Grasslees Burn Wood

This reserve features a fine mix of semi-ancient woodland, as well as a pretty burn, providing perfect habitat for some interesting flora and fauna.

Location

5km north of Elsdon near the B6341

Elsdon

Northumberland

OS Map Reference

NY 953 975

Know before you go

Size

6 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

Use the parking area for the Darden Lough walk, about 0.5 miles north of Grasslees Farm (nearest postcode NE65 7AU, grid ref OL42 NY958982). Parking is available in the lay-by on the B6341 (OL42 958982), where there is space for several cars.

Walking trails

Follow the Darden Lough walk until it crosses the burn then bear right on the marked route. The public footpath from the lay-by to the reserve is uneven and unsurfaced, very muddy in places and there is a small, narrow footbridge in the valley bottom.

Access

Entrance to the reserve is 800m from the nearest road (OL42 953975), through a wide latch gate. To reach the reserve from the lay-by, a narrow kissing-gate leads onto a grass footpath, which eventually bears south-west after crossing the Grasslees Burn. Access is via two fences without stiles. There are moderately steep slopes in places, and the terrain is very muddy in the valley bottom. There are no footpaths within the reserve, and tussocky/stony ground has to be negotiated.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

24/7/365

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

An area of ancient semi-natural woodland which contains stands of alder and birch in the wetter areas with oak, rowan and ash where the ground is drier. At the northern end of the site are butterwort, lousewort and marsh violet.

Nearer the burn there are fens dominated by yellow flag and meadowsweet. Parts of the site are bracken-dominated but contain a good spring flora. Birds include pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler, cuckoo and woodcock. Roe deer are now excluded to encourage regeneration of parts of the woodland, which seems to be very successful, particularly for birch. The reserve is managed in association with the Defence Estates of Northumberland National Park Authority.