Pictures of Castle Eden Dene NNR

a Nature Reserve in the town of Castle Eden, in the county of County Durham

Castle Eden Dene NNR Picture Tour Hotels near Castle Eden Dene NNR Submit a history of Castle Eden Dene NNR Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Castle Eden Dene NNR Reviews Submit pictures Castle Eden Dene NNR Map Add to favourites

About Castle Eden Dene NNR

Hidden in an area which was once noted for its coal-faces, the lush wooded ravine of Castle Eden Dene offers a welcome respite from the built-up towns that dominate the coast between Sunderland and Hartlepool. The valley, crammed with amazing wild-life, runs south of Peterlee to the once coal polluted town of Hornden, it is deep sided treacherous terrain which is difficult to access and perhaps this is the reason why the land has remained mostly undisturbed for centuries.

Castle Eden Dene is now a nature reserve where there are ancient woodlands dating back to medieval times, where there are hundreds of species of rare plants. In the spring, scented wild flowers make carpets for softly treading feet, when the bright yellows of early spring fade, the ground becomes scattered with pretty Bluebells wearing pointed bright green leaves. It is perfectly peaceful and amongst the sweet scented flowers are wild lily of the valley and bird's nest orchids. The aromatic cousin of garlic can be found, just follow the pungent smell and you will find clusters of wild ransoms alongside groupings of herbs.

A deeply spiritual place, a hint of mystery pervades with not a lot to disturb the peace, save for the rustle of squirrel's in the undergrowth and the sweet sound of birdsong above. Several colonies of birds inhabit the reserve, these include; nuthatch, marsh tits, green woodpeckers and yellowhammers, to name but a few. In this fragrant place there is a vast variety of insects and moths, the mammal population includes roe deer, badger and a wily old fox or two!

Colourful at every season of the year, the ravine is particularly interesting in early autumn when fluttering leaves make a soft velvet carpet of orange, gold and red.

Castle Eden Dene Nature Reserve is owned and cared for by English Nature. There are plenty of footpaths but stout shoes should be worn as the paths can be slippery at certain times of the year. The reserve is signposted from Peterlee and from all main roads. It is a joyous place to visit and makes a lovely day out for all the family.

Other local Attractions include: Historic Quay at Hartlepools, Durham Cathedral, Redcar Museum and Middlesbrough Cathedral.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Castle Eden Dene NNR.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Castle Eden Dene NNR and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Castle Eden Dene NNR

Castle Eden Walkway Country Park	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction S)	Pictures
Billingham Beck Valley Country Park	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Durham Cathedral	(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Durham Castle	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Herrington Country Park	(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Mowbray Park	(11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Lumley Castle	(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Hylton Castle	(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Waldrige Fell Country Park	(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Auckland Castle	(14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures

All attractions in County Durham
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Castle Eden Dene NNR

Kelloe, in the county of County Durham (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction W)
Kelloe has pleasant riverside areas and is in close proximity to historic Hartlepool Quay and the seaside resort town of Peterlee on England's northern coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hartlepool, in the county of County Durham (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction SE)
This is an ancient seaport and county borough which merged with its Victorian neighbour, West Hartlepool in 1967.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Seaton Carew, in the county of County Durham (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SE)
Seaton Carew lies at the edge of urbanised Hartlepool, it has seaside amusements and a lovely stretch of firm sand.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Durham, in the county of County Durham (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)
Welcome to the City of Durham in the North East of England. Durham as a town reflects the long history of its magnificent castle...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Penshaw, in the county of Tyne & Wear (10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)
Penshaw lies in open countryside between the urban sprawl of Sunderland and Washington.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Spennymoor, in the county of County Durham (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction W)
Long before Spennymoor ever existed there was... Spenny Moor. Spenny Moor was a vast area of common land, and we are indebted to...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sunderland, in the county of Tyne & Wear (11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction N)
Sunderland was granted a charter in 1145, the charter gave it market rights and thus the town grew slowly from humble beginnings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kirk Merrington, in the county of County Durham (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction SW)
Kirk Merrington is a pretty, hilltop village overlooking the Wear Valley and the Cleveland Hills.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Middlesbrough, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction S)
When today you look at the thriving metropolis of Middlesbrough it seems impossible to believe that less than two hundred years ago it was a tiny fishing village with a minute community, but it was.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Washington, in the county of Tyne & Wear (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in County Durham
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Hartlepool Station	(6.4 miles, 10.4 km, direction SE)
Seaham Station	(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction N)
A1(M) Junction 61	(7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction W)
A1(M) Junction 62	(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction W)
Teesside International Airport	(16.9 miles, 27.2 km, direction S)
Newcastle International Airport	(24.6 miles, 39.6 km, direction NW)
Castle Eden Dene NNR to London	(229.5 miles, 369.2 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Castle Eden Dene NNR

Hotel Name
The Gables Hotel	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction NW)
Three Horseshoes Inn	(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction W)
York Hotel	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE)
Hallgarth Manor Country Hotel & Restaurant	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction W)
Ramside Hall Classic Hotel & Golf Club	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)
Hotel Bannatyne Durham	(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction W)
The Billingham Arms Hotel	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S)
Three Tuns Hotel	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction W)
Honest Lawyer Hotel	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W)
Kings Lodge Hotel	(10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction W)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts