Rainton Park Wood

About the Site

Rainton Park Wood is lowland, mature deciduous woodland, mainly composed of oak, ash and sycamore. There are occasional pockets of alder near the River Wear. It is semi ancient woodland, probably clear felled during World War II, and replanted with oak. About 40 small-leaved lime trees are present in the wood, which is near the northern limit of distribution for this species.

The shrub layer is well developed with hawthorn, holly, hazel and rowan and the ground layer includes a good range of typical woodland species such as great wood-rush, dogs mercury, woodruff and a variety of ferns. Field rose is also found here - a rarity in County Durham.

There is a small area of heather in an open area at the top of the bank with sweet cicely and other bank side plants. A stone paved track runs from the river into a disused drift mine along Mally Gill.

Mallygill Wood was severed from the main body of Rainton Park Wood by the A1M Motorway. A former ancient woodland, felled and replanted during the 18th century and then clear felled during World War II, its most important features are the ancient 'Bell Pits'. Mallygill has been designated a 'Scheduled Ancient Monument' by English Heritage because of these.

An ancient beech stool can be found in Mallygill Wood. It is assumed to be about 400 years old, which predates planting of beech in northern England. This therefore could be native and perhaps the most northern spread native beech in Great Britain. Hornbeam, ash and oak are also present. There are historic records of red squirrel in the woodland, but, as is often the case, this species may now have been replaced by the grey squirrel.

Rainton Park Wood

Location

From West Rainton, take the A690 to Durham. After approximately 2 km take the footpath on the right, which leads alongside a wood, over the motorway, ending at Rainton Park Wood.
Grid reference: NZ303463

Facilities

None.

Enquiries

National Trust
Scot’s Gap
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 4EG
Tel: 01670 774 691