Welcome to Ousbrough Wood
As you stand in this ancient and magical woodland it's hard to believe that for hundreds of years scores of people lived and worked here in what was then a busy, noisy industrial valley. As these industries closed and people moved away, nature re-claimed the valley. Today Gateshead Council cares for this natural wood for the benefit of people and for wildlife.
Present and Future
Woodland
Ousbrough Wood is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI ). One half is ancient woodland. Here an Oak and Silver Birch woodland grows. In the more fertile areas at the bottom of slopes, Ash, Elm, Beech and Sycamore grows, giving a wonderful autumnal display. The other half of the wood is a conifer plantation of Scots Pine, Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Larch.
Beneath much of the woodland there are heathland plants such as Ling (Heather), Bilberry and Heath Bedstraw. This reflects a time hundreds of years ago when this area was a heathland. Today areas of heathland are so rare that they are protected from encroaching trees!
Today we manage the wood to conserve and enhance its wildlife. This involves removing some of the 'non-native' trees like Western Hemlock. In the future the conifer plantation will be thinned to allow areas of heathland and Oak/Silver Birch woodland to re-grow naturally.
Wild flowers
In the spring much of Ousbrough Wood is carpeted with Bluebells, Ramsons (Wild Garlic), Primrose, Dog's Mercury and Wood Anemone. These plants are normally only found growing in ancient woodlands.
The meadow is managed as a traditional hay meadow to encourage wildflowers to grow. Here flowers like Devil's Bit Scabious, Betony, Sweet Cicely, Wood Crane's-Bill and Pignut grow.
Animals
The meadow is something of a sun-trap and is a good place to see butterflies.
Look out for the Common Blue, Small and Large Skippers, the Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.
Roe deer and Foxes can be seen in the quieter parts of the wood. Red Squirrels have probably now been displaced by the North American Grey Squirrel, but if you are lucky enough to see one please let the Countryside Team know, on 0191 433 3443.
In spring and early summer the woods come alive to the music of the Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Listen to the sound of the Great Spotted Woodpecker 'drumming' its bill against a tree and look out for Dippers in the Burn. Stay in the woods until dusk and you may hear Tawny Owls calling.
Public events sometimes held on the site.
Access from High Forge near Beamish.
Grid reference: 225540