Coxhoe Hall Wood & Coxhoe Quarry Wood Local Nature Reserves

About the Site

Coxhoe Hall and Coxhoe Quarry Woods are situated on the Magnesian Limestone plateau of East Durham. The two woodlands are joined by a narrow strip of woodland known as ‘Lady’s Walk’.

Coxhoe Quarry Wood developed on land quarried several centuries ago. It is at least 150 years old and provides valuable cover for a number of birds and insects. Ash is common throughout the woodland, which is typical of the dry and shallow soils of this area.

Wayfaring trees can be seen blossoming in the spring along with carpets of wood anemones, cowslips and violets.

There was a lime heap at the centre of the woodland, which has been reclaimed and developed as Magnesian Limestone grassland. Areas of this grassland naturally occur along the outer edges of the site. It is a very important type of habitat home to a rich and distinctive group of plants and insects. These include quaking grass, blue moor-grass, sea plantain and a number of orchids.

Coxhoe Hall Wood is a fascinating place to visit, not only for the wildlife, but also for the sense of history cast over the site from the remains of the original Hall. The Hall, demolished in 1952, was the birth place of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1806. You can still see remnants of the octagonal dovecote, stables and the terraced and ornamental gardens.

The wood contains majestic beech trees dating from 1725 when Coxhoe Hall estate was established. These huge, mature trees are riddled with rotten wood and hollows which provide excellent homes for a wide range of insects and birds such as the tawny owl and great spotted woodpecker. You are likely to hear the familiar drumming sound made by the woodpeckers as they peck at the bark of trees in the search for insects.

Coxhoe Hall Wood and Coxhoe Quarry Wood

Location

Coxhoe Hall Wood is located between the villages of Coxhoe and Kelloe. Coxhoe village is south east of Junction 61 off the A1(M) on the A177.

Coxhoe Quarry Wood lies to the north east of the village of Coxhoe, on the B6291 to Quarrington Hill. It is easily reached on foot from Coxhoe and Kelloe via Coxhoe Hall Wood.

Facilities

None.

Tawny Owl

Enquiries

Coxhoe Hall Wood Local Nature Reserve
Durham City Council
Department of Environmental Services
Byland Lodge
Hawthorn Terrace
Durham
DH1 4TD
Tel: 0191 3866111

Coxhoe Quarry Wood Local Nature Reserve
Durham County Council
Environment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 383 3594