Hawthorn Dene and Meadow and Beacon Hill

About the Site

Hawthorn Dene and Meadow and Beacon Hill is an extensive area of semi-natural habitat situated on the Magnesian Limestone escarpment of County Durham. This coastal site is made up of wooded dene with several outstanding areas of Magnesian Limestone grassland.

Ash woodland occurs in the dene which is typical of these shallow soils. Large stands of oak and sycamore and the occasional wych elm and hornbeam can also be seen. Hornbeams are impressive trees with densely arranged leaves that grow at a flattened angle from the twigs.

Yews, one of our few native evergreen trees, grow on the lower valley slopes, and produce eye-catching bright red berries in the autumn. Alder woodland has also developed in the damper areas along the stream and valley bottom.

An attractive display of snowdrops create a fresh, white splash of colour over the woodland floor early in the year. This soon gives way to the carpet of pinks, purples and blues of the bluebells and numerous species of orchid that grow here including early purple, bird’s nest, lesser butterfly and bee orchids.

The early purple orchid is particularly attractive with its spotted leaves and spike of deep pink flowers. Look out for the unusual albino, white flowered variation of this orchid. The bird's nest orchid is considerably less colourful but is equally as interesting because of its unusual appearance. It is pale yellow-brown in colour (including its flowers) and its underground rhizome is surrounded by a tangled mess of fleshy roots that resemble a bird’s nest.

The woodland is home to a host of birds including jays, tree-creepers and several species of tit. Tree-creepers may be seen ‘creeping’ up tree trunks but if the bird is ‘creeping’ downwards it is more likely to be a nuthatch.

Roe deer may also be seen although they are shy creatures so it is rare to catch more than a glimpse. Brown hare, which have become increasingly rare in Britain, may also be seen. They are easily distinguishable from rabbits by their considerably larger ears and powerful hind legs.

Hawthorn Meadow and Beacon Hill are areas of Magnesian Limestone grassland at the coastal end of the dene. This rare and important grassland is renowned for diverse and colourful displays of wildflowers. Plants such as field scabious, greater knapweed, wild carrot, cowslip and bee, fragrant, common spotted and northern marsh orchid can be found growing here.

Take a closer look at the flowers of the bee orchid and see that their shape and colour mimic bees, even the brown body is furry to touch. This is thought to be a decoy to lure bees into visiting what appear to be other bees, as a mechanism for spreading pollen.

Beacon Hill is home to a wide variety of bird life. During the summer months species such as the skylark, twite, linnet, yellowhammer, goldfinch, whitethroat, blackcap, wren, long-tailed tit, grasshopper warbler, reed bunting, green woodpecker, kestrel and sparrowhawk may be seen.

Populations of skylark have declined by up to 70% nationwide since the 1970s due to destruction of their nesting habitat of tussocky grassland, and Beacon Hill is an important site for the conservation of this species.

In the winter, a wide variety of wading birds such as the turnstone, purple sandpiper (which has a winter roosting site in Seaham Harbour), redshank, curlew and oystercatcher may be found on the site. Diving birds including the red-throated diver, common scoter, guillemot and cormorant are also present, as is the great crested grebe.

Beacon Hill also supports visiting wheatear, fieldfare, redwing, waxwing, buzzard, ringed plover, dunlin, knot and lapwing.

Hawthorn Dene and Meadow, and Beacon Hill

Location

Hawthorn Dene and Meadow is located between Easington and Seaham on the Durham Coast. Leave the A19 at Easington or Seaham and join the B1432, turning off into Hawthorn Village. From the north end of the village, follow a minor road eastward, signposted 'Quarry Traffic'.

After ¼ mile, the road ends at two metal gates, with a cottage and farmhouse on the right. Park on the grass verge on the opposite side to the cottage, taking care not to obstruct the gateways. Access is by foot from this point, taking the right-hand path.

Access to Beacon Hill (NZ440455) is along the Coastal Footpath or through the southern end of Hawthorn Dene.

Facilities

Beacon Hill Barn information point has been open from summer 2001.

Enquiries

Hawthorn Dene
Durham Wildlife Trust
Rainton Meadows
Chilton Moor
Houghton-le-Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH4 6PU
Tel: 0191 5843112

Hawthorn Dene and Beacon Hill
National Trust
Scot’s Gap
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 4EG
Tel: 01670 774691