Willington North Dene

About the Site

Willington North Dene is a 4 hectare area of ancient woodland that runs alongside the Willington Burn. It contains a wide variety of broadleaf tree species with a rich ground flora typical of these woodlands, dating back to medieval times.

The trees in the Dene are mainly oak, ash, wych elm, beech, downy birch, sycamore and rowan. It is worth visiting the woodland blocks containing beech trees in the autumn, as their leaves turn a vibrant shade of orange before they fall to the ground.

The well-developed understorey within Willington North Dene contains species such as holly, hazel and hawthorn. Hazel produces soft, cream coloured catkins in the spring that are commonly called ‘lamb’s tails’. Mature hazel shrubs also produce hazel (or cob) nuts in the autumn which, along with the bright red berries of hawthorn, provide an important food source for small mammals such as wood mice. The leaves towards the top of holly bushes are often much less prickly than the ones lower down. This is thought to be because the tree needs less protection at the top from grazing deer.

The woodland floor is littered with the colours of woodland plants. The violet flowers of dog-violet and the bright yellow star shaped flowers of lesser celandine produce the first splashes of colour on the woodland floor in early spring. This soon gives way to the rich aromatic purple carpets of bluebells that flourish in late spring. A number of fern species are also common throughout the Dene, including broad buckler, hard and lady ferns.

Marshy plants grow in the wetter areas of the wood alongside the burn and within the site of a former paddling pool. The frothy white flowers of meadowsweet with their dill-like aroma and the soft pink flowers of valerian spill out over these marshy areas in July.

There is a circular footpath running around the wood.

Willington North Dene

Location

From Durham, follow the A690 towards Crook for approximately 14 km. Turn right at Willington, on to the B6299. After 200 m a footpath on the right leads to Willington North Dene.
Grid reference: NZ 194357

Facilities

An equipped children's play area adjoins the site, there is seating and an information board.

Enquiries

Wear Valley District Council
Civic Centre
North Terrace
Crook
Tel: 01388 765555