Bank Top Woods

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Bank Top Woods

Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm They seem happy here! — Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm Credit: Russel Wills

Bank Top Woods is a beautiful woodland area located in Northumberland, England. Spanning over a vast area, this forest is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The woods are situated on a gentle slope, hence the name "Bank Top," and offer a serene and peaceful atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.

The woods are predominantly made up of native deciduous trees, including oak, beech, and birch, which create a stunning display of colors during the autumn months. The forest floor is carpeted with a variety of wildflowers, adding to the visual appeal of the area. The diverse vegetation provides a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, squirrels, and deer, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Bank Top Woods is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the area at their leisure. The trails vary in length and difficulty, catering to both casual strollers and more experienced hikers. Along the paths, you'll find informative signposts detailing the flora and fauna found in the woods, enhancing the educational aspect of the visit.

For those seeking a peaceful retreat, Bank Top Woods offers numerous secluded spots, perfect for picnics or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature. The woods also feature a small visitor center, where visitors can learn more about the history and ecology of the area.

Overall, Bank Top Woods in Northumberland is a picturesque woodland retreat that offers a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and anyone seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating escape in the heart of nature.

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Bank Top Woods Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.321451/-2.0610514 or Grid Reference NT9603. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Alpacas grazing at Wood Hall farm

They seem happy here!

Russel Wills

A hembra and a cria (Mum and baby alpaca)

In a paddock near Sharperton on the River Coquet.

Russel Wills

Road sign casualty of Storm Arwen

But the post looks pretty rusty too! Alpacas over the fence.

Russel Wills

Hope the picnic tables are alright

The car park and picnic area at the entrance to Holystone Woods forest trails are unrecognisable. This area contained some massive pines. Storm Arwen flattened it despite its location down in the valley.

Leanmeanmo

Storm Arwen near Holystone

Everywhere one goes in mid and north Northumberland one sees the consequences of Storm Arwen's ferocity in swathes of fallen trees. On November 26th 2021 the storm is estimated to have damaged 16 million trees: the Great Storm of 1987 destroyed 15 million trees.

Leanmeanmo

Storm Arwen damage at the Lady's Well

Fortunately this huge tree fell out of the enclosure rather than into it.

Leanmeanmo

Storm Arwen damage at the Lady's Well

Fortunately this huge tree fell out of the enclosure rather than into it.

Leanmeanmo

Storm Arwen damage near the Lady's Well

Leanmeanmo

Waterfall at Rob Roy's Cave

The cave is immediately to the left of this photo. The Dovecrag Burn boasts a number of small waterfalls though, as here, it rarely carries much water. The deep, narrow gorge is littered with fallen and decayed tree limbs which have become permanently trapped, rendering access difficult.

Leanmeanmo

Cascade on the Dovecrag Burn

The Dovecrag Burn boasts a number of small waterfalls though, as here, it rarely carries much water. The deep, narrow gorge is littered with fallen and decayed tree limbs which have become permanently trapped, rendering access difficult.

Leanmeanmo

Waterfalls on the Dovecrag Burn

Just upstream of Rob Roy's Cave. The Dovecrag Burn boasts a number of small waterfalls though, as here, it rarely carries much water.

Leanmeanmo

Storm Arwen brought down many trees

Some of the trees are being 'recycled' as firewood!

Russel Wills

Salmon House once The Salmon Inn

Sadly like many country pubs and the disease is spreading urban areas with so many watering holes closing.

Les Hull

Ford through Unnamed Burn

I think this might be a drainage ditch rather than a burn.

Les Hull

Lady's Well, Holystone

Lady's Well is a stone water tank of possible Roman date, fed by a natural spring. The well is alongside the Roman road between High Rochester and the River Aln. The stone tank has been completely rebuilt at least once since the Roman period. The well has been a Christian holy site since the medieval period, and may have been the site of early Christian rituals. An alternative name for the well is 'Ninian's Well'. Ninian was the Bishop of Whithorn, in south-west Scotland, from AD500-550. It is possible that Ninian visited Holystone, although we have no evidence for such a visit. There is a legend that Paulinus, an early Christian missionary from Italy, converted 3000 people at the well during Easter AD627. In the medieval period, there was an Augustinian convent at Holystone, which may be where the name 'Lady's Well' comes from. In addition to the tank, a 15th century statue, said to be of Paulinus, was brought to the site from Alnwick in 1780. The statue was moved from the centre of the tank in the 19th century and replaced with a wheel cross. Local tradition says an altar-shaped stone near the well is the 'holy' stone, which gives the local village its name. The Lady's Well is a Scheduled Monument and Grade I Listed Building protected by law. Link