Earsdon West Forest

Earsdon West Forest is our first BNG habitat bank, delivering massive biodiversity improvements within our Wilder Druridge landscape.

Location

Just off the A1 at Earsdon

Northumberland

NE61 3ES

OS Map Reference

NZ 197 955

Know before you go

Size

83 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

There is no parking on site, and the access track must be kept clear for neighbouring residents and farm machinery. Please do not block the gateways.

Walking trails

Follow the public footpath through the site, running from the main road up the access track and along the field edge into the woodland. There is a small bridge to cross over the stream and out of the site to the north. The footpath is not paved beyond the access track, and may be muddy at times. Please take care when using the route.

Access

The main entry point is from the south via the public footpath. Alternatively, enter on the public footpath through the farm to the north.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

24/7/365

Best time to visit

Summer and autumn

About the reserve

Purchased in April 2024, the site has previously been managed mostly for grass for the equestrian industry. Earsdon West Forest is close to our existing network of nature reserves in the Druridge Bay landscape, and the site is a key acquisition for NWT as it furthers our ability to deliver nature’s recovery at scale in the landscape.

The site is our first biodiversity net gain habitat bank, and our vision is to restore native species-rich grasslands, woodlands, and hedgerows where nature can thrive. The proximity to our other reserves means that we will be able to deliver increased landscape-connectivity for wildlife.

For more information on biodiversity net gain, visit nwt.org.uk/bng.

We have been able to buy Earsdon West Forest with the help of a loan from a group of philanthropic lenders through We Have The POWER. These generous lenders use their personal funds to enable charitable projects (including land acquisitions for nature restoration) to progress.