Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest is County Durham’s largest forest, covering over 2,000 hectares. It is centred around the steep valley of the Ayhope and Bedburn becks, and the varied topography has resulted in an extremely rich and diverse collection of habitats.

A large proportion consists of upland conifer plantation, with a varied age structure and a diversity of species. Some mature stands of Scots Pine are over 70 years old. While the area around the Grove is home to some of the oldest trees in the forest planted in the last century by the Surtees family. Along the Bedburn Beck there are areas of mixed and broadleaved , including an area of 25 hectares of oak woodland.

Hamsterley is a working forest, where over 20,000 tonnes of timber are produced each year. Sensitive management has successfully combined timber production with the promotion of wildlife and recreation.

Two areas within the forest are specially protected because of their wildlife interest. Low Redford Meadows has well over 100 species of plant recorded; and Frog Wood, which is classed as a mire habitat is home to a rich variety of species such as bog bean and lesser scullcap. There is also a rich collection of mosses and ferns in the valley bottoms, including species of intermediate and chickweed wintergreen and alpine club moss.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

The forest is home to a vast array of woodland birds such as the green and great-spotted woodpeckers. Some of the more unusual species of birds that may be seen in the Bedburn Valley include nuthatch, treecreeper, dipper, redwing and fieldfare, as well as summer migrants such as wood warbler and pied flycatcher.

The forest is a good location to be able to see often large over wintering population of crossbill. Good cone crops provide provide vital sustenance during the winter months for this unusual visitor as well as for siskins, which can be heard foraging through the canopies in search of the cones. The unusual sound of the nightjar and woodcock can be heard throughout the forest on summer evenings.

Hamsterley Forest

There is a raptor viewpoint at Neighbour Moor at the western end of the forest, with the prospect of seeing birds of prey throughout the year, but particularly in early spring. Visitors with a little patience may well be rewarded by the sight of a goshawk, sparrow-hawk or buzzard.

There are a wide variety of mammals that find a home in the forest including roe deer, badger and grey squirrel.It is noted also for a large reptile population and a superb butterfly fauna, including small skipper and green hairstreak, while colonies of wood ants build their nests from from piles of fallen needles amongst the conifers.

The Forest Visitor Centre has displays of wildlife to be found in the woodland, as well as current management plans, plus there is a shop, tea room and toilet facilities. The centre is open daily from Easter weekend until the end of October, 10.00am until 4.00pm on weekdays and 11.00am until 5.00pm on weekends and bank holidays.

A four mile forest drive runs beside the Bedburn Beck, in addition to which there are numerous trails for walkers and cyclists. There is also a great play area for children next to a river beach.