Addison and Hedgefield Woods

Quiet meadows and woodland with a significant local past.

The woodland was once a thriving colliery and village where Alexander Graham Bell made an experimental telephone call.

This place is a beautiful example of how nature reclaims land when people move on. From the woodland at Addison, to the scrub and grasslands at Hedgefield, this place is a thriving wildlife refuge, and a site of Nature Conservation Importance.

After Addison Village was demolished Sycamore and Beech trees were planted on the site. Some coppicing will be carried out in this young woodland – this is were trees are cut down to allow regrowth from the stumps. This lets light onto the woodland floor which benefits woodland flowers. Look out in spring for woodland wildflowers like Bluebell. These were all planted here by local schoolchildren and volunteers.

There are also areas of much older woodland. Here the trees will be left to grow.

A Fox

You might see Foxes or hear in Spring the drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Stay in the woods until dusk and you may hear Tawny Owls calling.

The wet grasslands at Hedgefield Quarry support colourful plants like Northern Marsh Orchid and Ragged Robin while Devil's-bit Scabious and Betony grow on the drier slopes. The scrub at Hedgefield provides cover and food for many birds like Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Yellowhammer, while Foxes and Roe Deer also make the site their home.

Paths and seats have been installed at Addison to make access easier for everyone.

A footpath, with steps, has been created from Hedgefield Quarry to Reedside in Ryton which allows you to make an attractive circular walk.

Circular walk available
Public events often held on the site.

Access opposite St Hilda's Church on the B6317 at Hedgefield near Ryton.

Grid reference: 166643