The wood, which grows close down to the sea-shore, is a noble object from the house, and presents an agreeable retreat from the heat of summer.

It stands on the site of a house which was formerly occupied by a notorious smuggler named Boyce (d. 1740), who for a long series of years had been engaged in the illicit trade in the "back of the island," but having sufficiently increased his savings, he purchased Appley, and retired there, seemingly far removed from his former connections and avocations.

Boyce even aspired to a seat in the legislature, smuggling not then being looked upon as a very heinous offence.

It is located near Appley Towers, the seat of the William Hutt family who bought it in the 1870s.

The gallant Captain John Hutt, who so greatly distinguished himself, and fell in command of the Queen, in Lord Howe's glorious victory, on 1 June 1794, was also of this family.