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roman altar

WildlifeBirdsFungi

Dogs welcome

Getting here

54.71166, -2.01123

Open directionsv

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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
🍄Mushroom 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

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom 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

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Curlew +71 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Curlew +71 more · last seen 2025

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Opegrapha niveoatra, Physcia tenella, Thistle Rust +74 more · last seen 2025; Fungi — Opegrapha niveoatra, Physcia tenella, Thistle Rust +74 more · last seen 2025

Varies

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Heather, Heath Bedstraw, Bracken +23 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Heather, Heath Bedstraw, Bracken +23 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Common Hawker, Common Darter, Black Darter +4 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Hawker, Common Darter, Black Darter +4 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby · 4 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths

Weardale WayWalking route124 km

Named routeLength 124 kmRegional walking route

Mineral Valleys Walk: Frosterley (Walk 3)Walking route7.5 km

Named routeLength 7.5 kmRound tripLocal walking route

Ashes Quarry GeotrailWalking route3 km

Named routeLength 3 kmRound tripLocal walking route

Stanhope Burn GeotrailWalking route5.6 km

Named routeLength 5.6 kmRound tripLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route C2CCycling route

C2C Stanhope on-road braid

Named routeRef C2CRegional cycle route

National Byway (County Durham and Northumberland)Cycling route

The National Byway route through County Durham and Northumberland

Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Hamsterley Common CircuitMountain bike route38 km

Named routeRef CDW13Length 38 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

7,490 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

7,490 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds74 species

spring

2025

Lapwing · Oystercatcher · Curlew · Meadow Pipit · Red Grouse (scotica) +69

LapwingVanellus vanellus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
CurlewNumenius arquata
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Red Grouse (scotica)Lagopus scotica
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Greylag GooseAnser anser
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
DipperCinclus cinclus
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
BlackbirdTurdus merula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Sand MartinRiparia riparia
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatus
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
JackdawColoeus monedula
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Stock DoveColumba oenas
BuzzardButeo buteo
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
DunnockPrunella modularis
RobinErithacus rubecula
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
RedshankTringa totanus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
SnipeGallinago gallinago
SwallowHirundo rustica
Common GullLarus canus
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
CuckooCuculus canorus
WoodcockScolopax rusticola
WigeonMareca penelope
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
LinnetLinaria cannabina
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
SiskinSpinus spinus
Great TitParus major
GoosanderMergus merganser
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2024
Barn OwlTyto alba2024
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
SwiftApus apus
MagpiePica pica
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
NuthatchSitta europaea
House SparrowPasser domesticus
RookCorvus frugilegus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca2024
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2024
Little OwlAthene noctua2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
MerlinFalco columbarius2024

🦌

Mammals1 species

spring

2024

Rabbit

RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus

🦎

Reptiles3 species

summerautumn

2025

Adder · Slow-worm · Common Lizard

AdderVipera berus
Slow-wormAnguis fragilis
Common LizardZootoca vivipara

🐝

Insects6 species

summerautumn

2025

Common Hawker · Common Darter · Black Darter · Yellow Meadow Ant · Emerald Damselfly +1

Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2024
Black DarterSympetrum danae2024
Yellow Meadow AntLasius flavus2024
Emerald DamselflyLestes sponsa2023
Common Green GrasshopperOmocestus viridulus2023

🍄

Fungi78 species

spring

2025

Opegrapha niveoatra · Lecanora polytropa · Pyrenopeziza petiolaris · Lepraria incana s. lat. · Candelariella vitellina +73

