Edmondsley Wood

About the Site

Edmondsley Wood lies on the south bank of the steep-sided Cong Burn Valley and is bordered by Whitehall Wood to the east and Waldridge Fell to the south. This 12.5 hectare site mainly comprises broadleaf woodland although small patches of heathland, grassland and marsh are also present here.

The woodland is dominated by oak and ash trees, although there are also scatterings of silver birch, holly and rowan. Rowan produce bunches of bright red berries in the late summer. There is a well-developed, rather prickly, understorey in the wood made up of hawthorn and hazel, with a large patch of guelder rose near to the stream that runs through the site. Hazel produces soft, cream coloured catkins in the spring commonly known as ‘lamb's tails’.

A huge variety of woodland plant species grow beneath the canopy. Some of the more unusual plants include moschatel and broad-leaved helleborine. Moschatel produces pale flowers which are not obvious at first, but with closer inspection the intricate, three-dimensional clock-face type blooms can be seen. Broad-leaved helleborine is an orchid associated with woodlands. It produces a spike of pink and burgundy-brown flowers from July to September that attracts wasps, which distribute the pollen.

There are two areas of marsh that are found at breaks in the slope. These marshy areas contain plant species such as meadowsweet, marsh marigold, common reed and greater tussock sedge. Meadowsweet produces frothy white flowers with a dill-like aroma that spill out over the marsh in July and are very attractive along with the soft, purple-tinged flower heads of the common reed.

Willow trees grow around the margins of these marshy areas. There are numerous species of willow but most of the larger species have long, thin leaves similar to those of the weeping willow that most of us will have seen by ponds or lakes in local parks. Also look out for the soft, furry buds of the goat willow which is more commonly known as ‘pussy willow’. These are smaller shrub-like trees and form part of the understorey throughout Edmondsley Wood.

The patches of grassland that are scattered throughout the site contain a number of species including autumn hawkbit, tall melliot, betony and devil’s-bit scabious. Autumn hawkbit closely resembles an ordinary dandelion although the leaves are rough and hairy. Devil’s-bit scabious (sometimes called ‘bobby bright buttons’) produces round violet-blue flowers which are much deeper in colour than the flowers of the more common field scabious.

Birds and mammals are abundant within Edmondsley Wood. Deer, red squirrel and several bat species inhabit or visit the site.

The combination of the secluded nature of the site and the wealth of plants and animals found here make Edmondsley Wood an interesting and tranquil place to spend the afternoon.

Edmondsley Wood

Location

The reserve is 3 miles south west of Chester-le-Street, near Edmondsley. Access is from the Edmondsley to Holmside road, via a public footpath which starts half a mile west of Edmondsley crossroads. There is limited parking in a lay-by almost opposite the start of the path. Within the wood, there is a circular footpath around the eastern part. Access for people with disabilities is quite difficult.

Approximately 13 km (8 miles) by road from Durham City centre.

Grid reference: NZ 250 505

Facilities

Woodland paths.

Enquiries

Durham Wildlife Trust
Rainton Meadows
Chilton Moor
Houghton-Le-Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH4 6PU

Telephone: 0191 5843112