Waldridge Fell

Despite living in Chester-le-Street for hundreds of years, I had never visited Waldridge Fell before. I didn't think it looked particularly interesting and always ruled it out for a walk.

After my parents visited and said how great it was, we decided to give it a go. It was stunning!

It's a huge site at 284 acres and has SSSI status, due to the significant wetlands on site. Wanister Bog is the only known valley mire in lowland Durham and contains Marsh Marigold, Bogbean and Bogmoss.

The lowland heath on site also makes the fell special too, as this is a globally rare habitat containing moorland grasses, Bilberry and Heather.

Durham Council look after the fell and have a number of ways of managing the area. Coppicing of Birch trees, cutting back of Heather and Bracken bashing means trees and plants are controlled, helping to protect the rare habitat.

As you've probably gathered, we love a bit of bird watching too and again, this is a brilliant place for a bit of twitching. I wasn't hopeful of seeing lots, but I was wrong on this count too. We saw Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Linnet and even Curlew. Curlew in Chester, who would have thought it?

There were also two very tame Exmoor Ponies by Wanister Bog, grazing their way through the long grasses and scrub. They weren't fazed by us and even posed for photos.

The route we walked took us through all of the different habitats starting with the lowland heath. We then headed through some pretty high ferns and bracken, past the grazing ponies and bog and through some open fields where we spotted the Curlew. Then it was onwards through woodland and we were treated to gorgeous views of the fell and surrounding countryside. What a beautiful place!

There is stacks more info online. Durham Council have created a fab leaflet which has everything you need to know and you can find this online.

Waldridge Fell is a beautiful site, with lots of waymarked walks and plenty of parking. Can't believe I've never visited before!