Hill Rigg Wood

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Hill Rigg Wood

View towards Goatstones Farm
View towards Goatstones Farm Credit: Les Hull

Hill Rigg Wood is a captivating woodland located in Northumberland, England. Stretching across an area of approximately 200 acres, this enchanting forest is nestled within the picturesque landscape of the North Pennines. Hill Rigg Wood is renowned for its diverse and thriving ecosystem, boasting a rich variety of flora and fauna.

The woodland consists primarily of native tree species, including oak, ash, birch, and rowan. These majestic trees create a dense canopy overhead, forming a cool and shaded environment. Beneath the towering trees, a lush understory of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers flourishes, adding vibrant colors to the woodland floor.

Hill Rigg Wood is home to a plethora of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Visitors may be lucky enough to spot red squirrels darting between the branches, or catch a glimpse of elusive woodland birds such as woodpeckers and owls. The forest is also inhabited by deer, badgers, and various small mammals, adding to the diversity of the ecosystem.

The wood is crisscrossed with a network of well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its beauty at their own pace. These trails wind through the forest, offering glimpses of stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The tranquil atmosphere of Hill Rigg Wood makes it an ideal destination for those seeking solace and respite from the bustling city life.

Managed by local conservation organizations, Hill Rigg Wood is a cherished natural treasure, providing a serene sanctuary for both wildlife and humans alike. Its unspoiled beauty and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

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Hill Rigg Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.061536/-2.2315567 or Grid Reference NY8574. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View towards Goatstones Farm
View towards Goatstones Farm
Footpath approaching Castle Burn
Footpath approaching Castle Burn
View across the Coal Burn Valley
View across the Coal Burn Valley
Ford through Castle Burn
Ford through Castle Burn
View towards Moorland and Farmland Ford through Castle Burn
View towards Moorland and Farmland
Ford through Castle Burn
Footpath towards Fenwickfield
Footpath towards Fenwickfield
Approaching Footbridge and Ford at Hopeshield Burn
Approaching Footbridge and Ford at Hopeshield Burn
Footbridge and Ford, Hopeshield Burn
Footbridge and Ford, Hopeshield Burn
Allgood Farm
Allgood Farm
Footbridge over Crook Burn The small hamlet of Slaterfield Fell can be seen above.
Footbridge over Crook Burn
The small hamlet of Slaterfield Fell can be seen above.
Crook Burn
Crook Burn
Remains of hedged drove road south of Slaterfield Fell
Remains of hedged drove road south of Slaterfield Fell
Slaterfield Fell & Kirkshield at road end "Outside the south wall of the churchyard [Simonburn] a farm road leads up westward to the fell top. After passing three lonely farms it comes to the quaint house named Kirkshield with its crocketed pinnacles, built as a shooting lodge by a seventeenth century rector. Just past the house the road comes to an end, being crossed by an ancient drove-road. This comes down from the north, its wide grass-track leading southwards towards the Roman Wall and beyond. One wonders how often it has seen stolen lowland cattle being driven northwards in the old days of the moss-troopers."
The Great Parish of Simonburn from Hadrian's Wall to Carter Bar: An Historical Guide by Cecil Dickson Ward Davis (1972).
Slaterfield Fell & Kirkshield at road end
"Outside the south wall of the churchyard [Simonburn] a farm road leads up westward to the fell top. After passing three lonely farms it comes to the quaint house named Kirkshield with its crocketed pinnacles, built as a shooting lodge by a seventeenth century rector. Just past the house the road comes to an end, being crossed by an ancient drove-road. This comes down from the north, its wide grass-track leading southwards towards the Roman Wall and beyond. One wonders how often it has seen stolen lowland cattle being driven northwards in the old days of the moss-troopers." The Great Parish of Simonburn from Hadrian's Wall to Carter Bar: An Historical Guide by Cecil Dickson Ward Davis (1972).
Pasture and shelter-belt north of Slaterfield Fell The stream shown on the smaller scale OS maps (1:25,000 and 1:50,000) as crossing the field occupies a thin band of limestone and now flows underground from sinks on the west side of the improved land, emerging in this hollow in the photo foreground on the east edge. It has been utilised by the landowner to the east of the wall (left) by using it to supply two ponds along its course on the down-slope just above its junction with the Hopeshield Burn <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4817346">NY8573 : Pond above Hopeshield Burn</a>.

A previous photo taken in the opposite direction in evening sunlight <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1142219">NY8572 : Wall north-west of Slaterfield Fell</a> picks out the subtle contours of the shallow valley that runs across the field showing the course of the underground water-course.
Pasture and shelter-belt north of Slaterfield Fell
The stream shown on the smaller scale OS maps (1:25,000 and 1:50,000) as crossing the field occupies a thin band of limestone and now flows underground from sinks on the west side of the improved land, emerging in this hollow in the photo foreground on the east edge. It has been utilised by the landowner to the east of the wall (left) by using it to supply two ponds along its course on the down-slope just above its junction with the Hopeshield Burn NY8573 : Pond above Hopeshield Burn. A previous photo taken in the opposite direction in evening sunlight NY8572 : Wall north-west of Slaterfield Fell picks out the subtle contours of the shallow valley that runs across the field showing the course of the underground water-course.
Pond above Hopeshield Burn
Pond above Hopeshield Burn
'Hollow' track above Hopeshield Burn Hollow tracks on both sides of the valley crossing show the antiquity of the route of the bridleway and former drove road along this course. Old maps, and the current line of the right of way, indicate a more graded descent and ascent on both sides by dog-leg diversions away from its straight line course along the boundary wall <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4817388">NY8473 : Crossing of the Hopeshield Burn</a>. Beyond the stream crossing, the boundary continues as a prominent bank <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1142221">NY8473 : Ruined wall by bridleway west of Fenwickfield</a>
'Hollow' track above Hopeshield Burn
Hollow tracks on both sides of the valley crossing show the antiquity of the route of the bridleway and former drove road along this course. Old maps, and the current line of the right of way, indicate a more graded descent and ascent on both sides by dog-leg diversions away from its straight line course along the boundary wall NY8473 : Crossing of the Hopeshield Burn. Beyond the stream crossing, the boundary continues as a prominent bank NY8473 : Ruined wall by bridleway west of Fenwickfield
Crossing of the Hopeshield Burn The bridleway is provided with a modern wooden footbridge. The ford that would have provided an earlier crossing on the old drove road can be seen to its left and is still used by local farm traffic. The curving course of the track on the opposite slope can be seen on the left taking an easier route up the gradient before returning at the top of the hill to its line along the boundary bank shown on the right.
Crossing of the Hopeshield Burn
The bridleway is provided with a modern wooden footbridge. The ford that would have provided an earlier crossing on the old drove road can be seen to its left and is still used by local farm traffic. The curving course of the track on the opposite slope can be seen on the left taking an easier route up the gradient before returning at the top of the hill to its line along the boundary bank shown on the right.
Footbridge over Hopeshield Burn
Footbridge over Hopeshield Burn
Show me another place!

Hill Rigg Wood is located at Grid Ref: NY8574 (Lat: 55.061536, Lng: -2.2315567)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///launcher.pool.fillers. Near Birtley, Northumberland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.061536,-2.2315567
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 55.0595129/-2.2311592
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 55.0638577/-2.2294172
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 55.0638388/-2.2287363
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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