Knotts Allotment

Downs, Moorland in Durham

England

Knotts Allotment

Grouse shooting infrastructure above Spurlswood Gill The track has clearly been here long enough for vegetation to be growing through the base, and to be depicted on the OS map, but the shooting hut still seems to be labelled &quot;sheepfold&quot;, though it, too, does not seem particularly new. The track is made from natural stone as far as the hut, and has been dug out down to bedrock on a steep slope to cross Spurlswood Gill. Only as it climbs back onto the peat is it made with this artificial material, representing a huge amount of both plastic and steel pollution in the environment. The track heads east behind the photographer to serve a line of well-built stone grouse butts almost as far as the edge of the gridsquare. — Grouse shooting infrastructure above Spurlswood Gill Credit: Andy Waddington

Knotts Allotment, located in Durham, England, is a picturesque area known for its beautiful downs and moorland. Covering an area of approximately [insert size], it offers a diverse landscape that attracts nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

The allotment is characterized by rolling downs, which are gently sloping grassy areas that provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. These downs are a habitat for various plant species, including wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs, creating a colorful and vibrant environment during the spring and summer months.

In addition to the downs, Knotts Allotment also features vast stretches of moorland. Moorland is a type of upland habitat characterized by open expanses of heather, grasses, and peat bogs. This unique landscape offers a haven for wildlife, including birds such as grouse and curlews, as well as small mammals like rabbits and hares.

The area is crisscrossed with well-maintained footpaths and trails, making it an ideal destination for hikers and walkers. These paths provide access to the different areas of the allotment and allow visitors to explore the diverse habitats it offers. There are also designated picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the stunning views.

Knotts Allotment is managed by the local authorities, who strive to preserve its natural beauty and protect its wildlife. As a result, visitors are kindly reminded to adhere to any guidelines or restrictions in place to maintain the integrity of the allotment.

Overall, Knotts Allotment is a treasure trove of natural beauty, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings of downs and moorland while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna that call this area home.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Knotts Allotment Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.630131/-2.0084407 or Grid Reference NY9926. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grouse shooting infrastructure above Spurlswood Gill

The track has clearly been here long enough for vegetation to be growing through the base, and to be depicted on the OS map, but the shooting hut still seems to be labelled "sheepfold", though it, too, does not seem particularly new. The track is made from natural stone as far as the hut, and has been dug out down to bedrock on a steep slope to cross Spurlswood Gill. Only as it climbs back onto the peat is it made with this artificial material, representing a huge amount of both plastic and steel pollution in the environment. The track heads east behind the photographer to serve a line of well-built stone grouse butts almost as far as the edge of the gridsquare.

Andy Waddington

Tractor on moorland of Grey Carrs

The tractor is part of a heather burning operation on the heather moorland, part of the management scheme for grouse shooting. Tractors are used to mow 'lanes' around areas of heather to be burned, those lanes then act as firebreaks to contain the blaze. The tractor very likely has doubled wheels at the rear to spread its load on delicate ground.

Trevor Littlewood

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

Grouse butt No. 8 on Eggleston Common

A flat expanse of heather moorland on Ever Rigg with small pools, thinly frozen. No. 8 is part of a line of butts to the east of a nearby shooting hut.

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

Track on Grey Carrs

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

Slate Ledge

The name Slate Ledge appears on OS maps as if naming the moorland just beyond the shooting huts; there's nothing deserving the description of a ledge in the area and slate is not present in the local rocks, so the origin of the name must lie elsewhere. The groove in the foreground is that of Spurlswood Gill. The moorlands of Eggleston Common lie in the distance.

Trevor Littlewood

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

Rocks and shooting hut above Spurlswood Beck

The rock outcrops with attendant angular boulders are above the valley known as Spurlswood Gill which is drained by Spurlswood Beck. The stream is out of view in the image but at this location it's little more than a boggy tract.

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