Delight Bank

About the Site

Delight Bank is situated on the colliery shale to the east of Dipton. This 2.5 hectare site is a mosaic of heath and rough grassland. While much of the site is somewhat degraded with tall, uncut grassland, it is still rich in flowers that provide a degree of wildlife value. Delight Bank is also surrounded on the north west and south east by a young woodland plantation containing a mixture of oak, birch, rowan and cherry trees.

The area of heath is dominated by heather, also known as ling. It produces spikes of honey-scented, lilac flowers in the autumn.

Heather

Plants such as bird’s-foot trefoil, fairy flax, knapweed, eyebright and sweet vernal grass grow in the grassland. Fairy flax is a small plant that produces delicate white flowers in the summer. Its other common name is purging flax, stemming from its use by herbalists as a powerful purgative. Sweet vernal grass is one of the earliest grasses to come into flower in the spring. Its young leaves taste of marzipan if chewed, which explains why it is the favourite food of many animals. The bright purple, fluffy thistle-like flowers of knapweed produce splashes of colour across Delight Bank in the summer. Hay rattle can be seen on the south west facing slope.

Eyebright

Delight Bank

Location

Take the A692 to Dipton and turn into Delight Bank upon reaching the centre. The site is situated on the right hand side of the road, where it bears round to the right.

Grid reference: NZ 154534

Facilities

None.

Enquiries

Derwentside District Council
Planning Division
Civic Centre
Consett
DH8 5JA
Tel: 01207 218304