Nature reserves
Come and visit our nature reserves! We have a number of reserves across County Durham, which are ideal places to visit for watching birds, butterflies and a variety of other wildlife.
The nature reserves vary from woodland to grassland, heathland to coastal, so whichever habitats you are interested in, there is somewhere to visit.
Where can I visit?
Name of nature reserve | Location (link opens a location map in our GIS system) | Downloadable leaflet |
---|---|---|
Aykley Wood | northeast of County Hall, on A691 Durham City | |
Blackhall Rocks | off A1086, southeast of Blackhall Colliery | |
Bracken Hill | south of Bracken Hill Industrial Estate, Shotton Colliery | |
Chapman's Well | on A6076, southeast of Annfield Plain | |
Chester Moor | off A167, east of Chester Moor | |
Cong Burn Wood | north of Waldridge village | |
Coxhoe Quarry Wood | northeast of Coxhoe | |
Crimdon Dunes | off A1086, south of Blackhall Colliery | |
Crowtrees | west of Quarrington Hill | |
Daisy Hill | on Edmondsley to Waldridge road, east of Edmondsley | |
Egglesburn Wood | west of Eggleston | |
Ferryhill Carrs | east of Ferryhill | |
Greencroft Heath | off A693, south of Annfield Plain | |
Hayberries | southwest of Eggleston | |
Horden Grassland | east of Horden Industrial Estate | |
Kingswood | south of Quarrington Hill | |
Limekiln Gill | behind Cotsford Park Estate, southeast of Horden | |
Littlewood | on B6291, northeast of Quarrington Hill | |
Low Newton Junction | east of Newton Hall | |
Noses Point | off A182, south of Dawdon | |
Pity Me Carrs | east of Pity Me | |
Tanfield Lea Marsh | north of Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate | |
Willington Wood | north of Willington | |
Wingate Quarry | on B1278, west of Wingate | |
Witton Dene | off A691, south of Witton Gilbert |
More information
- Visit our countryside
- Country parks
- Picnic areas
- Railway paths
- Countryside events and guided walks
- Support your local environment by becoming a countryside volunteer.
There are designated barbecue areas at both Hardwick Park and Wharton Park. Unauthorised fires and barbecues are not permitted on any other of our countryside sites.
Other sources of information
- Public Rights of Way
- Durham Wildlife Trust
- Durham Heritage Coast
- Natural England
- Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) (wheelchairs, pushchairs and buggies)
Contact us
- Countryside Service
- countryside@durham.gov.uk
- 03000 264 589
Related information