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West Wood

✦ Ancient woodland24 ha

📷 Christine Johnstone · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome24 ha

Getting here

54.91514, -1.72510

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦87+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blue Tit and Carrion Crow
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🛝Playground 234m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

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

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +84 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +84 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

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

Free

Seasonal nature

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

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Playgrounds

playground

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Azure Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Emerald Damselfly +26 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Azure Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Emerald Damselfly +26 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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

35 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

Mown fields west of West Wood

📷 Christine Johnstone · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Mown fields west of West Wood

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦GIBSIDEHistoric site800 m→🌱Derwent Park (Rowlands Gill)Urban park1 km→🏞️DERWENT WALKCountry park2.4 km→🌱Derwent Walk Country ParkUrban park2.5 km→🌱Derwenthaugh Country ParkUrban park3 km→🏞️DERWENTHAUGHCountry park3.2 km→

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