Tanfield Lea Marsh Local Nature Reserve

About the Site

Tanfield Lea Marsh is a low lying pocket of land along Houghwell Burn to the north of Stanley. It is approximately 28 hectares in size and is sandwiched between two industrial development sites. It is a joint site that belongs to Durham County Council and Derwentside District Council.

Although the area has been drained in the past, a number of habitats that are of ecological importance still remain. These include an extensive central area of wetland consisting of marsh, ponds and seasonally flooded grassland. Surrounding this area lies pasture and fields that have recently being converted from arable to wildflower meadows. Most of these are bounded by ancient hedgerows.

There are areas of planted woodland and patches of naturally occurring wet alder woodland and willow carr. Houghwell Burn runs through the length of the site.

Wetland vegetation recorded at the site include reedmace, bulrush, common spike-rush, northern spike-rush, floating sweet-grass, bur-reed and mare’s tail, the latter is scarce in County Durham. Other species include valerian, great burnet, birds foot-trefoil, yellow-rattle, common spotted orchid and northern fen orchid.

There have been recent sightings of short eared owls, breeding grey partridge, pipistrelle bat. There have also been signs of water vole, weasel, common shrew, siskin and smooth newt - all of which are targeted in the Biodiversity Action Plan.

The position of the site, between woodland to the east and Causey Burn with Causey Arch and picnic area to the west, creates a valuable link forming an extensive wildlife corridor with excellent opportunities for use by people, plants, bird and animals.

Tanfield Lea Marsh

Location

Approximately 2 km (1 mile) by road north of Stanley. Approximately 10 km (6 miles) by road, in an easterly direction from Consett.
Grid Ref: NZ 195543

Facilities

Car parking is available.

Enquiries

Countryside Group
Durham County Council
Environment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel 0191 383 3594

Derwentside District Council
Planning Division
Civic Centre
Consett
DH8 5JA
Tel: 01207 218 304

Derwentside District Council