Allen banks

Owned by The National Trust,and a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest for its rich plant and animal life) - this extensive area of gorge and river scenery, including the 41-hectare (101-acre) Stawardpeel Site of Special Scientific Interest, has many miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods. On a high promontory within Staward Wood are the remains of a medieval pele tower and at Allen Banks is a reconstructed Victorian summerhouse.
In spring and early summer it makes for a superb birdwatching walk as common resident woodland birds are joined by summer migrants such as Wood warbler,Redstart and Pied flycatcher(below).River resident species such as Grey wagtail (below photograph) and Dipper(above) share the river with Common sandpiper.The visitor should also look out for both Common buzzard and Hobby which is expanding its range northwards.

The woodlands at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, looked after the National Trust, are part of the largest area of ancient woodland in the North Pennines AONB.The leaflet (left) provides an overview of what's special about the woodlands and how to explore them on the area's waymarked trails. To order this publication simply send an email to info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk, call 01388 528801 or write to North Pennines AONB Partnership, Weardale Business Centre, The Old Co-op Building, 1 Martin Street, Stanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY.

The Birder's Market | Resource | Birding locations | Birding sites England | Birding sites Northumberland |  Allen Banks