Addison and Hedgefield

Addison & Hedgefield nature reserve

Addison and Hedgefield

From the woodland at Addison, to the scrub and grasslands at Hedgefield, this place is a thriving wildlife refuge. The woodland at Addison and the scrub and grassland at Hedgefield support an array of wildflower species and cover for many species of bird.

Location

Addison & Hedgefield Nature Reserve
Blaydon
NE21 4NN
Gateshead
NE21 4NN

OS Map Reference

NZ 167 641
A static map of Addison and Hedgefield

Know before you go

Size
14 hectares
P

Parking information

Access to the site is opposite the old St Hilda’s Church on the B6317 at Hedgefield near Ryton. Limited parking is available on the roadside.

Walking trails

Access

Mixed terrain, not wheelchair friendly but accessible for children and pushchairs, with a circular route of unsurfaced footpaths through the woodland area. A stile provides access to the meadows which have gentle slopes. This part of the reserve is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open all hours

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

The woodland was once a thriving colliery and village where Alexander Graham Bell made the first underground telephone call.

This place is a beautiful example of how nature reclaims land when people move on. From the woodland at Addison, to the scrub and grasslands at Hedgefield, this place is a thriving wildlife refuge.

The wet grassland supports an array of colourful plants such as ragged robin, valerian and marsh marigold whilst drier areas include betony, pignut, tormentil and lady’s mantle. Scattered scrub provides cover for many birds such as whitethroat, yellowhammer and willow warbler.

Non-native planted tree species dominate the Addison Village site such as sycamore and beech with patches of semi natural woodland containing ash, alder and birch. Woodland rides have interesting flora with lady’s mantle, marsh marigold and creeping cinquefoil to name just a few.

DWT took over the management of this site from Gateshead Council in June 2014 and will be continuing the work to develop the area for wildlife.

Contact us

Durham Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 0191 584 3112
Contact email: mail@durhamwt.co.uk