Allenheads Plantation

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Allenheads Plantation

Carriers' Way south of Dodd Reservoir A hill walker on the Carriers&#039; Way heading towards Killhope Law, the hill to the right side of the image. Dodd Reservoir is above the camera position, also to the right, but out of view. — Carriers' Way south of Dodd Reservoir Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Allenheads Plantation is a picturesque woodland located in Northumberland, England. Situated near the village of Allenheads, the plantation covers an extensive area of approximately 300 hectares. The plantation is nestled within the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering visitors a serene and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The woodland is predominantly composed of coniferous trees, including Scots pine, Sitka spruce, and Douglas fir. These towering trees provide a dense canopy, creating a shaded and cool environment throughout the year. The understory is adorned with a variety of native flora, such as bluebells, foxgloves, and ferns, adding a splash of vibrant colors to the woodland floor.

Allenheads Plantation is a haven for wildlife, boasting a rich biodiversity. Visitors may encounter a plethora of bird species, including buzzards, woodpeckers, and owls, as well as small mammals like red squirrels and rabbits. The plantation's peaceful atmosphere and diverse habitats make it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers.

The plantation offers a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore the woodland at their own pace. These paths wind through the trees, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the nearby River East Allen. Picnic areas and benches are scattered throughout the plantation, providing the perfect spots to rest and admire the natural beauty.

Allenheads Plantation is a cherished local asset, attracting both residents and tourists alike. Its idyllic setting, diverse wildlife, and accessible trails make it a popular destination for outdoor activities, nature walks, and family outings.

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Allenheads Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.795754/-2.2237654 or Grid Reference NY8544. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Carriers' Way south of Dodd Reservoir

A hill walker on the Carriers' Way heading towards Killhope Law, the hill to the right side of the image. Dodd Reservoir is above the camera position, also to the right, but out of view.

Trevor Littlewood

Summit cairn on Burtree Fell

The summit of Burtree Fell is flat. Its accepted high point lies to the east of a ruined wall although OS mapping gives a spot height of 612 m. closer to the wall which is shown in the image. The cairn is a more impressive one than has been seen there on earlier visits . There's a trig point not far away to the east but at 607 m., it's lower. Killhope Law is in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

Parked vehicles and trailers at Allenheads

The area beyond the low wall is part of the site of the Beaumont Mine which was originally a lead mine but more recently it was worked for fluorspar. The bays in the distance separated by stepped walls date from the lead mining phase.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland beyond ruined wall at Pike Dike Nook

Pike Dike Nook is a location on moorland south of Allenheads at or close to the southern point of a coniferous plantation. Killhope Law is the more pointed skyline hill to the left in the image; right from it is Carrshield Moor.

Trevor Littlewood

Trig point on Burtree Fell

The column stands at 607 m. on moorland which is not the hill's summit; that lies to the west, ahead in the image, and is five metres higher. The most distant location, well beyond the Burtree Fell summit, is Killhope Law.

Trevor Littlewood

Ruins of Rookhope Head

The building at Rookhope Head stands on desolate moorland at the head of Rook Hope; it has been deserted at least for many decades. An image from 2013 - Link - shows some of the main roof timbers and stones in place: all collapsed now. The wooden electricity supply poles have also been removed.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland beyond ruined wall

The wall is on the north-western slope of Burtree Fell. The wooden boxes beside it are used by gamekeepers for supplying, out on the moorland, grit for the use of grouse. The broad ridge extending into the distance goes over Westend Moor to Killhope Law.

Trevor Littlewood

Ruined buildings on slope of Byerhope

The valley cutting through the image is Byerhope, hope being a term meaning valley. The line of trees at the left side of the image conceal Byerhope Reservoir, a relic of the local lead mining industry. Several ruined buildings can be seen between the trees and the camera location; the one partly hidden by the nearest of them is Heather View.

Trevor Littlewood

Incipient stream groove with bog asphodel

Grass with a few clumps of flowering heather dominate the moorland but there's a winding groove which has the yellow flowers of bog asphodel, (Narthecium ossifragum). As its name suggests the plant favours wetter areas, such as the stream groove.

Trevor Littlewood

Site of Allenheads Smelt Mill (Lead), Dirt Pot

On the right side of the photo is the road which leads over the moors to Coalcleugh. The terraced houses known as Slag Hill can be seen in the distance on the right. The remains of Mill Dam, (now filled with reeds) can be seen just left of the existing building (possibly the smeltmill peat store). The other masonry structure is in the centre just below the reservoir. The course of the horizontal flue can be seen extending to the left, directly below the lefthand end of the Mill Dam.

Andrew Curtis

Buildings at site of Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill

"Lead smelting mill built by the Blacketts in the early 18th century. By 1821 it had three ore hearths, one roasting furnace, and one slag hearth in operation. The mill closed in 1870. Surviving remains consist of a 3118m long flue, a row of deserted cottages and an overgrown reservoir. The mill was mainly for smelted ores for Allenheads and Coalcleugh mines, but was kept to working capacity by ores from Weardale mines. The mill closed in 1870. It had horizontal flues 3410 yards (3118m) long for carrying off the fumes." Northumberland HER (7251): Link

Ordnance Survey Durham Sheet XV (Surveyed: 1858, Published: 1861): Link

OS 25 inch published 1897: Link

The large stone building (which remains in use) is shown in the same location on the first edition 6" OS and may retain parts of an original building of the smeltmill. The ruined stonework to its south is also on in the location of an older building although this is shown as a sheepwash on the 2nd edition 25" OS (Published: 1897) and in a photo (c.1967) from the Allen Valleys Local History Group: Link

Archive Link

The smeltmill horizontal flue originally extended to the south-west to a location high up on Middlehope Moor.

Andrew Curtis

Remains of flue near Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill

Ordnance Survey Durham Sheet XV (Surveyed: 1858, Published: 1861): Link

OS 25 inch published 1897: Link

Archive Link

The smeltmill horizontal flue originally extended to the south-west to a location high up on Middlehope Moor.

Andrew Curtis

Site of Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill from west

Ordnance Survey Durham Sheet XV (Surveyed: 1858, Published: 1861): Link

OS 25 inch published 1897: Link

Archive Link

The smeltmill horizontal flue originally extended to the south-west to a location high up on Middlehope Moor.

Andrew Curtis

Remains of structure at site of Allenheads Lead Smelt Mill

Shown as a 'sheepwash' on early Ordnance Survey sheets but the old OS maps suggest that it was built on the remains of an earlier structure of the Lead Smelt Mill. "The sheep dip was situated on the site of the Smelt Mill. It was on the south side of Slag Hill, just below the dam, which held the water for the Mill. The sheep dip was filled from this dam by releasing a sluice gate allowing water to flow through a pipe into the dip. The sheep were first put in this area below the dip and then put into the large metal bath by a farmer. In the bath they were held in and had their heads put in by another farmer. They then climbed out, shook themselves and dripped there until they were released back onto the fell through a small gate to the right of the picture. As they went out one at a time they were counted. They were dipped in August during the war years but twice a year in the 1950’s. This sheep dip was used by all the farmers in Allenheads and Sparty Lea." Allen Valleys Local History Group: Link

Archive Link

Andrew Curtis