ABOUT US

Toll Wood is a small ancient woodland of 9-acres, near to Lynsted village. Now, with the help of several experts, we have learnt how important this ancient woodland is.

After decades of neglect, there is plenty to be done to help restore the woodland to full health.

The owners, Martin and Gill, believe strongly in protecting the future of the woodland. So, they created the Toll Wood Charitable Trust. The future of the wood is protected for generations into the future.

There are no public rights of way through this fragile environment. Please contact us if you want access for research purposes. Our ten-year woodland management plan spells out our mission.

Founding Trustees

Martin Swainson, Gill Swainson, Marianne Revill, David Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan, Nigel Heriz-Smith

The Trustees can be contacted by email: contact@tollwood.org.uk.

Foundation Documents (includes our Ten-year Woodland Management Plan and Charity Commission Registration).

Toll Wood in Numbers

Species

24 Native Species of Tree
11 Ancient Woodland Indicator Species identified (so far - Spring 2024)
27 Fungi Identified in Fungus Forays in 2005 and 2023 (Supported by the Lynsted with Kingsdown Society)

Woodland Plot

  Area (ha)
Permanent Grassland (Chalkland meadow) 0.68ha
Woodland 3.74ha
Total area 4.42ha

Boundary = 1.075km

Tree Canopy

UK Average: 13% woodland canopy (The lowest in Europe)
Ancient Woodland: 2.5% of UK total woodland canopy

Kent: 17% ave. canopy coverage
Swale: 9.5% ave. canopy coverage
Teynham and Lynsted with Kingsdown Ward: 5.4% ave. canopy coverage
- Estimated woodland canopies in the Ward:
--- Minching and Kingsdown Wood = 91% of the Ward's canopy - commercially managed [also an Ancient & Semi-natural woodland]
--- Toll Wood - 4% of the Ward Canopy [Ancient & Semi-natural woodland]
--- Lynsted Park - 2% of the Ward Canopy
--- Cellar Hill Shaw - 1.25% of the Ward Canopy
--- Dadman's Shaw - 0.8% of the Ward Canopy
--- Park Farm Shaw - 0.5% of the Ward Canopy

Invertebrates (insects) - Survey due to take place in April 2025.

Mammals - Survey not yet undertaken. Potential dormouse habitat - to be tested. Several bat species indicated (a legally protected bat hibernaculum has been identified in the woodland). Rabbits, foxes and badgers are at home in the wood and meadow.

Birds - A short visit was made by an RSPB officer in 2001. Only a sketchy account.