allen banks and staward gorge - national trust · the woodlands at allen banks and staward gorge...

The woodlands at Allen Banks and StawardGorge are part of the largest area ofancient woodland in the North PenninesAONB. Like almost all woodlands in Britain,they have been managed for centuries.

The National Trust, with support from the ForestryCommission, are working on a long term woodlandmanagement project to:

• remove introduced species of trees and shrubs• encourage the re-establishment of native species.

There are three main woodland types describedhere, each needing its own special management.

Many of the plants and animals living here arequite rare. The long term aim is to restore theancient and historic woodlands for wildlife – andfor people to enjoy.

‘‘WWooooddllaanndd mmaannaaggeemmeenntt’’ ssppeeaakkWe foresters have our own specialised words for thethings we do. This is what we mean when we talkabout managing the woodlands:

‘thinning’ – removing some trees to give morespace for others to grow.

‘selective felling’ – removing a group oftrees, or a certain type of tree (see photo).

‘clear cutting’ –completely clearing a

whole area of trees, toallow regrowth or replanting.

‘coppicing’ – trees cut to nearground level every 5-25 yearsand then allowed to regrow.

‘regeneration’ – the growthof new seedlings in a clearedarea.

Ornamental woods

Allen Banks has long been appreciated for its naturalbeauty, but less well known is its historical importance asthe ‘wilderness area’ of Ridley Hall’s Victorian garden.

Many of the trees were planted,features created and walks laidout by the former owners. Thishistoric landscape is beingmaintained, for example, byensuring that there are healthyyoung trees growing to replaceageing ones.

Regeneration Rhododendron bushes supportlittle wildlife so they have beencleared in places to stop themspreading and to allow otherplants to grow.

Long term management is needed to look after semi-naturalwoodlands on the estate. We call these woods ’ancient’ ifthe site has been wooded since the 1600s or longer. Pocketsof these woods remain in places, rich in animal and plantlife. Small areas are felled to improve wildlife habitats.Dormice still live here, the only known colony in the entireregion, and the most northerly in Britain.

Ancient semi-natural woodland

Woodland refuge?In recent years the number of British woodland birds like thespotted flycatcher and song thrush has declined. But thanks toactive woodland management you can still see them here.

Explore the woods at Allen Banksand Staward Gorge

Take a walk inthe woods…

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Allendale

Allen Banks& Staward Gorge

Start your walks from here

No. 685 Newcastle-Carlisle bus stops at the road endon the A69 (

1⁄2mile) tel: Traveline on 0870 6082608

To find out moreThis is one of a series of walks leaflets to help you discover theNorth Pennines AONB. Why not try one of the others?

Contact the AONB Partnership on the tel no below.info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk www.northpennines.org.uk

We can provide the informationcontained in this leaflet in large print,different formats and other languageson request. Please call 01388 528801.Printed on 150gsm Evolution Satin paper: 75% recycled fibre (60% post-consumer; 15%post-industrial, 25% virgin fibre - 10% of which is FSC sourced); FSC & NAPM certification;Elemental Chlorine Free. Please re-use and recycle

Unless otherwise credited, photos by: Wyn Barnes, Eric Dale, Lesley Silvera, Marcus Byron, Neil Diment, Scott Dixon & Denis Fleming

02/07/5000

How to get there

The North Pennines conjures up images ofpurple heather covered moors, lead miningremains and remote dales where traditionalways of farming still survive.

But there are delightful pockets of woodlandto explore too. Along the banks of the RiverAllen near where it joins the River Tyne, you’llfind the largest concentration of woodlandsin the North Pennines – with a network ofpaths to help you explore!

Many miles of woodland walksEnjoy the many walks –long or short through light and shade–with stunning views over the river valleys.

If you look closely, you can discover different types of woods,from the ornamental woodlands planted in Victorian times, toancient woodlands that in places seem to have beenundisturbed for centuries.

A great place for a family day out...Explore one of the trails through the woodsat Allen Banks; there are many quiet spotsfor picnics and paddling.

Dare they cross the springysuspension bridges?

Not just any old woods…Plantations

These are sites which have been planted and managedmainly for timber production. On some of these sites on theestate where there was ancient woodland in the past, thesewoods are being restored by thinning and selective felling.

On others, which were planted with conifers in the 1960s,some clear cutting is taking place to create new nativewoodland areas.

Woodsman, spare that tree?

You may see or, more likely, hear tree felling. Work goes onthroughout the year on the estate cutting down trees.

