Hatchell wood is recorded as being ancient and semi-natural woodland. It has retained its boundaries as depicted on the 1st edition OS map of 1854 quite coherently. Unfortunately, the M18 motorway has carved it in half. The location of the woodland near the site of Bessacarr Grange suggests it may formerly have been used as wood pasture. Legibility of the former character is fragmentary as the area is still wooded