and deepened to create a pond, adding another dimension to this interesting wood. Although there are water features all about the woods at Kildowney, having a water course or a pond within a woodland is a very attractive and interesting feature. The invertebrates that utilise these water features are the tip of the wildlife food chain, all the way down to the larger mammals and birds that would visit.
The woodland is easily accessed along a strong forest road, with space to manage to unload a trailer at the ridestop. From here it is a short step into and under the canopy to find the glade and intriguing trails. The drainage channels also provide convenient short cuts to the southern edge, where they emerge to far reaching views of the cattle and grazing fields beyond the substantial ditch. An enlarged opening along this boundary might be a starting point for an observation hide or just a place to bask in the sun.
The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of adjoining woodlands and meadows.
Trees
Mainly Sitka spruce plantation with the trees having done very well on fertile ground.
Wildlife
Huge amounts of birdlife with buzzards mewing and songbirds in numbers.
Evidence of transient deer and larger mammals.
Features
Numerous glades are showing promise with greening up of the forest floor, waiting for a helping hand to encourage diversity.
Access, tracks and footpaths
Access through Kilglarry Wood is relatively straightforward for a Sitka plantation. Usually Sitka plantations are black impenetrable spaces, devoid of interest and requiring progress to be made on hands and knees. Kilglarry Wood, like all the woods at Kildowney Road, is open and light, requiring little effort to move about.
Various paths have been trimmed back to give an idea of what is easy to achieve, given some imagination and an initial exploration: exciting hidden glades could be connected like secret rooms.
A bench has been built to give a convenient resting place.
Rights and covenants
The standard Woodlands Covenant will apply, designed to protect the interest of everyone within the woods.
The sporting or shooting rights will be transferred to a new owner.
Activities
Kilglarry is a wood that is quite large enough to gain privacy within, helped by the relative density of the Sitka planting. A family looking for privacy within a woodland could certainly find it here.
Offering enough sustainable firewood for the average domestic use, this activity could also prove beneficial in creating further sunny glades. Some glades are just beginning to green up but they would be helped by the judicious felling of a few trees on their fringes. Once sunlight can really reach the forest floor, the flora can start to get going, adding diversity for animals and other creatures to benefit from.
Alternatively the glades make excellent nurseries for planted trees. Perhaps a helping hand toward increasing the native species or the creation of a woodland orchard of native fruit trees.
Local area and history
Glacial activity has shaped the landscape around Kildowney Woods, with the nearby Glarryford esker of considerable scientific interest. A glacial esker is formed when glacial material is formed into long ridges under a glacier.
The term esker is derived from the Old Irish word eiscir , which means "ridge or elevation. The best-known example of such an eiscir is the Eiscir Riada, which runs nearly the whole width of Ireland from Dublin to Galway, a distance of 200 km (120 mi), and is still closely followed by the main Dublin–Galway road.
Wood maps
Wood map
Boundaries
The boundaries are the woodland side of the ditch that parallels the track, the centre of the way leave for the power line marked with blue and orange posts, the ditch to the south and the blue posted boundary to the neighbouring Waterquarter Wood.
Find this wood
Location
- OS Landranger: OS No. 8
- Grid ref: W 219 702
- Nearest post code: BT44 9RA
- GPS coordinates: 54.9494, -6.34397
Location map
Directions
From Ballymoney and the north, head south along the A26 to the Glarryford turn off, onto Station Road. (Ignore directions from the south, immediately below and resume at "heading west"....)
From Ballymena and the south, head north along the A26 to the Glarryford turn off, onto Station Road. (continue below)
Heading west along Station Road for just 200-300m, take the first left, over a slight humpback bridge.
Continue southwards for about 500m to another bridge. There is a small pull in on the far side, on the right hand side Park here.
Kildowney Woods are less than 100m further on and accessible on foot through a gap by the gate.
Continue on foot, Kilglarry Wood is 300m along the track, on the left, and after the power line.
How we support our buyers
Membership of the small woodland owners’ group
£300 for a woodland course of your choice
One year's free membership of the royal forestry society
Please note this wood is owned by woodlands.co.uk.
Our regional managers are often out working in our woodlands, so if you email an offer and want to be sure it has been received, please phone our manager on their mobile phone. The first offer at the stated price which is accepted, whether by phone or email, has priority.
Please take care when viewing as the great outdoors can contain unexpected hazards and woodlands are no exception. You should exercise common sense and caution, such as wearing appropriate footwear and avoiding visiting during high winds.
These particulars are for guidance only and, though believed to be correct, do not form part of any contract. Woodland Investment Management Ltd hereby give notice under section 21 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 of their interest in the land being sold.
Kilglarry Wood, a very pleasant, predominantly Sitka plantation with developing glades.
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Managed by John Cameron
Telephone: 01667 452993
Telephone: 07785 736095
Email: [emailprotected]
Visit Kilglarry Wood
You are welcome to visit this wood by yourself, but as many of our 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.
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Do remember to also check that it is still available for sale. If you have seen the woodland and wish to be accompanied on a second more detailed visit please contact our local manager.
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