Ancient indicatorSome plants, whenfound together, indicatethat a woodland isancient. Unfortunatelythey struggle to growunder dense, unthinnedstands of conifers.Removing them letsmore light through, sothat plants like wildgarlic (seen herecarpeting the woodlandfloor) can thrive again.

Younger members of the familycan join me on a Family TreeTrail though the woods.

An inspiring landscape

...your guide awaits!Pick up a map and guide fromthe Allen Banks car park.

Spotted flycatcher

Song thrush

Explore the woods at Allen Banksand Staward Gorge

Take a walk inthe woods…

Produced by:

and funded by in association with©RSPB images.com/Andy Hay

©RSPB images.com/Andy Hay

John Martin Trailto Haydon Bridge

John Martin Trailfrom Haydon Bridge

to A69 (½ mile)

to Alston

to Haydon Bridge

Plankey Mill

A686

Walks Wood

Ridley Hall(not open to the public)

The National Trust’s waymarked trails all start from here.

BriarwoodBanks

Staward Peel Wood

Cupola Bridge

Carling Heugh

River Allen

River Allen

Staward

Staward Peel

Morralee TarnMorralee Wood

0

N

0

½ mile

0.5 km

This is the place where locally born Victorian artistJohn Martin sought his inspiration. As a child hewent on solitary rambles, ‘seeking all that wasgrand, romantic and beautiful’. Follow his trailtoday from Morralee Wood to Staward Peel.

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge arelovely to visit at any time of year:spring – the trees are in bud, birds are singingand early woodland flowers like bluebells canbe seen.

summer – the trees are in full leaf, butterfliesabound, bats flit along the river at dusk, andlater flowering plants like wood avens appear.

autumn – colourful trees, fruits, seeds andsmelly fungi!

winter – the trees are bare and views are lessobscured. Down by the river, look for animaltracks in the snow.

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From Plankey Mill explore the woodedvalley of Staward Gorge – much of it‘planted ancient woodland’. Climb highabove the valley floor, reaching a ruinedmedieval peel tower with stunning viewsover the tree tops.

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Briarwood Banks, an ancient semi-naturalwoodland, is now managed as a naturereserve by the Northumberland WildlifeTrust. But it is not as ‘natural’ as it seems:look for signs of human activity. Hazel,when coppiced, quickly sprouts many thintrunks to provide a valuable source ofwood. Uses ranged from making charcoalto producing spars for heather thatching.

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The woods you’ll see at Allen Banks havebeen influenced in many ways by previousowners. In the mid 1800s, long beforethey came into the care of the NationalTrust, they were owned by Susan Davidsonwho lived at Ridley Hall nearby. Shedevoted much of her life to ‘improving’ thewoodland and creating many walks. Thebeech trees – which are not native to thisarea – were planted in her time.

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Follow the trail from the car park to asmall tarn, surrounded by manyornamental trees, including Scot’s pineand larch, planted in the 1800s. Todayrhododendron plants, also introduced atthat time, have to be kept in check.

Woods were an important source of fuel inmedieval times. Ash, oak, alder, hazel and elmwould all have been managed as coppice here inthe past. The National Trust are reviving suchtraditional woodland management in places ontheir estate. Compare these photos taken atCarling Haugh, near Staward Peel, taken over acentury apart.

© Northumberland Record Office

Explore the woods around Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

Trails

Woodland types

Ornamental

Ancient semi-natural woodland

Plantations

Other woodland

Pay and display car park

Toilets

Other paths linking with the estate

from Allen Banks:Morralee Wood 1½ miles (2 km) – 1 hour

from Haydon Bridge:John Martin Heritage Trail 10 miles (15 km) – all day

Walks Wood 2 miles (3.5 km) – 1½ hours

Plankey Mill*3 miles (4.5 km) – 2 hours

Staward Peel 5½ miles (9 km) – half day

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The car park was once the walled kitchengarden for Ridley Hall. The surroundingwoods were its pleasure grounds.

All that is ‘grand,romantic and beautiful’

* At the time of going to print, Plankey Mill footbridge is closed for safety reasons.Northumberland County Council hope that the bridge will be reopened sometime in2007. Please check information notices on the approach paths and in the car park.

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This leaflet was produced as part of the North East AONBs Woodland Project. The North Pennines and Northumberland Coast AONB Staff Units together withthe Forestry Commission and Natural England have assessed the quality of the woodlands in both AONBs and provide advice to managers of the woods.

A walk for all seasons