Crowtrees Local Nature Reserve Walk/Cycle Route

About

Crowtrees Local Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Wildlife Site, and is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified. Habitats include grassland, scrub and wetland. Horses and cyclists are allowed on the permissive cycle path.

Crowtrees has been greatly influenced by its geology with coal mining and quarrying shaping the landscape. The remains of the engine house built in the late 1860s reflects on bygone days, using stonework from an earlier ‘showcase’ colliery. If you search through the undergrowth you can find remnants of the earlier phase with its tramway incline and houses for the workers.

This large nature reserve is special because of the diversity of habitats found here; flower rich grassland, scrub, ponds and wetland make it a real hot-spot for wildlife.

On the edge of the Magnesian Limestone plateaux, the grassland found here has a rich and unique mix of wildflowers and grasses. This is Magnesian Limestone grassland and part of the site has been designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Crowtrees is close to Kingswood, Little Wood and Coxhoe Quarry Wood Local Nature Reserves forming a huge wildlife corridor. A permissive cycle route runs through the reserve, providing a scenic traffic free route between Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill. It is clearly marked on the map and we ask that cyclists and horse-riders remain on this route.

Route supplied by Durham County Council’s Countryside Service.