Flass Vale

About the Site

Flass Vale lies within the boundaries of Durham City and has the Flass Stream running through it.

The Vale formerly consisted of woodland, bog and meadows. In Victorian times it contained formal gardens and a curling pond. The 20 hectare site now consists of woodland and areas of dry grassland and there are two abandoned sand quarries from more recent times. An area in the centre of the site was tipped with rubble about 40 years ago and a plant community characteristic of rough ground has now developed here. A waterlogged area containing a number of marshy plants surrounds the rubble.

The east-facing slope of Flass Vale is covered with oak trees, holly and elder with some patches of sycamore. A display of bluebells may be seen in the more varied area of woodland to the north of the site. Here, other typical woodland plants such as wood sorrel and wood anemone grow alongside the bluebells.

The leaves of wood sorrel may be mistaken for those of clover but with closer inspection around Easter time its delicate, veined white flowers can be seen.

Gorse scrub with oak and sycamore cover the west-facing slope. Gorse produces bright yellow flowers for up to nine months of the year brightening up the landscape when there is often little other colour around. It's worth visiting this area in late spring and summer to smell the sweet coconut aroma of gorse. Gorse is a great plant for insects and intricate cocoon-like spiders webs can be seen amongst the prickly branches.

The waterlogged area around the tipped rubble in the centre of the site supports a completely different set of plants to the rest of the Vale. Species here include marsh cuckoo flower, soft rush, water mint, common spotted orchid and lesser celandine.

Water mint is one of 14 mints that grow wild in Britain which all have distinctly different smells, but always with that familiar minty scent. Look out for the common spotted orchid in late spring with its spotted leaves and rich pink spike of flowers. These orchids occasionally produce pale pink or even white flowers that look like they belong to a different species of plant.

Foxes and badgers live in the Reserve alongside a whole host of woodland birds including great spotted woodpeckers and jays. Listen out for the drumming noise created by the woodpeckers pecking the tree trunks as they search for insects to eat. It is possible to catch a glimpse of a tawny owl - they are usually active at night but have been known to come out in the daytime as well, especially if it is quiet.

The urban setting of Flass Vale means that it is an important refuge for plants and particularly mammals. It is an excellent place to visit as it is easily accessible with a number of footpaths passing through.

Flass Vale

Location

Take the A690 south west out of Durham City, until it reaches the A167. Here, turn right onto the A167. Grid reference: NZ 263428.

Facilities

None.

Enquiries

Durham City Council
Department of Environmental Services
Byland Lodge
Hawthorn Terrace
Durham
DH1 4TD

Tel: 0191 3866111