Knotts Plantation

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Knotts Plantation

Wall and grassy track climbing out of valley The wall climbs to the north from the valley of the Blackton Beck.
The run of knolls on the skyline are known as Knotts. — Wall and grassy track climbing out of valley Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Knotts Plantation, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a historic site renowned for its lush woodlands and captivating forest. Spanning over a vast area, this plantation is a haven for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The plantation showcases a diverse range of trees, including oak, pine, and maple, creating a picturesque landscape that changes with the seasons. The forest's vibrant foliage during autumn is particularly breathtaking, attracting visitors from far and wide.

The plantation's history dates back to the 18th century when it was established as a working plantation. Over the years, it became renowned for its tobacco and cotton production, contributing significantly to the region's economy during that time. Today, remnants of the plantation's past can still be found, such as preserved slave quarters and other historic structures, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history.

Knotts Plantation offers various recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. The woodland trails provide an excellent opportunity for hiking, biking, and bird-watching. The plantation also features picnic areas and open spaces, making it an ideal location for family outings and gatherings. Educational programs and guided tours are available for those interested in learning more about the plantation's history and the significance of its forest ecosystem.

Overall, Knotts Plantation in Durham is a captivating destination that seamlessly combines history and nature. Its enchanting forest, coupled with its intriguing past, makes it a must-visit location for anyone seeking a tranquil escape or a deeper understanding of the region's agricultural and cultural heritage.

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Knotts Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.629241/-2.0142181 or Grid Reference NY9926. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Wall and grassy track climbing out of valley

The wall climbs to the north from the valley of the Blackton Beck. The run of knolls on the skyline are known as Knotts.

Trevor Littlewood

Nemour Hall

Nemour Hall appears in this image as a fairly modest house with a barn attached at the rear; it is in fact revealed to be a quite large building once the front comes into view.

Trevor Littlewood

Bleak moorland above Blackton Head

David Brown

Frozen track on Nemour Hill

David Brown

Track to Grey Carrs

Taken from just beyond the end of the public road, at the point where a rather esoteric public footpath turns south west to end at a random point of no destination. The more useful public right of way is the bridleway which starts up this track up Nemour Hill, and breaks out onto the open fell to cross the southern slopes of Grey Carrs. Although, as a bridleway, one has every right to pursue this route on a bike, it is not particularly enjoyable, being deeply rutted, boggy or deep in heather in various stages of the crossing.

Andy Waddington

Middle Nemour and Stobgreen Plantation

Ken Crosby

Sheep Pens above Eggleston

Sheep in pens close to Blackton Beck on the moor above Eggleston.

Gordon Hatton

The way to Hamsterley

Bridleway across the moors leading to Hamsterley. This section is well surfaced, probably for the benefit of grouse shooting parties.

Gordon Hatton

Blackton Beck

View looking up Blackton Beck towards Blackton Head on Eggleston Common.

Peter McDermott

Eggleston Common

Part of the grouse moor on Eggleston Common above Blackton Head near Slate Ledge.

Peter McDermott

Small Reservoir Above Blackton Burn

This small reservoir presumably had its origins in the lead mining industry of this part of Teesdale.

Trevor Littlewood

Fence with Boulders on Heather Moorland

A fence passes a few grey boulders as it rises over the flowering heather of part of Eggleston Common NW. of Blackton Head, Teesdale.

Trevor Littlewood

Clubmosses add a splash of colour to Eggleston Common

Whilst the heather is brown and looks dead through the winter, and sphagnum moss in pools is variously yellowish-green to red, the cushions of clubmosses remain bright green, extracting every last photon from the winter light. This patch would have been covered in snow until a day or two ago, but a warm westerly airflow has brought thaw, rain and a very gusty wind, but these primitive low-growing plants cope with it all. In the distance, the heather moor continues beyond Blackton Head, with the shoulder of Grey Carrs to the right ( NZ0125 : Grey Carrs trig. point ).

Andy Waddington

Blackton Head track

The track drops down from Blackton Head on Eggleston Common, keeping to the right bank of Blackton Beck. To the northeast, as a bridleway, it continues to Hamsterley Forest, but as a made-up track for vehicles, it turns off the public right of way for a short distance to NZ0126 : Shooting Huts Above Spurlswood Gill. Like a lot of the northern Pennines, this area is littered with evidence of old mining activity. Just to the right of the photographer's position here is the remains of an old reservoir, whose earth bank has been breached. A small stream about forty metres down the track drains from this.

Andy Waddington

Nemour Hall

The unusually named Nemour Hall is seen beyond the tree, right of centre; it lies above fields overlooking the village of Eggleston.

Trevor Littlewood

Moorland Path with Marker Post on Grey Carrs

Looking westward.

Peter Wood

Upper valley of Spurlswood Beck

In a landscape of fairly level moorland, the valley of Spurlswood Beck is a modestly deep trench. This is the upper part of the valley with the spur of Slate Ledge on its far side, beyond it is the valley of the Quarter Burn, unseen here, of course. There's actually little to be seen of the stream!

Trevor Littlewood