Whittle Dene - Ovingham

Site Description

Whittle Dene Wood lies between the River Tyne to the south and the A69 to the north and on the edge of Northumberland National Park. It is formed in the steep sided valley of the Whittle, the name given to the small 'burn' (river) which runs through the valley, north to south. The wood extends along both sides of the valley, but that in the Trust's ownership is mainly on the west-facing slope.

This ancient semi-natural oak-ash woodland is long and thin, with steep, exposed rocky outcrops to the north becoming more flat to the south. The north is characterised by mixed broadleaves including oak, ash, sycamore, beech, Scots pine, elm and Norway spruce. There is much standing and fallen deadwood. To the south the woodland is more varied with a coppice of hazel. The ground flora is stunning in spring with anemones, bluebell, primrose and wild garlic. There are also many ferns including shield fern, broad buckler fern, oak fern and Hart's tongue fern.

Whittle Dene has an industrial history. At the southern end of the wood are the remains of a mill pond, a well, weir structures and associated derelict mill buildings from old water driven flour mill. The mill pond has been colonised with willow, alder and opposite-leaved golden saxifrage.

The wood is rural but well used by locals and visitors alike and there are information boards at the entrances north and south. There are many footpaths through the wood linking with public footpaths in the surrounding countryside. In places the paths are quite narrow and steep. To the west of the wood is a bridleway that links with routes to Ovington.

The wood supports a diverse bird life including kingfisher, dipper, heron and great spotted woodpecker. Deer are frequent visitors.