Low Beldon Plantation

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Low Beldon Plantation

Plantation on a tumulus above the valley of Beldon Burn (12) Credit: Mike Quinn

Low Beldon Plantation is a captivating woodland area located in Northumberland, England. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape of the region, this plantation covers a vast expanse of land, offering visitors a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

The plantation is renowned for its rich and diverse woodland, consisting primarily of deciduous trees such as oak, birch, and beech. These trees create a dense canopy, filtering sunlight and creating a cool and shaded environment. The forest floor is covered in a lush carpet of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers, adding to the enchanting beauty of the area.

Low Beldon Plantation is home to a variety of wildlife, providing a haven for numerous species. Visitors may encounter a range of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds, as they explore the woodland trails. The plantation also supports a thriving population of mammals, with sightings of deer, foxes, and rabbits being quite common.

The plantation offers several well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. These trails meander through the woodland, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The peacefulness and tranquility of the plantation make it an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers alike.

Low Beldon Plantation is open to the public year-round, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether one is seeking a peaceful walk in nature, a chance to observe wildlife, or simply a moment of solitude, this enchanting woodland offers a truly unforgettable experience.

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Low Beldon Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.838712/-2.1015152 or Grid Reference NY9349. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Plantation on a tumulus above the valley of Beldon Burn (12)

Mike Quinn

Moorland below Hill 402 (2)

Mike Quinn

Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill

The Reverend Daniel Capper sold up Newbiggin and Hunstanworth estate by auction in London on 1st August 1865. The sales brochure describes the mansion house of Newbiggin as the jewel in the estate crown. Rev Capper had recently spent £30,000 on new farm buildings, the latest water power machinery and rebuilding the estate cottages "with four rooms each". Kelly's Directory 1894 tells us it is owned by Edward Joicey esq. J.P. Pevsner documents that the house was rebuilt in Neo-classical style in 1906 after a fire of 1904 from a Latin inscription on the west wall. Reports indicate it has been a First World War sanatorium, a turkey farm and hotel and was more recently owned by a member of the Arabian royal family who stays a couple of times a year for the grouse shooting.

Jo and Steve Turner

View to East High House Farm from Bale Hill

Jo and Steve Turner

Hunstanworth from Bale Hill

Hunstanworth is one of the 'Thankful Villages' (a term popularised by the writer Arthur Mee in the 1930s) that suffered no fatalities during the Great War of 1914-1918. The unusual patterns in the roof tiles was a creation of architect Samuel Sanders Teulon who had been commissioned by Reverend Daniel Capper, landowner who would stay in Newbiggin Hall during the grouse shooting season, to build a new church, school, reading room, shop and workers' terraced cottages in 1863. The distinctive diamond-patterned, steep-pitched roofs and Victorian Gothic detail make Hunstanworth unique among the villages of the North Pennines. Closure of the local lead mines in the 1880s diminished the 800 strong population (778 in 1861) to just 200 by 1901. The population of the village in 2011 was 116. John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1870-72 informs us that "the church was rebuilt in 1865, at a cost of £2,500".

Jo and Steve Turner