Horse Bank Wood

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Horse Bank Wood

Forest clearing at the Grove In Hamsterley Forest.
Forest clearing at the Grove Credit: Oliver Dixon

Horse Bank Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Durham, England. Covering an area of approximately 100 acres, it is nestled within the breathtaking landscape of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The wood is situated near the village of Edmundbyers, just a short distance from the popular Derwent Reservoir.

This ancient woodland boasts a rich and diverse ecosystem, with a variety of tree species including oak, ash, birch, and beech. The dense canopy provides a haven for wildlife, attracting numerous bird species such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and warblers. Small mammals like squirrels and voles can also be spotted scurrying through the undergrowth.

Horse Bank Wood offers visitors a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It features well-maintained footpaths that wind through the forest, allowing visitors to explore its hidden nooks and crannies. The wood is particularly stunning during the spring and summer months when the forest floor is carpeted with vibrant wildflowers, creating a riot of colors.

Nature enthusiasts and photographers flock to the wood to capture its natural beauty throughout the year. It is a popular location for hiking, picnicking, and nature walks, as well as being a fantastic spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

Horse Bank Wood is a true gem in Durham's landscape, offering a peaceful and enchanting experience for all who venture into its leafy depths.

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Horse Bank Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.672261/-1.8857655 or Grid Reference NZ0730. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest clearing at the Grove In Hamsterley Forest.
Forest clearing at the Grove
In Hamsterley Forest.
Bridge over the Spurlswood Beck The bridge carries the road which links the Grove to Windy Bank Road.
Bridge over the Spurlswood Beck
The bridge carries the road which links the Grove to Windy Bank Road.
Bridge over Spurlswood Beck The bridge carries the road which links the Grove up to Windy Bank Road.
Bridge over Spurlswood Beck
The bridge carries the road which links the Grove up to Windy Bank Road.
The Grove Large house in the depths of Hamsterley Forest. Until recently operating as a bed and breakfast business.
The Grove
Large house in the depths of Hamsterley Forest. Until recently operating as a bed and breakfast business.
The Grove Until 1927 The Grove was the property of the Surtees family which also owned the surrounding estate until it was sold to the Forestry Commission which then developed Hamsterley Forest over the land. The house is currently (2023) in a number of separate apartments, some or all of which are available as holiday lets.
The Grove
Until 1927 The Grove was the property of the Surtees family which also owned the surrounding estate until it was sold to the Forestry Commission which then developed Hamsterley Forest over the land. The house is currently (2023) in a number of separate apartments, some or all of which are available as holiday lets.
Gardens at The Grove The Grove and the Redford estate about it was the property of the Surtees family; it was sold in 1927 to the Forestry Commission. The house is currently (2023) divided into apartments. This garden is to the north of the house and appears to be more constructively cultivated than it was in  2011 - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2388065" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2388065">Link</a> .
Gardens at The Grove
The Grove and the Redford estate about it was the property of the Surtees family; it was sold in 1927 to the Forestry Commission. The house is currently (2023) divided into apartments. This garden is to the north of the house and appears to be more constructively cultivated than it was in 2011 - Link .
Forest road approaching junction The road is part of a named pedestrian route in Hamsterley Forest, the Spurlswood Walk. The road to be joined is a much more robust affair, built to take heavy forestry traffic.
Forest road approaching junction
The road is part of a named pedestrian route in Hamsterley Forest, the Spurlswood Walk. The road to be joined is a much more robust affair, built to take heavy forestry traffic.
Barrier across forest road The road in Hamsterley Forest runs adjacent to Spurlswood Beck and is used in the named walking route, Spurlswood Walk.
The road used to be motorable by the public on payment of a toll. OS maps on line still name the way as a toll road and even as an 'Ornamental Drive', but motoring over it is now not allowed and the barrier prevents it.
Barrier across forest road
The road in Hamsterley Forest runs adjacent to Spurlswood Beck and is used in the named walking route, Spurlswood Walk. The road used to be motorable by the public on payment of a toll. OS maps on line still name the way as a toll road and even as an 'Ornamental Drive', but motoring over it is now not allowed and the barrier prevents it.
Grove Car Park Hamsterley Forest Not many takers at this central car park in Hamsterley Forest on this blustery spring day, but the very size of the car park indicates that it is very popular at the height of summer.
