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Hamsterly Common

Downs, Moorland in Durham

England

Hamsterly Common

Mountain bikers' bridleway, Hamsterley Forest As a public bridleway, the right of way considerably predates Hamsterley Forest's encouragement of mountain biking, and was probably used both in ascent and descent. Walkers (and dogs) still use it in ascent, but I think mountain bikers probably only descend - it would be fit cyclist to take this on uphill, even with a softy E-bike ! Fortunately, on a fairly dreich Monday almost at winter solstice, we didn't meet any bikes hurtling down. You wouldn't catch me cycling down this with my ancient rigid-frame mountain bike, but the next generation have cheating technology like suspension to make it not only survivable, but apparently fun and they tend to go quite fast (I always fear being run into from behind when I'm enjoying a nice long slow descent of one of the easier tracks).
Mountain bikers' bridleway, Hamsterley Forest Credit: Andy Waddington

Hamsterly Common is a picturesque area located in Durham, England. Covering approximately 2,000 acres, this vast expanse of land is characterized by its diverse landscape, consisting of downs, moorland, and woodland. Situated within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hamsterly Common offers visitors a tranquil and unspoiled environment to explore.

The downs in Hamsterly Common are expansive grassy areas that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. These open spaces are perfect for leisurely walks, picnics, or even flying kites. The moorland, on the other hand, is characterized by its heather-covered hills and rocky outcrops. It provides a unique habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including curlews, lapwings, and bilberries.

The woodland areas in Hamsterly Common are a haven for nature enthusiasts. Ancient oak trees dominate the landscape, creating a rich and diverse ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walks along the well-maintained paths, observing the flora and fauna that call this area home. The woodlands are also home to a variety of bird species, such as woodpeckers and owls, making it a popular spot for birdwatching.

In addition to its natural beauty, Hamsterly Common offers recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The extensive network of walking trails and bridleways provides ample opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horse riding. There is also a visitor center that offers information about the area, as well as facilities for refreshments and parking.

