Ley Plantation

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Ley Plantation

Notice Board, Westgate Details of a tour of the archaeological excavations at Westgate Castle on Saturday 14th May 2011. — Notice Board, Westgate Credit: Andrew Curtis

Ley Plantation, located in Durham, England, is a sprawling woodland area known for its natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna. Covering an expansive area, the plantation is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and those seeking a tranquil escape from the bustling city life.

The woodland is primarily composed of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, including oak, beech, birch, and pine, creating a rich and vibrant tapestry of colors throughout the seasons. The forest floor is adorned with a variety of wildflowers, ferns, and mosses, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

Ley Plantation boasts an extensive network of well-maintained trails, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. The paths wind through the woodlands, offering picturesque views of ancient trees, babbling brooks, and charming wildlife habitats. Birdwatchers can delight in the diverse avian population, with species such as woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds frequently spotted in the canopy.

For history enthusiasts, Ley Plantation holds significant cultural value. The woodland was once part of the larger Hetton Estate, which dates back to the medieval period. Remnants of the estate's past can still be seen in the form of old boundary walls and the occasional ruins of former structures.

Ley Plantation is a true haven for nature lovers and offers a peaceful and rejuvenating experience for all who visit. Whether one seeks a leisurely stroll, a challenging hike, or simply a moment of tranquility amidst nature, this Durham woodland provides a captivating and memorable experience.

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Ley Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.727784/-2.1196524 or Grid Reference NY9236. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Notice Board, Westgate

Details of a tour of the archaeological excavations at Westgate Castle on Saturday 14th May 2011.

Andrew Curtis

Cottage opposite road junction, Front Street, Westgate

Part of the wall near the entrance to the cottage (8 Front Street) has been lowered, possibly to create a milk-stand. Keys to the Past: Link

Andrew Curtis

Front Street, Westgate

Undated old photo in the Beamish Collection Link

Historic village survey - Westgate: Link

Andrew Curtis

Village Hall, Westgate

The village institute, renamed as the village hall started as a single-storey cottage in the square. A building has been marked on maps here since the first edition Ordnance Survey maps of 1856-65 (1). The building contains a number of features dedicated as war memorials including a plaque and clock on the exterior of the building. Keys to the Past: Link

Andrew Curtis

War Memorial plaque, Westgate Village Hall

Andrew Curtis

Hare & Hounds, Front Street, Westgate

Andrew Curtis

Children's playground, Westgate

Photo taken from the road approaching Haswick's Bridge on the north side of the River Wear. View of the rear of houses on Front Street.

Andrew Curtis

Westgate Bales Out

A companion photo to Andy Waddington's NY9038 : Westgate Bales up The number of bales has clearly reduced over the winter as they have been used for animal fodder. Les Hull, though, had a bale-free view of St Andrew's Church in July 2006 NY9038 : St. Andrews Church, Westgate

Andrew Curtis

Westgate from Haswick's Bridge

Looking over the playground to the rear of the houses on Front Street and St Andrew's Church in Westgate below Scutter Hill. Another from a similar viewpoint here NY9038 : Westgate

Andrew Curtis

Quarry of 'Weardale Works'

Weardale has seen massive amounts of rock quarried from its sides and no larger working exists in the valley than the old Blue Circle, later Lafarge operation on the south side which supplied limestone by conveyor to the cement works at Eastgate; OS mapping names the area as 'Weardale Works'. Soon after the Lafarge purchase quarrying and cement manufacture ceased and the cement works at Eastgate was erased. Similarly the quarrying operation ended and the quarry area has been landscaped. Once a public footpath cut across the north end of the quarry site; it was closed during the period of extraction but it seems that it might be reopened in the future; the image here was taken from the probable line of the path and shows distantly part of the quarry face beyond nearer workings.

Trevor Littlewood

Estate road crossing Yew Cleugh

An estate/farm road enters the Weardale side valley of Western Hope keeping above the east side of the Westernhope Burn. That road is seen here descending to cross the minor stream of Yew Cleugh; the view is northwards.

Trevor Littlewood

South-west corner of Ludwell Wood

Ludwell Wood lies to the east of the valley of Western Hope; it's seen in this image from an estate road to the south on the same side of Western Hope.

Trevor Littlewood

Curved walls on west side of Westernhope Burn

There are two wall sections across the stream, one completely ruinous. OS mapping at 1:25 000 names these curved walls as sheepfolds but surely they're not; a sheepfold would have a means of sealing an entrance so as to confine animals when required; that would be impossible here. A more likely explanation is that the features are/were sheep shelters so that beasts could keep out of the worst of poor weather.

Trevor Littlewood

Estate road in Western Hope

An estate road enters Western Hope on its eastern side where for some distance it runs at the lower edge of the 'Weardale Works', now disused. The 'Works' was a limestone quarrying operation which cut and crushed the rock then transported it by conveyor down to the floor of the Wear Valley at Eastgate for the manufacture of cement at the Blue Circle plant there. The mounds in the distance are landscaped spoil heaps of the quarry; the road runs below there too.

Trevor Littlewood