Redford

Settlement in Durham

England

Redford

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

Redford is a small village located in the county of Durham, in the northeast of England. Situated approximately 10 miles west of the city of Durham, Redford is nestled in a rural setting surrounded by picturesque countryside and rolling hills. The village falls within the administrative area of the Durham County Council.

With a population of around 500 residents, Redford maintains a close-knit community atmosphere. The village boasts a charming mix of traditional stone-built cottages and more modern houses, creating a diverse architectural landscape. The village center is characterized by a small number of local amenities, including a primary school, a post office, and a convenience store, catering to the everyday needs of its inhabitants.

Redford benefits from its proximity to the larger town of Bishop Auckland, which is just a short drive away. Here, residents can access a wider range of services and facilities, such as supermarkets, healthcare facilities, and additional educational institutions.

The surrounding countryside offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, making Redford an attractive location for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle. The village is well-connected by road, with easy access to the A689, providing convenient transportation links to nearby towns and cities.

Overall, Redford offers a tranquil and idyllic living environment, combining the beauty of the Durham countryside with the convenience of nearby amenities.

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Redford Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.672515/-1.8879201 or Grid Reference NZ0730. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Forest clearing at the Grove

In Hamsterley Forest.

Oliver Dixon

Bridge over the Spurlswood Beck

The bridge carries the road which links the Grove to Windy Bank Road.

Oliver Dixon

Bridge over Spurlswood Beck

The bridge carries the road which links the Grove up to Windy Bank Road.

Oliver Dixon

The Grove

Large house in the depths of Hamsterley Forest. Until recently operating as a bed and breakfast business.

Oliver Dixon

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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 .

Trevor Littlewood

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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.

Oliver Dixon

Toll point on the Hamsterley Forest Drive

A very popular excursion for motorists in the summer.

Oliver Dixon

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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).

Andy Waddington

Ford in Hamsterley Forest

This ford on the Euden Beck is found in Hamsterley Forest. Link

John Walton

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.

Trevor Littlewood

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

John Walton

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.

Uncredited