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Watergate Forest Park

2 ha

📷 peter maddison · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

54.93558, -1.65289

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — dragonfly and damselfly activity peaks along water edges
  • 🐕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

Best for

5 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Magpie +80 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Magpie +80 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Hemlock Water-dropwort, Bush Vetch, Herb-Robert +30 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Hemlock Water-dropwort, Bush Vetch, Herb-Robert +30 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Common Red Soldier Beetle, Harlequin Ladybird, Syrphus +12 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Common Red Soldier Beetle, Harlequin Ladybird, Syrphus +12 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Sessile Oak, Hogweed, Garlic Mustard

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

161 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
🐴

Horse riding

1 public path nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Watergate Forest Park (Lake)

📷 peter maddison · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Watergate Forest Park (Lake)

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Saltwell ParkUrban park3.2 km→🏞️DERWENTHAUGHCountry park3.7 km→🌱Derwenthaugh Country ParkUrban park3.8 km→🌱Derwent Walk Country ParkUrban park4.3 km→🏞️DERWENT WALKCountry park4.4 km→✦GIBSIDEHistoric site4.7 km→

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