Nature reserves
Come and visit our nature reserves! We have a number of reserves across County Durham, which are ideal places to visit for watching birds, butterflies and a variety of other wildlife.
The nature reserves vary from woodland to grassland, heathland to coastal, so whichever habitats you are interested in, there is somewhere to visit.
Where can I visit?
| Name of nature reserve | Location (link opens a location map in our GIS system) | Downloadable leaflet |
|---|---|---|
| Aykley Wood | northeast of County Hall, on A691 Durham City | |
| Blackhall Rocks | off A1086, southeast of Blackhall Colliery | Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve (PDF, 1 MB) |
| Bracken Hill | south of Bracken Hill Industrial Estate, Shotton Colliery | Bracken Hill Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Chapman's Well | on A6076, southeast of Annfield Plain | Chapman's Well Nature Reserve (PDF, 6 MB) |
| Chester Moor | off A167, east of Chester Moor | |
| Cong Burn Wood | north of Waldridge village | |
| Coxhoe Quarry Wood | northeast of Coxhoe | Coxhoe Quarry Wood Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Crimdon Dunes | off A1086, south of Blackhall Colliery | |
| Crowtrees | west of Quarrington Hill | Crowtrees Nature Reserve (PDF, 1 MB) |
| Daisy Hill | on Edmondsley to Waldridge road, east of Edmondsley | Daisy Hill Nature Reserve (PDF, 3 MB) |
| Egglesburn Wood | west of Eggleston | Egglesburn Wood Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Ferryhill Carrs | east of Ferryhill | |
| Greencroft Heath | off A693, south of Annfield Plain | Greencroft Heath Nature Reserve (PDF, 1 MB) |
| Hayberries | southwest of Eggleston | Hayberries Nature Reserve (PDF, 1 MB) |
| Horden Grassland | east of Horden Industrial Estate | |
| Kingswood | south of Quarrington Hill | Kingswood Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Limekiln Gill | behind Cotsford Park Estate, southeast of Horden | Limekiln Gill Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Littlewood | on B6291, northeast of Quarrington Hill | Littlewood Nature Reserve (PDF, 1 MB) |
| Low Newton Junction | east of Newton Hall | Low Newton Junction Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Noses Point | off A182, south of Dawdon | |
| Pity Me Carrs | east of Pity Me | Pity Me Carrs Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Tanfield Lea Marsh | north of Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate | |
| Willington Wood | north of Willington | |
| Wingate Quarry | on B1278, west of Wingate | Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
| Witton Dene | off A691, south of Witton Gilbert | Witton Dene Nature Reserve (PDF, 2 MB) |
More information
- Visit our countryside
- Country parks
- Picnic areas
- Railway paths
- Countryside events and guided walks
- Support your local environment by becoming a countryside volunteer.
There are designated barbecue areas at both Hardwick Park and Wharton Park. Unauthorised fires and barbecues are not permitted on any other of our countryside sites.
Other sources of information
- Public Rights of Way
- Durham Wildlife Trust
- Durham Heritage Coast
- Natural England
- Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) (wheelchairs, pushchairs and buggies)
- Email countryside@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 264 589
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