Hellhole Wood

About the Site

Hellhole Wood is a 19 hectare conifer dominated woodland planted on an ancient woodland site. Although most of the wood is now under conifers, the ground flora still contains characteristic elements of ancient woodland flora, such as blue bells and dog’s mercury. The site lies in an attractive wooded valley next to Beamish Open Air Museum, one of the region’s most popular visitor attractions.

Conifers growing in Hellhole Wood include Corsican pine, Scot’s pine, Douglas fir, Western hemlock and Larch. When older, Scots pine can be distinguished by the reddy-brown colouring of the bark towards the top of its trunk. The distinctive aroma of its needles when rubbed can identify Douglas fir. Try crushing a few needles in your hand to release their refreshing citrus smell.

Bluebells

Smaller trees and shrubs in the wood include rowan, elder, holly and guelder rose. The bright red berries of guelder rose, rowan and holly are an important source of food for woodland birds in the autumn and winter. Honeysuckle is also abundant here with its stems tangled around the trunks and branches of trees and its colourful, sweet, honey-scented flowers in spring.

Wood Anemone

During spring, the woodland floor is lit up with bright coloured flowers, particularly alongside the wide track running east to west through the wood where the rich pink spikes of the common spotted orchid flower may be seen. Other plants you may see include foxglove, wood sorrel, bluebell and wood anemone. 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.

Red Squirrel

Along the banks of Letch Burn and in other damp areas in the wood a number of plants suited to moist conditions grow, such as meadowsweet, lesser celandine and wild angelica. An aroma of garlic in this part of the wood is given off by ramsons, the wild cousin of the garlic used in every day cooking.

Red squirrels can still be seen in Hellhole Wood.

Contrary to the image conjured up by its name, Hellhole Wood is a colourful and peaceful place to visit and take a walk.

Hellhole Wood

Location

Hellhole Wood is situated to the west of Beamish Open Air Museum, off the A693, GR NZ 213 5238.

Facilities

A public car park is located just off the roundabout on the A693, on the left of the minor road that takes you towards the entrance to the museum. From here the wood can be visited by walking along the track leading westwards out from the northwest corner of the car park.

Enquiries

Woodland Trust
Autumn Park
Dysart Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 6LL
Tel: 01476 581111