Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Watergate Forest Park

✦ Ancient woodland1 ha

📷 peter maddison · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

54.93469, -1.64798

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

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Parking 266m away — 2 car parks within reach

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck +85 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck +85 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown +58 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown +58 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Bee Orchid, Garlic Mustard, Japanese Knotweed +49 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Bee Orchid, Garlic Mustard, Japanese Knotweed +49 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Garlic Mustard, Common Nettle, Sessile Oak +2 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

14 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
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
Heritage Trails: monumentWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Heritage Trails: WallWalking route
Named routePoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Heritage Trails: cityWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Heritage TrailsWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

158 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 14Cycling route
Named routeRef 14National Cycle Network
Bowes Railway PathCycling route
Named routeRegional cycle route
Cycle Route 3Cycling route
Named routeRef 3Local cycle route
Cycle Route 5Cycling route
Named routeRef 5Local cycle route
Hadrian's CyclewayCycling route
Named routeRef 72National Cycle Network
Angel CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Watergate Forest Park

📷 peter maddison · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Watergate Forest Park

1 / 15

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Saltwell ParkUrban park3 km→🏞️DERWENTHAUGHCountry park4 km→🌱Derwenthaugh Country ParkUrban park4.1 km→🌱Derwent Walk Country ParkUrban park4.6 km→🏞️DERWENT WALKCountry park4.7 km→✦GIBSIDEHistoric site5 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 21772c18-aaca-4e68-8798-8007663bcaa3