Opegrapha niveoatraOpegrapha niveoatra
Lecanora polytropaLecanora polytropa
Pyrenopeziza petiolarisPyrenopeziza petiolaris
Lepraria incana s. lat.Lepraria incana s. lat.
Candelariella vitellinaCandelariella vitellina
Physconia enteroxanthaPhysconia enteroxantha
Leptosphaeria doliolumLeptosphaeria doliolum
Ramalina farinaceaRamalina farinacea
Nettle RashLeptosphaeria acuta
Alder BracketMensularia radiata
Ground Elder RustPuccinia aegopodii
Lecania cyrtellaLecania cyrtella
Common Orange LichenXanthoria parietina
Physcia adscendensPhyscia adscendens
Beechmast CandlesnuffXylaria carpophila
Nettle PoxCalloria tremelloides
Micarea lignariaMicarea lignaria
Parmelina tiliaceaParmelina tiliacea
Alyxoria culmigenaAlyxoria culmigena
Firerug InkcapCoprinellus domesticus
Rosy CrustPeniophora incarnata
Pandora neoaphidisPandora neoaphidis
Verrucaria nigrescens f. nigrescensVerrucaria nigrescens f. nigrescens
Phaeophyscia orbicularisPhaeophyscia orbicularis
Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.
Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae
Milesina dietelianaMilesina dieteliana
Melanelixia subauriferaMelanelixia subaurifera
Phyllachora graminisPhyllachora graminis
Beech WoodwartHypoxylon fragiforme
Protoblastenia rupestrisProtoblastenia rupestris
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Blackfoot PolyporePolyporus leptocephalus
Puccinia chaerophylliPuccinia chaerophylli
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon
Pertusaria pertusaPertusaria pertusa
Oak MossEvernia prunastri
King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica
Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.
Snowy DiscoLachnum virgineum
Rhizocarpon reductumRhizocarpon reductum
Phlyctis argenaPhlyctis argena
Pholiotina aporosPholiotina aporos
Lecidella elaeochromaLecidella elaeochroma
Willow BracketPhellinus igniarius
Melanelixia glabratulaMelanelixia glabratula
Birch BesomTaphrina betulina
Campion Anther SmutMicrobotryum lychnidis-dioicae
Lepra albescens var. albescensLepra albescens var. albescens
Ramularia septataRamularia septata
Spermosporina aricolaSpermosporina aricola
Tephromela atraTephromela atra
Lecidella elaeochroma f. soraliferaLecidella elaeochroma f. soralifera
Lepraria finkiiLepraria finkii
Lecidella scabraLecidella scabra
Sclerophomella complanataSclerophomella complanata
Hazel WoodwartHypoxylon fuscum
Athallia cerinelloidesAthallia cerinelloides
Arthonia radiataArthonia radiata
Sycamore TarspotRhytisma acerinum
Netted Shield LichenParmelia sulcata
Golovinomyces cynoglossi s. lat.Golovinomyces cynoglossi s. lat.
Rose RustPhragmidium mucronatum
Physcia caesiaPhyscia caesia
Boeremia hedericolaBoeremia hedericola
Ashen CrustPeniophora lycii
Porpidia macrocarpaPorpidia macrocarpa
Lecanora expallensLecanora expallens
Lecanora campestrisLecanora campestris
Taphrina crataegiTaphrina crataegi
Steccherinum ochraceumSteccherinum ochraceum
Phragmidium fragariaePhragmidium fragariae
Thistle RustPuccinia punctiformis
Alder TongueTaphrina alni
Physcia tenellaPhyscia tenella
Candelariella xanthostigmaCandelariella xanthostigma
Birch WoodwartJackrogersella multiformis
Crab's Eye LichenOchrolechia parella

🌿

Plants53 species

autumn

2025

Bracken · Heather · Marsh Thistle · Heath Bedstraw · Common Nettle +48

BrackenPteridium aquilinum2024
HeatherCalluna vulgaris
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre2024
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2024
Common NettleUrtica dioica2024
TormentilPotentilla erecta2024
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Bog PondweedPotamogeton polygonifolius2024
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2024
Hard Rush / Soft Rush / Compact RushJuncus inflexus/effusus/conglomeratus2024
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2024
EyebrightEuphrasia2023
GorseUlex europaeus2023
Wild ThymeThymus drucei2023
New Zealand PigmyweedCrassula helmsii2023
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2023
Crested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatus2024
Pirri-pirri-burAcaena novae-zelandiae2024
CrosswortCruciata laevipes2024
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus2024
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella2024
Carline ThistleCarlina vulgaris2024
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
Barren StrawberryPotentilla sterilis2024
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2024
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2024
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix2023
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2023
Wild StrawberryFragaria vesca2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2023
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2023
European LarchLarix decidua2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris2023
Mat-grassNardus stricta2023
Purple Moor-grassMolinia caerulea2023
Glaucous SedgeCarex flacca2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2023
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2023
DandelionTaraxacum2023
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis2023
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2023
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria2023
ElderSambucus nigra2023
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2023
Rubus dasyphyllusRubus dasyphyllus2023
Common Spike-rushEleocharis palustris2023
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile2023
False-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticum2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

