Whitehill Plantation

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Whitehill Plantation

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 &quot;with four rooms each&quot;. Kelly&#039;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. — Newbiggin Hall and Birkside Farm from Bale Hill Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Whitehill Plantation is a sprawling woodland located in Northumberland, England. Spanning over 500 acres, it is often regarded as one of the most picturesque and well-preserved forests in the region. The plantation is nestled amidst rolling hills and is surrounded by a tranquil countryside, offering visitors a serene and immersive experience.

The woodland itself comprises a diverse range of trees, with a notable presence of oak, beech, and ash trees. This rich variety of flora provides a habitat for a multitude of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and an array of bird species. Natural features such as streams and small ponds can also be found within the plantation, adding to its enchanting appeal.

Whitehill Plantation boasts a network of well-maintained walking trails that meander through the forest, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace. These trails cater to all levels of fitness and provide ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and families to enjoy the beauty of the woodland.

The plantation is also home to a diverse range of plant species, including vibrant wildflowers and woodland flora. This diversity adds to the visual charm of the woodland, particularly during the spring and summer months when the forest comes alive with vibrant colors and scents.

Whitehill Plantation offers a peaceful retreat for individuals seeking solace in nature, as well as an educational experience for those interested in the region's biodiversity. Its idyllic setting, well-maintained trails, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Whitehill Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.846494/-2.0900576 or Grid Reference NY9450. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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