Broad Wood

Wood, Forest in Durham

England

Broad Wood

Woodland At Lingberry Quarry Woodland has reclaimed the site of the old quarry workings. A recent area of extraction to the north is evident, though the quarry is shown as disused on OS maps. — Woodland At Lingberry Quarry Credit: David Robinson

Broad Wood is a sprawling forest area located in Durham, England. With its lush greenery and diverse flora and fauna, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. The wood covers an expansive area of approximately 250 acres, making it one of the largest woodland areas in the region.

The forest is characterized by its dense growth of broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and birch. These trees create a rich canopy that provides shade and shelter for numerous species of wildlife. The forest floor is carpeted with a variety of plants, such as bluebells, ferns, and wild garlic, adding to its natural beauty.

Broad Wood is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the forest at their own pace. These paths wind through the trees, revealing picturesque views and glimpses of wildlife along the way. The wood is also home to several species of birds, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, there are camping facilities available within the forest, allowing visitors to spend the night surrounded by nature. The tranquil atmosphere of Broad Wood, coupled with its scenic beauty, offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Overall, Broad Wood is a treasure trove of natural wonders, offering visitors a chance to reconnect with the great outdoors and experience the beauty of Durham's woodlands.

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Broad Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.594278/-1.8794523 or Grid Reference NZ0722. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Woodland At Lingberry Quarry

Woodland has reclaimed the site of the old quarry workings. A recent area of extraction to the north is evident, though the quarry is shown as disused on OS maps.

Track To Friar Cote

Chapel House

Pearson House Farm

Entrance to Gawen House Farm

Anthony Parkes

Farmland on Staindrop Moor

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.

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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.

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Langley Beck near Kinninvie

Looking upstream.

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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.

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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.

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