Bats Plantation

Wood, Forest in Northumberland

England

Bats Plantation

Lane Head
Lane Head Credit: Les Hull

Bats Plantation is a sprawling woodland located in the county of Northumberland, England. Spanning an area of approximately 500 acres, it is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna. The plantation is nestled in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, offering visitors a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The woodland is primarily composed of native tree species, including oak, beech, and birch, which create a lush canopy overhead. These trees provide a suitable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The plantation is home to a diverse array of bird species, such as woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds, which can be spotted throughout the year.

Visitors can explore the plantation through a network of well-maintained walking trails, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. The trails wind their way through the woodland, offering glimpses of picturesque ponds and babbling brooks along the way. Nature lovers can also indulge in activities such as picnicking, wildlife photography, and even camping in designated areas.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bats Plantation also holds historical significance. It is believed that the woodland has been in existence for several centuries, and remnants of old structures, such as stone walls and ancient pathways, can still be found within its boundaries.

Overall, Bats Plantation is a haven for those seeking solace in nature. With its stunning landscape, abundant wildlife, and rich history, it offers a truly memorable experience for all who visit.

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Bats Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.898584/-2.0205362 or Grid Reference NY9855. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lane Head
Lane Head
Track Junction, High Kellas Plantation A lonesome pine standing tall in a much younger block of forestry.
Track Junction, High Kellas Plantation
A lonesome pine standing tall in a much younger block of forestry.
Ditch End, Low Kellas Plantation A competitor in an orienteering event is approaching a control sited at the ditch end.
Ditch End, Low Kellas Plantation
A competitor in an orienteering event is approaching a control sited at the ditch end.
Wall at Hairy Side
Wall at Hairy Side
Hairy Side View across Hairy Side above Derwent Reservoir.
Hairy Side
View across Hairy Side above Derwent Reservoir.
Old Stove Old Stove, including stove pipe and fuel, near Hairy Side.
Old Stove
Old Stove, including stove pipe and fuel, near Hairy Side.
Lane Head
Lane Head
Footpath into Kellas Plantation east of Kellas Bridge
Footpath into Kellas Plantation east of Kellas Bridge
Donald's Grave below Hairy Side
Donald's Grave below Hairy Side
Coal Road leading to Slaley Golf Course
Coal Road leading to Slaley Golf Course
Donald's Grave near Esper Shields Donald's Grave is apparently the name of this boundary stone on the south side of the minor road that runs from Kiln Pit Hill on the A68 to Blanchland, 10m east of the Coal Road (track) that leads north-west through the grounds of Slaley Hall.

The stone is Grade II Listed (List Entry Number: 1045376) and is described as:
"Probable boundary marker, C18th or perhaps a reworking of a more ancient stone. Gritstone. Roughly-cut monolith of trapezoidal plan, exposed height 0.9 metres. East face with incised B; north face with remains of incised design, possibly a cross within a circle; west face incised A (laid sideways) and S."

See closer photo here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4246157">NZ0054 : Donald's Grave near Esper Shields (detail)</a>

Local researchers think the stone may be an allotment marker from the Bulbeck Common Award (1771) which was divided between George Silvertop of Minsteracres (S) and George Baker (B), the Lord of the Manor. It has also been suggested that Donald's Grave may have originally been mapped on the north side of the road but the nature of the feature represented by the name is not specified.

There are two further named stones just to the north, possibly on the same boundary: Greyhound Stone (which I couldn't find) and Hare Stone, an C18th boundary stone.

All 3 stones are named on the 1st Edition 6" OS Map Northumberland, 104 (1864):
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://maps.nls.uk/view/102346503#zoom=5&lat=3290&lon=2260&layers=BT" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://maps.nls.uk/view/102346503#zoom=5&lat=3290&lon=2260&layers=BT">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Only Donald's Grave is represented on current large scale mapping.

