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Castle Eden Dene is the largest area of semi-natural woodland in north-east England, renowned for yew trees. The tangled landscape is a survivor of the wildwood that once covered most of Britain. English Nature helps it stay as near natural as possible.
Highlights: Just walking in some ancient woodland is enough for most, but there is a wide variety of birdlife here, including woodpecksers and tree creepers, and you may glimpse Roe deer if lucky. Walking in the Dene: There are two marked walks around the reserve. Walk 1 is 3.5 km, and takes between 2 - 2½ hours. Walk 2 is 3 km, and takes between 1 - 2 hours to complete.
You are welcome to walk in the Dene, but this is not recommended in bad weather as most surfaces are natural soil and can become slippery. Please keep to the paths, as straying from them can cause inadvertent damage, and is therefore not permitted. Please note that gradients may be very steep, and long. There are very few steps on the paths and many of these are quite shallow. You should also be aware that important and rare trees are not cleared, and therefore a few paths may be partially blocked.
Location: Castle Eden Dene is signposted from the A19 and from Peterlee town centre. There is a car park at Oakerside Dene Lodge.
Grid reference: NZ428392
For further details, click here.
Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
Enter a world where magical yew, oak, ash and dying elm create a home for other plants and creatures. 10,000 years of wild growth in a deep gorge has created a place you can explore again and again.Castle Eden Dene is the largest area of semi-natural woodland in north-east England, renowned for yew trees. The tangled landscape is a survivor of the wildwood that once covered most of Britain. English Nature helps it stay as near natural as possible.
Highlights: Just walking in some ancient woodland is enough for most, but there is a wide variety of birdlife here, including woodpecksers and tree creepers, and you may glimpse Roe deer if lucky. Walking in the Dene: There are two marked walks around the reserve. Walk 1 is 3.5 km, and takes between 2 - 2½ hours. Walk 2 is 3 km, and takes between 1 - 2 hours to complete.
You are welcome to walk in the Dene, but this is not recommended in bad weather as most surfaces are natural soil and can become slippery. Please keep to the paths, as straying from them can cause inadvertent damage, and is therefore not permitted. Please note that gradients may be very steep, and long. There are very few steps on the paths and many of these are quite shallow. You should also be aware that important and rare trees are not cleared, and therefore a few paths may be partially blocked.
Location: Castle Eden Dene is signposted from the A19 and from Peterlee town centre. There is a car park at Oakerside Dene Lodge.
Grid reference: NZ428392
For further details, click here.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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