Sayer's Plantation

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Sayer's Plantation

The valley of Arn Gill For most of its five kilometre course down to Copley, Arn Gill is a tiny misfit stream in a Glacial Outwash Channel incised 20m into the gently sloping moorland south of Langleydale Common. For a short stretch here, it widens out before becoming constricted again, with almost no tributaries, just round the bend. The widening has been utilised to dam a series of ponds, whether deliberately to attract wildfowl (for shooting) is not clear, but ducks seem to be here in some numbers. The track ahead (and directly behind the photographer) is not itself a right of way, and seems to be associated with a number of old mine tips over a kilometre of the valley. It is crossed just upstream by a public footpath, dropping down from Hill House to the north, and climbing again as it heads (rather indistinctly) for Sadler Lane to the south. — The valley of Arn Gill Credit: Andy Waddington

Sayer's Plantation is a picturesque woodland located in Durham, England. Covering a vast area, it is renowned for its lush greenery, diverse flora, and tranquil surroundings. The plantation primarily consists of a dense forest, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The woodland is known for its rich biodiversity, housing a wide range of plant and animal species. Towering oak and beech trees dominate the landscape, creating a majestic canopy that provides shade on sunny days. The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of wildflowers, including bluebells, primroses, and foxgloves, adding a burst of color to the scenery.

Sayer's Plantation is a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. It is home to various avian species, including woodpeckers, owls, and thrushes. The plantation also attracts migratory birds during certain seasons, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Visitors can explore the plantation through a network of well-maintained walking trails. These paths wind through the forest, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. The plantation also features picnic areas, where visitors can relax and soak in the peaceful ambiance.

Maintained by local authorities, Sayer's Plantation offers a range of recreational activities. These include guided nature walks, educational programs, and photography workshops. The woodland is open to the public throughout the year, providing a serene retreat for nature lovers and an escape into the beauty of Durham's natural landscape.

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Sayer's Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.602319/-1.8871838 or Grid Reference NZ0723. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The valley of Arn Gill

For most of its five kilometre course down to Copley, Arn Gill is a tiny misfit stream in a Glacial Outwash Channel incised 20m into the gently sloping moorland south of Langleydale Common. For a short stretch here, it widens out before becoming constricted again, with almost no tributaries, just round the bend. The widening has been utilised to dam a series of ponds, whether deliberately to attract wildfowl (for shooting) is not clear, but ducks seem to be here in some numbers. The track ahead (and directly behind the photographer) is not itself a right of way, and seems to be associated with a number of old mine tips over a kilometre of the valley. It is crossed just upstream by a public footpath, dropping down from Hill House to the north, and climbing again as it heads (rather indistinctly) for Sadler Lane to the south.

Andy Waddington

Inadequately maintained stile

The public footpath is clearly not a popular and well-used one, as it is barely discernible on the ground. Perhaps that is at least in part related to this appalling piece of failure to maintain the right of way. Having a public footpath on your land is a privilege and an honour, not to be abused by such flagrant obstruction. Had I happened to have my fencing tool with me, I would undoubtedly have removed the top strand of barbed wire, and if the dog had not managed to squeeze underneath (it took considerable persuasion) one could be forgiven for taking out the whole piece of fence. People who are so lazy, cheapskate and inconsiderate as to not maintain a stile in good condition deserve to lose their livestock, if only into another field.

Andy Waddington

Chapel House

Anthony Parkes

Pearson House Farm

Anthony Parkes

Entrance to Gawen House Farm

Anthony Parkes

Wall near Langley Beck

Moss is a small green plant, rarely more than a few inches high, which grows anywhere not overshadowed by taller vegetation or perpetually dry. There are more than 600 species in the British Isles, growing on rocks and walls, in woodlands and on tree trunks and branches. They are important pioneers of rock surfaces, holding moisture in their leaves and building up humus in which the seeds of flowering plants can germinate. There are two alternating generations in the life cycle of moss. The plant itself carries male and female organs. After fertilisation, these produce a capsule. Stalk and capsule together form an asexual, spore-bearing generation. The spores produced are capable of germinating into a new plant. Mosses also reproduce vegetatively, by small pieces breaking off and growing into a new plant. As they are rootless and tend to get their nutrients from water running over or through them they are nearly always short.

Maigheach-gheal

Langley Beck near Kinninvie

Looking downstream. Sheep graze in the adjacent field and a tractor appears to drive down the stream to fill the hay rack.

Maigheach-gheal

Langley Beck near Kinninvie

Looking upstream.

Maigheach-gheal

Sheep by Langley Beck

It must be the time of year because as soon as you appear at a gate sheep rush over in the hope of being fed.

Maigheach-gheal

Drystone walls near Copley

Drystone walls are built without mortar, and their stability – they can stand for 200 years – is due to the skill of the craftsmen who place rough boulders and angular stones together. Many drystone walls were constructed as part of the enclosure of open grazing. They were especially useful in areas too exposed for hedgerows to survive and where stones were readily available. Most drystone walls are wider at the base than at the crown, and are often capped with coping stones. A typical wall has two outer layers of large, flattish stones enclosing an inner ‘heart’ of smaller, rounder stones. Often it is reinforced with ‘through bands’ of even larger, flat stones which can also be used as stiles. The very dryness of a wall makes it more likely to endure wind and frost and to act as shelter for livestock as well as a boundary.

Maigheach-gheal

Gawen House

Gawen House Farm seen from Moor Lane.

Peter McDermott

Marwood Lodge

Trackbed of the dismantled Darlington to Kirkby Stephen Railway at Marwood Lodge on the B6279.

Peter McDermott

Hillingdon

Fields on Hillingdon Farm.

Peter McDermott

Sadler Lane

Fields alongside Sadler Lane seen from Moor Lane.

Peter McDermott

Langley Viaduct

Langley Viaduct seen from Billy Lane near Moory Lea. See also NZ0622 : Langley Viaduct.

Peter McDermott

Strickland Park

House at Strickland Park.

Peter McDermott

Burfoot Leazes

The farm at Burfoot Leazes from the south at a forest road on the north side of Arn Gill.

Trevor Littlewood

Estate/farm road with elongated bank of mine spoil

The road runs at the edge of woodland lining the north side of the trough Arn Gill. The elongated mound is probably just mine spoil - there was small scale coal mining in the area. Recently the bank has been cut through in a number of places, including immediately in front of the camera position. That apparently is an attempt by the estate to allow water to drain more readily from the road.

Trevor Littlewood

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Sayer's Plantation is located at Grid Ref: NZ0723 (Lat: 54.602319, Lng: -1.8871838)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham