Pontburn Woods

About the Site

Pontburn Woods are about 89 hectares and contain the most extensive area of deciduous woodland still remaining in the Derwent Valley. It is mostly located between the A694 and the B6310 and immediately south of the latter road. To the north and south of this area the woods are dominated by Scots pine, Norway spruce and larch planted in the nineteen fifties and sixties, though at the southern end of the woods broadleaves again become dominant, especially birch and open glades full of bracken.

The woods are an important feature in the local landscape and with an extensive network of paths and tracks, are well used. To the north of Pontburn Woods, across the River Derwent, lies Chopwell Wood, which is owned by Forest Enterprise.

The main area of deciduous woodland is dominated by oak, ash and elm with alder growing in the wetter areas, whilst the drier slopes consist largely of oak and birch. A scattering of conifers also grows throughout this area, some of which have attained a considerable height and girth. The woods are of additional interest due to the presence of small-leaved lime, which is reaching its northern limit in Britain at this site.

The shrub layer contains species such as holly, hawthorn, rowan, elder and hazel. Look out for the catkins produced by hazel in the spring, known as ‘lamb’s-tails’ because of their cream coloured, woolly appearance. The hazel’s forked twigs are also occasionally used for water divining. Thick mats of moss cover the trunks of mature trees and form soft green carpets on the woodland floor. The ground layer of the wood includes species such as wood-sorrel, bluebell and wood anemone, which scatter the floor with blues and whites in the spring.

The woodland supports good populations of breeding birds. If you see a bird edging down a tree trunk, this is likely to be a nuthatch, not to be confused with tree-creepers that creep upwards.

Rare insects may be found on the site including the Brown Lacewing, a delicately winged insect.

The site is split in two by the railway viaduct carrying part of the Derwent Valley Railway Path.

Pontburn Woods

Location

Pontburn Woods can be accessed off the A694 between Hamsterley and Rowlands Gill and from the B6310 between Hamsterley Mill and Burnopfield.

Grid ref: NZ 145545

Facilities

The woods contain an extensive network of public and permissive paths giving access to most parts of the site. A small public car park is located just off the B6310 on the left as you travel from Hamsterley Mill, immediately after crossing the small bridge, just beyond the gates leading to Hamsterley Hall.

Enquiries

Woodland Trust
Autumn Park
Dysart Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 6LL
Tel: 01476 581 111