Gardenhouse Plantation

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Gardenhouse Plantation

Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill Consett Water Company established in 1859 merged and became the Weardale and Consett Water Company in 1902. Some time late in the 19th or early 20th century one of the two former companies had taken over the engine house of closed Derwent Lead Mines and developed this Grade II Listed pumping house to supply water to Consett. It is reported that they started paying rent to the estate in 1902 and the rent in 1911 was £360. — Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Gardenhouse Plantation, located in Durham, is a picturesque woodland area known for its lush greenery and diverse plant life. Spread over a vast expanse, the plantation encompasses a variety of tree species, creating a serene and tranquil environment. The predominant trees in this woodland are oak, beech, and birch, which contribute to the overall beauty of the area.

The plantation is home to numerous plant species, both native and introduced. The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of ferns, mosses, and wildflowers, adding to the charm of the surroundings. The undergrowth provides a habitat for various animals, including rabbits, squirrels, and a plethora of bird species. Birdwatchers can often be found in the area, captivated by the diverse birdlife that thrives within the woodland.

Gardenhouse Plantation offers visitors the opportunity to explore nature at its finest. There are well-maintained walking trails that meander through the plantation, providing visitors with an immersive experience in the natural beauty of the forest. The trails are ideal for hiking, jogging, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll amidst the calming ambiance of the woodland.

The plantation also serves as an educational resource, with guided tours and informational boards available to provide insights into the various plant and animal species found within the area. These resources help visitors learn about the importance of preserving and protecting the delicate ecosystem that exists within Gardenhouse Plantation.

Overall, Gardenhouse Plantation is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking solace in the embrace of a serene woodland. Its diverse plant and animal life, coupled with well-maintained trails and educational resources, make it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Durham's natural landscape.

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Gardenhouse Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.839782/-2.0759516 or Grid Reference NY9549. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Presser Pumping Station near the top of Bale Hill

Consett Water Company established in 1859 merged and became the Weardale and Consett Water Company in 1902. Some time late in the 19th or early 20th century one of the two former companies had taken over the engine house of closed Derwent Lead Mines and developed this Grade II Listed pumping house to supply water to Consett. It is reported that they started paying rent to the estate in 1902 and the rent in 1911 was £360.

Jo and Steve Turner

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

Field entrance and footpath near the Rope Barn

JThomas

Minor road towards Allenshields

Looking south near the Rope Barn.

JThomas

Grazing near the Rope Barn

JThomas

Timber stacks alongside estate road

The road passes between Beldon High and Beldon Low Plantations on the north side of the valley of the Beldon Burn.

Trevor Littlewood

Road between Baybridge and Newbiggin House and Hall

This is a private road to the homes on this lane, however it carries a footpath up the valley to the fells.

Clive Nicholson

Track by Long Plantation

Clive Nicholson

Track by Long Plantation

Clive Nicholson

Track in grazing field between High and Low Beldon Plantations

Clive Nicholson

Timber stacks either side of track in Low Beldon Plantation

Clive Nicholson

Low Beldon Plantation

Clive Nicholson

Low Beldon Plantation

Clive Nicholson

Sheepfold at Nookton East Park

Clive Nicholson

Footpath between Nookton East Park and Gibraltar Banks

Clive Nicholson

Natural Birch woodland and Low Beldon Pine Plantation beyond

Clive Nicholson

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Gardenhouse Plantation is located at Grid Ref: NY9549 (Lat: 54.839782, Lng: -2.0759516)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///contour.states.greyhound. Near Slaley, Northumberland

Nearby Locations

Old Park Plantation Newbiggin Gardenhouse Plantation Boltsburn Plantation

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