7,490 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds74 species

spring

2025

Lapwing · Oystercatcher · Curlew · Meadow Pipit · Red Grouse (scotica) +69

LapwingVanellus vanellus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
CurlewNumenius arquata
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Red Grouse (scotica)Lagopus scotica
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Greylag GooseAnser anser
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
DipperCinclus cinclus
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
BlackbirdTurdus merula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
Sand MartinRiparia riparia
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatus
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
JackdawColoeus monedula
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Stock DoveColumba oenas
BuzzardButeo buteo
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix
DunnockPrunella modularis
RobinErithacus rubecula
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea
RedshankTringa totanus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
SnipeGallinago gallinago
SwallowHirundo rustica
Common GullLarus canus
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
CuckooCuculus canorus
WoodcockScolopax rusticola
WigeonMareca penelope
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
LinnetLinaria cannabina
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
SiskinSpinus spinus
Great TitParus major
GoosanderMergus merganser
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2024
Barn OwlTyto alba2024
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
SwiftApus apus
MagpiePica pica
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
NuthatchSitta europaea
House SparrowPasser domesticus
RookCorvus frugilegus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca2024
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2024
Little OwlAthene noctua2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
MerlinFalco columbarius2024

🦌

Mammals1 species

spring

2024

Rabbit

RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus

🦎

Reptiles3 species

summerautumn

2025

Adder · Slow-worm · Common Lizard

AdderVipera berus
Slow-wormAnguis fragilis
Common LizardZootoca vivipara

🐝

Insects6 species

summerautumn

2025

Common Hawker · Common Darter · Black Darter · Yellow Meadow Ant · Emerald Damselfly +1

Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2024
Black DarterSympetrum danae2024
Yellow Meadow AntLasius flavus2024
Emerald DamselflyLestes sponsa2023
Common Green GrasshopperOmocestus viridulus2023

🍄

Fungi78 species

spring

2025

Opegrapha niveoatra · Lecanora polytropa · Pyrenopeziza petiolaris · Lepraria incana s. lat. · Candelariella vitellina +73

