Hesleden Dene

One of Durham characteristic coastal denes, this nature reserve includes a small woodland with an abundance of hazel stands.

Location

Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve

Hesleden

TS27 4PJ

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Know before you go

Size

9 hectares

Entry fee

Free

Public transport

Public Transport is available from Durham and Sunderland to Hutton Henry via Peterlee. The reserve is a short walk down Station Road.

Parking information

Parking is available in a small layby opposite Station House or on the unsurfaced area next door.

Grazing animals

Walking trails

Access

Access and parking
From the A19 take the B1281 signposted Castle Eden and Blackhall Colliery. Carry on through Castle Eden and turn right on to Gary Road (sign posted High Hesleden ). Continue into Hesleden on Gary Road, (which become Front Street) and turn right on to Station Road. Head to the end of the road (postcode TS27 4PJ) and park in a small layby opposite Station House or on the unsurfaced area next door. The entrance to the reserve is on the far side of the unsurfaced area.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

March to July

About the reserve

Hesleden Dene’s name derives from ‘hesle’, a corruption of ‘hazel’ which can be found in abundance alongside ash and wych elm.

The reserve has exceptional natural exposures of magnesian limestone eroded to produce impressive outcrops with many caves and fissures.

Damp, humid conditions provide niches for impressive displays of mosses, lichens and fungi. Magnesian limestone grassland supports plants such as devils-bit scabious, common spotted orchid and twayblade. Woodland wildlife thrives with regular sightings of roe deer, fox, woodpeckers and tawny owl.

Hesleden Dene is best visited in spring for the woodland flora and autumn for the fungi and turning leaves.