Grove Car Park Hamsterley Forest
Not many takers at this central car park in Hamsterley Forest on this blustery spring day, but the very size of the car park indicates that it is very popular at the height of summer.
Toll point on the Hamsterley Forest Drive A very popular excursion for motorists in the summer.
Toll point on the Hamsterley Forest Drive
A very popular excursion for motorists in the summer.
Grove House, Hamsterley Forest Grove House and the Redford estate about it was the property of the Surtees family. The estate was sold in 1927 for £15 000 to the Forestry Commission. Grove House now seems to be in separately owned apartments.
Grove House, Hamsterley Forest
Grove House and the Redford estate about it was the property of the Surtees family. The estate was sold in 1927 for £15 000 to the Forestry Commission. Grove House now seems to be in separately owned apartments.
Marginal farmland below Mayland Hall Mayland Hall lies on the northern slope of the shallow valley of the Linburn Beck south of Hamsterley Forest in County Durham. The rush-dominated ground below the farm buildings at the hall tells of poorly drained land.
Marginal farmland below Mayland Hall
Mayland Hall lies on the northern slope of the shallow valley of the Linburn Beck south of Hamsterley Forest in County Durham. The rush-dominated ground below the farm buildings at the hall tells of poorly drained land.
Forest junction Hamsterley forest seems to have outgrown its purpose as merely a place for growing timber and has been actively developed as a mountain biking venue in recent years (ie. the Forestry Commission are trying to make money out of it rather than just tolerating the odd biker as used to be the case twenty years ago). Many of the forest roads sport signs pointing to graded trails which either follow the roads, or wind through the forest between the roads, sometimes taking in steep and technical descents (mostly the signs are unidirectional, encouraging cyclists to climb on the wider tracks and avoiding bi-directional traffic on the narrower sporting trails).
Forest junction
Hamsterley forest seems to have outgrown its purpose as merely a place for growing timber and has been actively developed as a mountain biking venue in recent years (ie. the Forestry Commission are trying to make money out of it rather than just tolerating the odd biker as used to be the case twenty years ago). Many of the forest roads sport signs pointing to graded trails which either follow the roads, or wind through the forest between the roads, sometimes taking in steep and technical descents (mostly the signs are unidirectional, encouraging cyclists to climb on the wider tracks and avoiding bi-directional traffic on the narrower sporting trails).
Ford in Hamsterley Forest This ford on the Euden Beck is found in Hamsterley Forest.
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4389453" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4389453">Link</a>
Ford in Hamsterley Forest
This ford on the Euden Beck is found in Hamsterley Forest. Link
Road bridge close to Grove House A minor road descends into the valley of Spurlswood Beck and crosses that stream by this bridge. The coat of arms of the Surtees family can be seen cut into a stone above the keystone of the bridge arch; the family owned Grove House and the surrounding estate until it was sold to the Forestry Commission which then developed Hamsterley Forest over the land.
Road bridge close to Grove House
A minor road descends into the valley of Spurlswood Beck and crosses that stream by this bridge. The coat of arms of the Surtees family can be seen cut into a stone above the keystone of the bridge arch; the family owned Grove House and the surrounding estate until it was sold to the Forestry Commission which then developed Hamsterley Forest over the land.
Ford in Hamsterley Forest This ford on the Euden Beck is found within Hamsterley Forest. The ford can be found under calmer conditions at:
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3896553" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3896553">Link</a>
Ford in Hamsterley Forest
This ford on the Euden Beck is found within Hamsterley Forest. The ford can be found under calmer conditions at: Link
Bridge over the Spurlswood Beck, Hamsterley Forest This bridge takes the road out of Hamsterley Forest from the Grove, and is unusual in the way that it slopes.  There is a coat of arms on the side of the bridge, but I don't know which family this belongs to.
Bridge over the Spurlswood Beck, Hamsterley Forest
This bridge takes the road out of Hamsterley Forest from the Grove, and is unusual in the way that it slopes. There is a coat of arms on the side of the bridge, but I don't know which family this belongs to.
Coat of Arms : The Grove Bridge : Hamsterley. 'Malo Mori Quam Foedari' I Would Rather Die Than Be Disgraced. Surtees Family Motto
Coat of Arms : The Grove Bridge : Hamsterley.
'Malo Mori Quam Foedari' I Would Rather Die Than Be Disgraced. Surtees Family Motto
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Horse Bank Wood is located at Grid Ref: NZ0730 (Lat: 54.672261, Lng: -1.8857655)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///yelled.latest.slider. Near Hamsterley, Co. Durham

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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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