Fairhill Recreation Ground
3 ha
Plan your visit
🦅Birds🦉Wildlife🍄Fungi
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome3 ha
Getting here
54.81033, -2.43443
Open directionsv
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🐦69+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Blue Tit
- 🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
- 🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
🌤️ Visiting this summer
- 🐦69+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Blue Tit
- 🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
- 🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
🅿️Parking· Free🛝Playground
🦅Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch +66 more · last seen 2025
Free
Birds — Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch +66 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍄Mushroom foraging
Strong match
Fungi — Oak Moss, Verrucaria nigrescens, Lepraria incana s. lat. +36 more · last seen 2016
Varies
🦋Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Polycentropus flavomaculatus, Rhyacophila dorsalis, Drusus annulatus +80 more · last seen 2025
Free
🛝Family friendly
Strong match
playground; Urban park — family destination
Free
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km3 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Pennine Way (Middleton in Teesdale to Kirk Yetholm)Walking route▾
Named routeNational walking route
Isaac's Tea TrailWalking route58 km▾
Named routeLength 58 kmRound tripRegional walking route
South Tyne TrailWalking route37 km▾
Named routeLength 37 kmRegional walking route
10 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Pennine CyclewayCycling route▾
Named routeRef 68National Cycle Network
Route 7Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 7National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route3.5 km▾
Named routeRef 68Length 3.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route3.7 km▾
Named routeRef 7Length 3.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route1.7 km▾
Named routeRef 7Length 1.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route4.4 km▾
Named routeRef 7Length 4.4 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
2 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
South Tyne TrailMountain bike route37 km▾
Named routeLength 37 kmRegional cycle route
Great North Trail (North Pennines and Kielder Forest)Mountain bike route123.9 km▾
Named routeLength 123.9 kmNational Cycle Network
1 public path nearby
Public paths
Gossipgatebridleway · 490 m▾
Public pathbridlewayLength 490 mSurface compactedPath type: unclassified
Photos
Site of Fairhill Old Dam, Alston
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysNearby places
Useful places within 5 km
Events & activities nearby
Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
Wildlife to spot
2,877 records · National Biodiversity Network
Wildlife to spot
2,877 records · National Biodiversity NetworkBlackbird · Jackdaw · Lapwing · Swallow · Chaffinch +44
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- SwiftApus apus
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Great TitParus major
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- CurlewNumenius arquata
- DipperCinclus cinclus2024
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Sand MartinRiparia riparia
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2024
- CuckooCuculus canorus2024
- CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2024
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris2024
- StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
- RavenCorvus corax2024
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
- Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris2023
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2023
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
- Barn OwlTyto alba2022
🦌Mammals8 species
springautumn
2024▾
Hedgehog · Roe Deer · Common Pipistrelle · Water Shrew · Mole +3
- HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
- Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
- Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2022
- Water ShrewNeomys fodiens
- MoleTalpa europaea
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2023
🐸Amphibians1 species
spring
2024▾
Common Frog
- Common FrogRana temporaria
🐝Insects24 species
springsummer
2025▾
Eristalis pertinax · Platycheirus albimanus · Syrphus · Sallow Pea-galler · Eristalis arbustorum +19
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
- Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2022
- SyrphusSyrphus
- Sallow Pea-gallerEuura pedunculi2024
- Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2024
- Eristalis horticola
🌿Plants13 species
springsummer
2024▾
Yellow Corydalis · Betony · Narrow-leaved Ragwort · Brittle Bladder-fern · Lady's-mantle +8
- Yellow CorydalisPseudofumaria lutea
- BetonyBetonica officinalis
- Narrow-leaved RagwortSenecio inaequidens
- Brittle Bladder-fernCystopteris fragilis
- Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris2023
- Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot
2,877 records · National Biodiversity NetworkBlackbird · Jackdaw · Lapwing · Swallow · Chaffinch +44
- BlackbirdTurdus merula
- JackdawColoeus monedula
- LapwingVanellus vanellus
- SwallowHirundo rustica
- ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
- WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
- SwiftApus apus
- GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
- PheasantPhasianus colchicus
- RobinErithacus rubecula
- Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
- Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
- Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
- Coal TitPeriparus ater
- Great TitParus major
- KestrelFalco tinnunculus
- OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
- MallardAnas platyrhynchos
- WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
- Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
- CurlewNumenius arquata
- DipperCinclus cinclus2024
- RookCorvus frugilegus
- Sand MartinRiparia riparia
- Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
- Carrion CrowCorvus corone
- BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
- Grey HeronArdea cinerea
- Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
- RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus
- SiskinSpinus spinus
- YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
- DunnockPrunella modularis
- Canada GooseBranta canadensis
- Stock DoveColumba oenas
- Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2024
- CuckooCuculus canorus2024
- CrossbillLoxia curvirostra2024
- FieldfareTurdus pilaris2024
- StonechatSaxicola rubicola2024
- RavenCorvus corax2024
- Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
- Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
- GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
- StarlingSturnus vulgaris2023
- Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2023
- House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
- TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2023
- Barn OwlTyto alba2022
🦌Mammals8 species
springautumn
2024▾
Hedgehog · Roe Deer · Common Pipistrelle · Water Shrew · Mole +3
- HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
- Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
- Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2022
- Water ShrewNeomys fodiens
- MoleTalpa europaea
- Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2023
🐸Amphibians1 species
spring
2024▾
Common Frog
- Common FrogRana temporaria
🐝Insects24 species
springsummer
2025▾
Eristalis pertinax · Platycheirus albimanus · Syrphus · Sallow Pea-galler · Eristalis arbustorum +19
- Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
- Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2022
- SyrphusSyrphus
- Sallow Pea-gallerEuura pedunculi2024
- Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2024
- Eristalis horticola
🌿Plants13 species
springsummer
2024▾
Yellow Corydalis · Betony · Narrow-leaved Ragwort · Brittle Bladder-fern · Lady's-mantle +8
- Yellow CorydalisPseudofumaria lutea
- BetonyBetonica officinalis
- Narrow-leaved RagwortSenecio inaequidens
- Brittle Bladder-fernCystopteris fragilis
- Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris2023
- Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris
Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Eristalis horticola2024
Eristalis horticola2024
Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2024Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2024Early BumblebeeBombus pratorum2024Early BumblebeeBombus pratorum2024Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2024Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2024Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2024Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2024Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2024Bombus lucorumBombus lucorum2024Bombus lucorumBombus lucorum2024Rhingia campestrisRhingia campestris2024Rhingia campestrisRhingia campestris20247-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata20247-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2024Bronze ShieldbugTroilus luridus2024Bronze ShieldbugTroilus luridus2024Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2023Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2023Black-bellied ClusterflyPollenia amentaria2023Black-bellied ClusterflyPollenia amentaria2023Sericomyia silentisSericomyia silentis2023Sericomyia silentisSericomyia silentis2023Leucozona glauciaLeucozona glaucia2023Leucozona glauciaLeucozona glaucia2023Sericomyia superbiensSericomyia superbiens2023Sericomyia superbiensSericomyia superbiens2023Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata2023Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata2023Rhithrogena semicolorataRhithrogena semicolorata2022Rhithrogena semicolorataRhithrogena semicolorata2022PerlidaePerlidae2022PerlidaePerlidae2022Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major2022Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major20222023
2023
Goldilocks ButtercupRanunculus auricomus2023Goldilocks ButtercupRanunculus auricomus2023Sweet CicelyMyrrhis odorata2023Sweet CicelyMyrrhis odorata2023Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2023Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis2023SanicleSanicula europaea2023SanicleSanicula europaea2023Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2023Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2023Garden ArabisArabis caucasica2023Garden ArabisArabis caucasica2023MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2022MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2022