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Durham County Council Information Service
Finchale Priory

Waldridge Fell Country Park

The site is a patchwork of heather, bilberry and moorland grasses with wooded valleys to the north west and south east. There is an extensive network of paths that allow you to fully explore the site (two of the paths are designated 'easy access' routes - suitable for visitors with a physical disability).

There are many seats scattered throughout the site, where you can pause and take in the panoramic views of the Fell and surrounding countryside.

Waldridge Fell Country Park

Waldridge Fell Country Park - Map

[Waldridge Fell Map

Natural History

Waldridge Fell is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is one of the few remaining areas of 'Lowland Heath' in the North East (moorland less than 500ft above sea level).

Other habitat types found on Waldridge Fell include woodland (mainly broadleaf) and wetland / bog. These different habitats provide a home for a wide variety of plants and animals. Plants such as heather, bilberry, matt grass and tormentil can be found on the open heath. In parts of the woodland dominated by oak and birch, wavy-hair grass carpets the ground. In the wetter woodland areas hemlock water dropwort, marsh marigold grow beneath the alder. The wide variety of plants found in the bog area known as wanister bog include common cottongrass, bogbean and tufted hair grass.

Marsh MarigoldBogbeanHeather

The animal species include the weasel, vole, common lizard, cuckoo (summer visitor), meadow pipit and the butterfly Green Hairstreak.

Information

Location


Facilities

  • Free Parking
  • Benches and seats
  • Network of paths, two of the paths are designated 'easy access' routes - suitable for visitors with a physical disability (including wheelchair users).
Enquiries:
Tel: 0191 3833594

The car parking areas are level. There are two surfaced paths that are designated 'easy access', these have some sloped sections. Much of Waldridge Fell has steep slopes, uneven surfaces and narrow paths making it unsuitable or difficult for wheelchair access.

Wheelchair Logo


Area

  • 115 hectares (284 acres)

Waldridge Fell Further Info