Castle Eden Dene

About the Site

Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the largest area of natural woodland in North East England. It occupies a deep, steep-sided ravine formed in the Magnesian Limestone and boulder clay of this area of County Durham. The dene vegetation is a survivor of the wild wood which once covered most of Britain. Even today it remains relatively undisturbed by humans due to the difficult terrain of the steep sided ravines.

Over 450 species of plants have been recorded in the wood, many of which are typical of ancient woodlands that date back to pre - medieval times. In early spring, the woodland floor is scattered with the yellow flowers of the primrose and lesser celandine and the white flowers of wood anenome. An aroma of garlic may also be in the air which is given off by ramsons. This plant is the wild cousin of garlic used in everyday cooking. In late spring the yellow and white flowers give way to one of our great wild flower spectacles - thick carpets of bluebells.

A number of rare and unusual plants may also be seen here including bird’s nest orchid, herb paris and lily-of-the-valley. Bird’s nest orchid is a pale yellow-brown colour - including its flowers. Its underground rhizome is surrounded by a tangled mess of fleshy roots resembling a bird’s nest. Herb paris has a thin stem with a whorl of four simple leaves half way up. Its simple, extremely delicate flower can be seen in early summer/late spring. Although lily-of-the-valley has become a popular cultivated plant, it is now quite uncommon growing wild. It produces sweet scented, white flowers in May and June, but beware, all parts of the plant are poisonous!

Herb Paris

The majority of trees of this vast woodland are ancient yews, oak, ash and wych elm. Sycamore is becoming increasingly more frequent in the drier areas of the wood and alder is present at the southern part of the dene. Hazel, guelder rose, spindle, privet and dogwood form the under-storey. These shrubs produce a host of colourful nuts and berries in the autumn with the bright red berries of guelder rose, blue-black berries of privet and dogwood and the unusual pink and red berries of spindle. The berries are an important food source for the numerous woodland birds found in Castle Eden Dene.

Resident birds of the woodland include nuthatch, marsh tit, green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker, waxwings, crossbill, yellowhammers, brambling, siskins and fieldfares.

Another important resident of Castle Eden Dene is the red squirrel, which is a native species restricted to only a handful of sites in the UK. Woodlands like Castle Eden Dene are crucial for the survival of this species.

Red Squirrel

Other more common mammals found in the woodland include badger, fox and roe deer. The woodland also supports a large range of insects which include many nationally and regionally rare species, the best known being the elm feeding moth, Blomer’s rivulet.

Other habitats found within the woodland include a dense stand of grassland and re-vegetating areas where land-slips have occurred. A colourful display of fragrant orchid and rock rose can be seen grassland in the summer.

Castle Eden Dene

Location

Castle Eden Dene is signposted from the A19 and from Peterlee town centre.

By bus, take the bus to Peterlee town centre bus station. Follow the footpath through pine trees at North Blunts (to your right if you face Peterlee Lodge Hotel). Stay on the main tarmac path, keeping left at all junctions until you reach the cricket pitch. Follow the path half way round the pitch, then take the path to your left. You come out opposite Stanhope Chase; follow this, the main driveway to Oakerside Dene Lodge.

Facilities

A small car park is available at Oakerside Dene Lodge.

Good footwear is essential for the steep and sometimes slippery paths.

Enquiries

Natural England Northumbria Team
Oakerside Dene Lodge
Stanhope Chase
Peterlee
Co Durham
SR8 1NJ
Tel: 0191 5860004