Opegrapha niveoatraOpegrapha niveoatra
Lecanora polytropaLecanora polytropa
Pyrenopeziza petiolarisPyrenopeziza petiolaris
Lepraria incana s. lat.Lepraria incana s. lat.
Candelariella vitellinaCandelariella vitellina
Physconia enteroxanthaPhysconia enteroxantha
Leptosphaeria doliolumLeptosphaeria doliolum
Ramalina farinaceaRamalina farinacea
Nettle RashLeptosphaeria acuta
Alder BracketMensularia radiata
Ground Elder RustPuccinia aegopodii
Lecania cyrtellaLecania cyrtella
Common Orange LichenXanthoria parietina
Physcia adscendensPhyscia adscendens
Beechmast CandlesnuffXylaria carpophila
Nettle PoxCalloria tremelloides
Micarea lignariaMicarea lignaria
Parmelina tiliaceaParmelina tiliacea
Alyxoria culmigenaAlyxoria culmigena
Firerug InkcapCoprinellus domesticus
Rosy CrustPeniophora incarnata
Pandora neoaphidisPandora neoaphidis
Verrucaria nigrescens f. nigrescensVerrucaria nigrescens f. nigrescens
Phaeophyscia orbicularisPhaeophyscia orbicularis
Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.Parmelia saxatilis s. lat.
Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae
Milesina dietelianaMilesina dieteliana
Melanelixia subauriferaMelanelixia subaurifera
Phyllachora graminisPhyllachora graminis
Beech WoodwartHypoxylon fragiforme
Protoblastenia rupestrisProtoblastenia rupestris
Razor Strop FungusFomitopsis betulina
Blackfoot PolyporePolyporus leptocephalus
Puccinia chaerophylliPuccinia chaerophylli
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon
Pertusaria pertusaPertusaria pertusa
Oak MossEvernia prunastri
King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica
Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.Lecanora chlarotera s. lat.
Snowy DiscoLachnum virgineum
Rhizocarpon reductumRhizocarpon reductum
Phlyctis argenaPhlyctis argena
Pholiotina aporosPholiotina aporos
Lecidella elaeochromaLecidella elaeochroma
Willow BracketPhellinus igniarius
Melanelixia glabratulaMelanelixia glabratula
Birch BesomTaphrina betulina
Campion Anther SmutMicrobotryum lychnidis-dioicae
Lepra albescens var. albescensLepra albescens var. albescens
Ramularia septataRamularia septata
Spermosporina aricolaSpermosporina aricola
Tephromela atraTephromela atra
Lecidella elaeochroma f. soraliferaLecidella elaeochroma f. soralifera
Lepraria finkiiLepraria finkii
Lecidella scabraLecidella scabra
Sclerophomella complanataSclerophomella complanata
Hazel WoodwartHypoxylon fuscum
Athallia cerinelloidesAthallia cerinelloides
Arthonia radiataArthonia radiata
Sycamore TarspotRhytisma acerinum
Netted Shield LichenParmelia sulcata
Golovinomyces cynoglossi s. lat.Golovinomyces cynoglossi s. lat.
Rose RustPhragmidium mucronatum
Physcia caesiaPhyscia caesia
Boeremia hedericolaBoeremia hedericola
Ashen CrustPeniophora lycii
Porpidia macrocarpaPorpidia macrocarpa
Lecanora expallensLecanora expallens
Lecanora campestrisLecanora campestris
Taphrina crataegiTaphrina crataegi
Steccherinum ochraceumSteccherinum ochraceum
Phragmidium fragariaePhragmidium fragariae
Thistle RustPuccinia punctiformis
Alder TongueTaphrina alni
Physcia tenellaPhyscia tenella
Candelariella xanthostigmaCandelariella xanthostigma
Birch WoodwartJackrogersella multiformis
Crab's Eye LichenOchrolechia parella

🌿

Plants53 species

autumn

2025

Bracken · Heather · Marsh Thistle · Heath Bedstraw · Common Nettle +48

BrackenPteridium aquilinum2024
HeatherCalluna vulgaris
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre2024
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2024
Common NettleUrtica dioica2024
TormentilPotentilla erecta2024
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Bog PondweedPotamogeton polygonifolius2024
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2024
Hard Rush / Soft Rush / Compact RushJuncus inflexus/effusus/conglomeratus2024
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2024
EyebrightEuphrasia2023
GorseUlex europaeus2023
Wild ThymeThymus drucei2023
New Zealand PigmyweedCrassula helmsii2023
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2023
Crested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatus2024
Pirri-pirri-burAcaena novae-zelandiae2024
CrosswortCruciata laevipes2024
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus2024
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella2024
Carline ThistleCarlina vulgaris2024
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
Barren StrawberryPotentilla sterilis2024
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna2024
PrimrosePrimula vulgaris2024
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix2023
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2023
Wild StrawberryFragaria vesca2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2023
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2023
European LarchLarix decidua2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris2023
Mat-grassNardus stricta2023
Purple Moor-grassMolinia caerulea2023
Glaucous SedgeCarex flacca2023
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2023
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2023
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2023
DandelionTaraxacum2023
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis2023
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2023
Wall-rueAsplenium ruta-muraria2023
ElderSambucus nigra2023
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2023
Rubus dasyphyllusRubus dasyphyllus2023
Common Spike-rushEleocharis palustris2023
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile2023
False-bromeBrachypodium sylvaticum2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Wikipedia · Altar · CC BY-SA 3.0

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🌽Bondisle AllotmentsAllotments3.7 km→🌱The GreenUrban park3.9 km→⛪St Thomas's ChurchReligious grounds4.1 km→✦Stanhope BridgeHistoric site4 km→✦Market cross, 35m and 50m south of St Thomas' ChurchHistoric site4 km→🌽Old Hall AllotmentsAllotments4.2 km→

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