The Hare Stone is also Listed Grade II (List Entry Number: 1370318) said to be marked B (Blanchland) on south-west, and S (Slaley) on north-east side <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4247180">NY9955 : The Hare Stone near Slaley Hall</a>


The hill in the field beyond the wall is named Hairy Side.
Donald's Grave near Esper Shields
Donald's Grave is apparently the name of this boundary stone on the south side of the minor road that runs from Kiln Pit Hill on the A68 to Blanchland, 10m east of the Coal Road (track) that leads north-west through the grounds of Slaley Hall. The stone is Grade II Listed (List Entry Number: 1045376) and is described as: "Probable boundary marker, C18th or perhaps a reworking of a more ancient stone. Gritstone. Roughly-cut monolith of trapezoidal plan, exposed height 0.9 metres. East face with incised B; north face with remains of incised design, possibly a cross within a circle; west face incised A (laid sideways) and S." See closer photo here NZ0054 : Donald's Grave near Esper Shields (detail) Local researchers think the stone may be an allotment marker from the Bulbeck Common Award (1771) which was divided between George Silvertop of Minsteracres (S) and George Baker (B), the Lord of the Manor. It has also been suggested that Donald's Grave may have originally been mapped on the north side of the road but the nature of the feature represented by the name is not specified. There are two further named stones just to the north, possibly on the same boundary: Greyhound Stone (which I couldn't find) and Hare Stone, an C18th boundary stone. All 3 stones are named on the 1st Edition 6" OS Map Northumberland, 104 (1864): LinkExternal link Only Donald's Grave is represented on current large scale mapping. The Hare Stone is also Listed Grade II (List Entry Number: 1370318) said to be marked B (Blanchland) on south-west, and S (Slaley) on north-east side NY9955 : The Hare Stone near Slaley Hall The hill in the field beyond the wall is named Hairy Side.
Donald's Grave near Esper Shields (detail) See description here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4246082">NZ0054 : Donald's Grave near Esper Shields</a>
Donald's Grave near Esper Shields (detail)
Forest track branches off byway, Slaley Forest The route to the right is supposedly a byway, though the line of that right of way some way ahead seems to have been wholly effaced by the forest leaving only rather longer routes on the forest tracks (with signage making clear that these are not for vehicles). The route to the left is one of these tracks, and the one we have just taken to reach this point (in the absence of any trace of the byway we'd intended to use starting about two kilometres away).
Forest track branches off byway, Slaley Forest
The route to the right is supposedly a byway, though the line of that right of way some way ahead seems to have been wholly effaced by the forest leaving only rather longer routes on the forest tracks (with signage making clear that these are not for vehicles). The route to the left is one of these tracks, and the one we have just taken to reach this point (in the absence of any trace of the byway we'd intended to use starting about two kilometres away).
Derwent Reservoir viewed from Westcowburn Head
Derwent Reservoir viewed from Westcowburn Head
Slaley Hall Hotel and Golf Course View of the hotel across the golf course.
Slaley Hall Hotel and Golf Course
View of the hotel across the golf course.
Pry, south of Slaley
Pry, south of Slaley
Low Kellas Plantation
Low Kellas Plantation
Coal Road Looking north along the dirt road to Slaley Hall. I've no idea what the tanks are for, probably water storage for the hall.
Coal Road
Looking north along the dirt road to Slaley Hall. I've no idea what the tanks are for, probably water storage for the hall.
Show me another place!

Bats Plantation is located at Grid Ref: NY9855 (Lat: 54.898584, Lng: -2.0205362)

Unitary Authority: Northumberland

Police Authority: Northumbria

What 3 Words

///swims.anyway.screamed. Near Slaley, Northumberland

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.898584,-2.0205362
Bench
Backrest: yes
Colour: brown
Material: wood
Seats: 4
Lat/Long: 54.8950106/-2.0158148
Bench
Backrest: no
Colour: brown
Material: wood
Seats: 4
Lat/Long: 54.898993/-2.0171702
Noexit: yes
Lat/Long: 54.8997392/-2.022643
Noexit: yes
Lat/Long: 54.8997298/-2.0231474
Noexit: yes
Lat/Long: 54.8981252/-2.0241988
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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