Bell Crag Flow

This sprawling reserve forms part of the Border Mires, a large area of rare peat bog around Kielder Forest managed by NWT and Forestry England for its conservation value.

Location

Between Hadrian's Wall and Stonehaugh

Stonehaugh

Northumberland

OS Map Reference

NY 777 727

Know before you go

Size

99 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

Please contact the Forestry Commission for further information (www.forestry.gov.uk)

Walking trails

The site is signposted from the Pennine Way between Hadrian's Wall and Stonehaugh. There is no footpath or boardwalk present. The terrain is very wet, boggy, frequently flooded and difficult to traverse.

Access

Generally, access is difficult due to the remote location requiring a long walk over difficult terrain. There is open access on foot as long as accessed from a public right of way or other public access land but a permit is required to access the reserve by vehicle.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

24/7/365

Best time to visit

Visits by the general public are not recommended. We recommend a visit to Butterburn Flow an alternative Border Mire site.

About the reserve

As with many of the important Border Mires (a group of 58 peat bogs in and around Kielder Forest on the Northumberland and Cumbria border), Bell Crag Flow is largely very wet and boggy and is in the main, very difficult to access. The site is important for its conservation value, and whilst of international significance, visits by the general public are not recommended due to the remote location and severe access restrictions.

The Border Mires lie scattered around the southern part of Kielder Forest and many have recently seen a huge amount of restoration work following past damage through drainage and tree planting. Bell Crag Flow has been undergoing restoration work following a short period where peat extraction occurred, and it is now recovering well and offers a haven for the specialist wildlife that lives here.

The majority of Border Mire sites are owned by Forest Enterprise and managed by a group of partners including NWT. Bell Crag Flow reserve is managed in partnership with the Forestry Commission.