Overall, Hamsterly Common is a stunning natural landscape, offering a diverse range of habitats and recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. It is a true gem in the Durham countryside, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Hamsterly Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.675542/-1.935845 or Grid Reference NZ0431. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mountain bikers' bridleway, Hamsterley Forest As a public bridleway, the right of way considerably predates Hamsterley Forest's encouragement of mountain biking, and was probably used both in ascent and descent. Walkers (and dogs) still use it in ascent, but I think mountain bikers probably only descend - it would be fit cyclist to take this on uphill, even with a softy E-bike ! Fortunately, on a fairly dreich Monday almost at winter solstice, we didn't meet any bikes hurtling down. You wouldn't catch me cycling down this with my ancient rigid-frame mountain bike, but the next generation have cheating technology like suspension to make it not only survivable, but apparently fun and they tend to go quite fast (I always fear being run into from behind when I'm enjoying a nice long slow descent of one of the easier tracks).
Mountain bikers' bridleway, Hamsterley Forest
As a public bridleway, the right of way considerably predates Hamsterley Forest's encouragement of mountain biking, and was probably used both in ascent and descent. Walkers (and dogs) still use it in ascent, but I think mountain bikers probably only descend - it would be fit cyclist to take this on uphill, even with a softy E-bike ! Fortunately, on a fairly dreich Monday almost at winter solstice, we didn't meet any bikes hurtling down. You wouldn't catch me cycling down this with my ancient rigid-frame mountain bike, but the next generation have cheating technology like suspension to make it not only survivable, but apparently fun and they tend to go quite fast (I always fear being run into from behind when I'm enjoying a nice long slow descent of one of the easier tracks).
Bridleway descending into valley of Euden Beck From the image the path could be thought to be level but it's certainly descending. The stretch of bridleway here is in good condition but lower down it crosses a forest road; below that road on the way down to the stream, it's noticeably eroded due to (legitimate) use by mountain bikers.
Bridleway descending into valley of Euden Beck
From the image the path could be thought to be level but it's certainly descending. The stretch of bridleway here is in good condition but lower down it crosses a forest road; below that road on the way down to the stream, it's noticeably eroded due to (legitimate) use by mountain bikers.
Forest road descending in valley of Euden Beck The road is heading east on the northern side of the valley at an altitude of around 270 metres.
Forest road descending in valley of Euden Beck
The road is heading east on the northern side of the valley at an altitude of around 270 metres.
Forest road heading towards Nest Plantation The road is heading east, close to the northern edge of Hamsterley Forest.
Forest road heading towards Nest Plantation
The road is heading east, close to the northern edge of Hamsterley Forest.
The Euden Beck valley The Euden Beck runs the length of the upper part of Hamsterley Forest. Birch and other broadleaf trees occupy the valley floor, larches on the hillside beyond.
The Euden Beck valley
The Euden Beck runs the length of the upper part of Hamsterley Forest. Birch and other broadleaf trees occupy the valley floor, larches on the hillside beyond.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest In the valley of the Euden Beck. The hillside is planted with a mixture of evergreen conifers and deciduous larches.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest
In the valley of the Euden Beck. The hillside is planted with a mixture of evergreen conifers and deciduous larches.
Forest road in Hamsterley Forest In the valley of the Euden Beck.
Forest road in Hamsterley Forest
In the valley of the Euden Beck.
Bridleway in Hamsterley Forest Often, the existence of public rights of way through forestry plantations has been ignored and they've become overgrown and unusable; not so with this bridleway which here descends towards the valley of the Euden Beck from the vicinity of Black Hill on the northern edge of Hamsterley Forest.
Bridleway in Hamsterley Forest
Often, the existence of public rights of way through forestry plantations has been ignored and they've become overgrown and unusable; not so with this bridleway which here descends towards the valley of the Euden Beck from the vicinity of Black Hill on the northern edge of Hamsterley Forest.
Junction of bridleway and forest road in Hamsterley Forest The bridleway/road junction is in the valley of the Euden Beck with the view being westwards.
Junction of bridleway and forest road in Hamsterley Forest
The bridleway/road junction is in the valley of the Euden Beck with the view being westwards.
Valley of Euden Beck Hamsterley Forest covers a large area of land drained by two main streams, the Euden and Spurlswood Becks; this is the valley of the Euden Beck which drains the northern half of the forest. The view is down-valley from beside a forestry road.
Valley of Euden Beck
Hamsterley Forest covers a large area of land drained by two main streams, the Euden and Spurlswood Becks; this is the valley of the Euden Beck which drains the northern half of the forest. The view is down-valley from beside a forestry road.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest This road is in the valley of the Euden Beck; the view is eastwards.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest
This road is in the valley of the Euden Beck; the view is eastwards.
A fast descent in Hamsterley Forest Hamsterley forest is regularly filled with competent and enthusiastic mountain bikers using the graded trails (from blue to black, many of the higher grades looking both difficult and muddy), so your photographer (in riding jodpurs and canoeing helmet complete with two GoPro cameras and with dog in attendance) didn't quite look the part. However, having been riding here years before the sport became popular, we soon found our way off the marked trails (or maybe we just missed one of the rather inconspicuous signs) and away from the crowds. Once we'd visited the highest point in the forest (much whingeing from the youngest member of the team), we were riding back towards civilisation, using this track, well covered in a layer of slippery larch needles, which are great for dog paws (no sharp rocks) but not so reassuring for out-of-practice riders. Heading East North East, a short ascent (maybe 25m height gain) had brought us to this point where a brief stop allowed everyone to regroup before heading off down what proved to be the fastest descent of the day, for a kilometre or so - the gentle gradient being enough to get speed up, but not so steep as to enforce caution. Then we on mountain bikes had to wait again for some time - the dog has no wheels and can't manage 30 mph !
A fast descent in Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley forest is regularly filled with competent and enthusiastic mountain bikers using the graded trails (from blue to black, many of the higher grades looking both difficult and muddy), so your photographer (in riding jodpurs and canoeing helmet complete with two GoPro cameras and with dog in attendance) didn't quite look the part. However, having been riding here years before the sport became popular, we soon found our way off the marked trails (or maybe we just missed one of the rather inconspicuous signs) and away from the crowds. Once we'd visited the highest point in the forest (much whingeing from the youngest member of the team), we were riding back towards civilisation, using this track, well covered in a layer of slippery larch needles, which are great for dog paws (no sharp rocks) but not so reassuring for out-of-practice riders. Heading East North East, a short ascent (maybe 25m height gain) had brought us to this point where a brief stop allowed everyone to regroup before heading off down what proved to be the fastest descent of the day, for a kilometre or so - the gentle gradient being enough to get speed up, but not so steep as to enforce caution. Then we on mountain bikes had to wait again for some time - the dog has no wheels and can't manage 30 mph !
Quarry in Hamsterley Forest The quarry is on the north side of a forestry road on the southern slope of Black Hill. It appears to be active, or to have been active, recently.
Quarry in Hamsterley Forest
The quarry is on the north side of a forestry road on the southern slope of Black Hill. It appears to be active, or to have been active, recently.
Euden Beck In Hamsterley Forest.
Euden Beck
In Hamsterley Forest.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest In the valley of the Euden Beck. A plantation of hemlock trees.
Forestry road in Hamsterley Forest
In the valley of the Euden Beck. A plantation of hemlock trees.
Valley of North Grain Beck The North Grain Beck heads south to meet the South Grain Beck which is a stream on the far side of the grassed fields. Their confluence is known as The Meeting of the Grains and the resulting stream is Ayhope Beck.
Valley of North Grain Beck
The North Grain Beck heads south to meet the South Grain Beck which is a stream on the far side of the grassed fields. Their confluence is known as The Meeting of the Grains and the resulting stream is Ayhope Beck.
Cleared forest and forestry road This is the north-western part of Hamsterley Forest. The view is over cleared then replanted plantation to the minor rise of Black Hill, itself having a new crop of trees growing following clear felling some time ago.
Cleared forest and forestry road
This is the north-western part of Hamsterley Forest. The view is over cleared then replanted plantation to the minor rise of Black Hill, itself having a new crop of trees growing following clear felling some time ago.
Moss and rushes on heather moor This remote piece of moorland lies north of Hamsterley Forest with the Wear valley over a watershed to the left side of the image. The obvious groove beyond the rushes is the valley of South Grain Beck.
Moss and rushes on heather moor
This remote piece of moorland lies north of Hamsterley Forest with the Wear valley over a watershed to the left side of the image. The obvious groove beyond the rushes is the valley of South Grain Beck.
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Hamsterly Common is located at Grid Ref: NZ0431 (Lat: 54.675542, Lng: -1.935845)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///briskly.cliff.unhappily. Near Wolsingham, Co. Durham

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Hamsterly Common

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