Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Friarside Plantation

✦ Ancient woodland10 ha
WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Free entryDogs welcome10 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

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

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +78 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +78 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Japanese Knotweed, Ivy, Snowdrop +21 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Azure Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Emerald Damselfly +28 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Azure Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Emerald Damselfly +28 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Garlic Mustard, Hazel, Barren Strawberry

Varies

Heritage

Ancient woodland — historic landscape

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Old Railway FootpathWalking route2.2 km
Named routeLength 2.2 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Boundary WalkWalking route7.5 km
Named routeLength 7.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Valley Views Trail, GibsideWalking route7 km

See Gibside from a new perspective as you explore the estate & take in views across Derwent Valley. Wander through the Walled Garden & woodland to discover the ruined old Hall, to the quiet stretch of the River Derwent.

Named routeLength 7 kmDuration 02:00-04:00Round tripLocal walking route
Red Kite TrailWalking route18 km
Named routeLength 18 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Hedley Hall Wood Blue TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

30 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Bowes Railway PathCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Beamish LoopCycling route11 km
Named routeRef CDN6Length 11 kmRound tripLocal cycle route
Link RouteCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Tanfield Railway PathCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 7Cycling route
Named routeRef 7National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
PowerlineMountain bike route4 km
Named routeLength 4 km
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths
Sandypath Lanebridleway · 573 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 573 mPath type: service

Wildlife to spot

Photos

1 / 15

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

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