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The greater part of the woodland was purchased by The Woodland Trust from the Forestry Commission(FC) in 1987. In 1993 Dartford Borough Council gave the north-eastern corner of Joydens Wood to the WT. This latter section, the Exchange Land, carries with it Commoners Rights as a consequence of the land previously being given to Dartford Borough Council in the 1960’s in exchange for land on Dartford Heath which was used to build the A2(M) trunk road. The wood was originally taken over by the FC in 1956 from the remains of Mount Mascall Estate. At this time the FC cleared much of the native woodland vegetation and planted the whole area with mainly Corsican Pine, Scots Pine and other conifers, as well as beech and red oak. Conifers are still in abundance today at Joyden’s but efforts are being made to thin them out. Fire and wind have also played their part in removing some of the conifers and this has enabled the remnant native woodland flora to reassert and establish itself. Hence, in parts the woodland is now quite mixed with native tree species, and patches of specialist woodland flors such a bluebell and Lily-of-the-Valley can also be found.

Joydens Wood, Gattons Plantation and Sand Spinney are located on the south-eastern edge of London, only 13 miles from the city centre. Joydens Wood and Gattons Plantation are designated AWS sites while Sand Spinney is covered by a TPO. Joydens Wood, the main woodland area, is situated on high ground and is visually prominent both at the landscape and local level. The whole of Joydens Wood is hilly with a main valley running through it and some quite steep-sided spurs and minor valleys. Chalk Wood, the southern part of Joydens Wood, is the only area of intact Ancient Woodland but is owned by Bexley Borough Council. Faesten Dic Scheduled Ancient Monument runs for over a kilometre through the forest. This is a defensive structure built by the Saxons. There are numerous other archaeological sites throughout the wood.

Link to The Woodland Trust