Castle Eden Dene

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Castle Eden Dene is a dene in County Durham, south of Peterlee and north of Castle Eden, covering an area of around 1,200 sq. acres in size. It is a National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England (formerly English Nature) which cuts through the magnesian limestone of East Durham from Wingate down to the North Sea(German Ocean) coastline between Horden and Blackhall. It is rich in flora and fauna including the rare Durham Argus butterfly, and stands of ancient Yew trees.

It is the largest area of natural woodland in North East(Northumbria) England. It occupies a deep, steep-sided ravine formed in the Magnesian Limestone and boulder clay of this area of County Durham. The dene vegetation is a survivor of the wild wood which once covered most of Britain. Even today it remains relatively undisturbed by humans due to the difficult terrain of the steep sided ravines.

Over 450 species of plants have been recorded in the wood, many of which are typical of ancient woodlands that date back to pre - medieval times. In early spring, the woodland floor is scattered with the yellow flowers of the primrose and lesser celandine and the white flowers of wood anemone. An aroma of garlic may also be in the air which is given off by ramsons. This plant is the wild cousin of garlic used in everyday cooking. In late spring the yellow and white flowers give way to one of our great wild flower spectacles - thick carpets of bluebells. The dene can be accessed by the A19 from the west end and the A1086 from the east end.