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Thornley Pit Wheel

📷 Carol Rose · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsHeritageWildlife
Public accessDogs welcome

Getting here

54.74966, -1.43556

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦53+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Pheasant and Swift
  • ✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking· Free

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Pheasant, Swift, Woodpigeon +50 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Historic site with public access

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Pheasant, Swift, Woodpigeon +50 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Peacock +37 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Hoary Plantain, Japanese Knotweed, Common Centaury +32 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

8 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Cassop-cum-Quarrington circular walkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Cassop Vale circular walkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Way of LoveWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Crowtrees Heritage Walk (Red)Walking route

One of three heritage trails, but Green and Blue trails are very fragmentary on OSM.

Named routeLocal walking route
Trimdon Parish Circular WalkWalking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

56 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Walney to Wear Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 70National Cycle Network
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 5Cycling route
Named routeRef EV12International cycle route
Peterlee to Shotton CollieryCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Peterlee to NCR1Cycling route2.8 km
Named routeLength 2.8 kmLocal cycle route
Peterlee to WingateCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

4 public paths nearby

Public paths
The Hillybridleway · 979 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 979 mSurface groundPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Village green at Thornley

📷 Carol Rose · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Village green at Thornley

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🦉GORE BURNNature reserve1.2 km→🦉WINGATE QUARRYNature reserve2.2 km→✦Medieval settlement and open field system at Old WingateHistoric site2.3 km→✦Old Wingate medieval villageHistoric site2.3 km→✦Cassop Vale CollieryHistoric site3.3 km→🌱Thornley Crossings Picnic AreaUrban park3.4 km→