Blessed with a wild coastline and tracts of peaceful woodland, you never know what you might uncover on a walk in the Tees Valley. From rare plants to resplendent wildlife and special habitats for birds, here’s a few tips on where to connect with nature…
Wynyard Woodland Park, Thorpe Thewles
This former railway line, once engaged in carrying freight to the ports along the River Tees, has found new life as a walking and cycling haven. Footpaths lead off to popular nature spots including Thorpe Wood, Tilery and Brierley Woods and the beautiful Pickard Meadows. Circular walks offer magnificent views over the Tees Valley towards Roseberry Topping. Kids will love the play area, and there’s a cafe in the former station house.
Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, Seaton Carew
Incongruously nestled amongst the area’s site of heavy industry on the Tees Estuary, Teesmouth is a real haven for winged wildlife between North Gare’s dunes and Seal Sands’ intertidal mudflats, where around 100 common and grey seals loll about. A year-round destination, in winter visitors include knots from Greenland and Arctic shelduck and teals. Spring sees oystercatchers and lapwings make their nests, in Summer sandwich terns frolick amongst wildflowers, while in autumn cormorants and curlews descend on the rich coastal reserve. View the visitors from well-positioned hides or meander along the two way-marked trails.
The Tees Heritage Park stretches from Yarm to Stockton, taking in open land along the River Tees including the Leven Valley and Bassleton Beck. The park is home to stonechat, water rail, skylark and curlew which roost and feed in the rich, wet grassland and lakes found on the site. You can also catch a glimpse of frogs, toads, newts and birds such as moorhen in Quarry Woods or butterflies and beautiful wildflowers in Bassleton Wood and the Holmes.
Saltburn Valley Gardens, Saltburn
Pleasant paths and tracks lead along woodland and formal gardens developed in the town’s Victorian heyday, the Italian Gardens are particularly attractive with colourful floral displays and wildflowers on grassy banks. A miniature railway adds to the appeal in summer, and there are plenty of benches to sit and people watch from. The Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre and tearooms provide info and a well-earned cuppa, while the Old Nursery Garden is a haven of tranquillity. From here it’s possible to go on longer hikes through the forest and along the Cleveland Way.
The Italian Gardens in Saltburn Valley GardensKirkleatham Owl Centre, Kirkleatham
Take a walk on the wild side at the Kirkleatham Owl Centre. Set in the grounds of the 18th Century Kirkleatham Old Hall, the centre offers the chance to meet a wide range of creatures, ranging from vultures and meerkats, to rabbits and emus, and owls of course. A centre of education, The Owl Centre is also the area’s only specialist Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre treating hundreds of wildlife casualties each year. There are regular opportunities to take in flying displays, meet the baby owls, get a photo with one of the animals and more.
Buy a copy of the Tees Valley Guide for even more nature-filled ideas, including walks and nature reserves to formal gardens to wild wide open spaces, the Tees Valley is ripe for exploration!