Heather

About the Site

Waldridge Fell is an extensive area of lowland heath, close to the town of Chester-le-Street.

This habitat is now rare throughout Britain and Waldridge Fell is one of the few remaining examples of its type in the Northeast. It is home to a number of plants and insects that are scarce in the county.

Wide, open spaces and extensive tracts of heather dominate the landscape of Waldridge Fell. This abundant shrub provides an attractive display in the late summer months. Occasional bilberry and crowberry can also be found, with a range of lichens and mosses carpeting the ground beneath.

Waldridge Fell contains areas of wetland and woodland. Wanister bog is the most significant wetland area, and is one of only two valley mires accessible to the public in County Durham. The bog supports a range of plants including common cotton grass, water horsetail, marsh bedstraw and several species of sedges and mosses.

Another familiar species is the bright yellow flowered gorse bush, one of the great signature plants of common land in England. Bracken is also plentiful and its distinctive sharp almond scent is often present in the air.

Bogbean, named from the fleshy, broad bean shape of its leaves is also present, as is the marsh marigold or king cup. This ancient plant has vibrant yellow flower petals and is thought to have survived through the last glaciations.

Woodland has developed at the margins of the site following natural seeding by trees. Wetter soils support alder and willow woodland, with a diverse range of associated woodland herbs carpeting the ground beneath the trees. On the drier areas, trees are more commonly downy birch and oak. This dry woodland supports a number of notable species including narrow buckler fern, smooth-stalked sedge and hemlock water dropwort, a particularly poisonous wild plant common in Britain. The beautiful royal fern has also been recorded here. This species is worthy of its name, having fronds cut into wide, elegant leaflets and growing up to 3 metres tall.

Animals that may be seen on the site include the weasel, vole and common lizard. This lizard lives amongst the heather utilising warm south facing banks to lay its eggs.

A range of heathland birds are also found, as the large undisturbed areas are ideal for hunting and rearing their chicks. The rare nightjar has been recorded in the past as has the cuckoo, a species renowned for its habit of laying its eggs in other bird’s nests.

Insects are also plentiful and many species of common and rare butterfly depend on the site.

Waldridge Fell

Location

5.5km (3.5 miles) west of Chester-le-Street on the Waldridge Road. Approximately 8km (5 miles) by road from Durham City centre. Grid ref: NZ 251498

Facilities

Free parking. Benches and seats. Network of paths, two of the paths are designated 'easy access' routes - suitable for visitors with a physical disability (including wheelchair users). These have some sloped sections. Much of Waldridge Fell has steep slopes, uneven surfaces and narrow paths, making it unsuitable or difficult for wheelchair access.

Enquiries

Durham County Council
Environment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ

Tel: 0191 3833594