Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Cow Plantation

✦ Ancient woodland23 ha
BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome23 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦102+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Shoveler and Wigeon
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 458m away — 6 car parks within reach

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Parking

Best for

8 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard +99 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard +99 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Gorse, Himalayan Balsam, Common Nettle +12 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Common Nettle, Ramsons, Bramble +2 more foraging species

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Banded Demoiselle, Hesperocorixa sahlbergi, Common Water-Boatman +3 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Banded Demoiselle, Hesperocorixa sahlbergi, Common Water-Boatman +3 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

8 signed routes nearby · 36 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Weardale WayWalking route124 km
Named routeLength 124 kmRegional walking route
West Bowburn WayWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Finchale Camino Inglés (Durham to Escomb)Walking route
Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route
Riverside TrailWalking route3.5 km
Named routeLength 3.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Sulphur and Salt TrailWalking route2.3 km
Named routeLength 2.3 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Caldermerepublic footpath · 13 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 13 mPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

18 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Walney to Wear Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 70National Cycle Network
Great North CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRef 725National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network Route 715Cycling route

Walney to Wear (via Bishop Auckland)

Named routeRef 715National Cycle Network
National Byway (County Durham and Northumberland)Cycling route

The National Byway route through County Durham and Northumberland

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Great North CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRef 725National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route1.4 km
Named routeRef 70Length 1.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
🐴

Horse riding

6 public paths nearby

Public paths
Partnerships Lanebridleway · 470 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 470 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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