Gateshead Birders

Longacre Woods

An older site that doesn't receive as much attention as it deserves is Longacre Wood between Harlow Green and Lamesley. Thousands of people pass the site every day as they drive north on the Al past the 'Angel or travel on the main line railway. This is because it lies wedged between the road and the main line railway. A walk through the site from the entrance beside the railway bridge on Smithy Lane takes you through the three ages of woodland'. You start through a newly planted area reclaimed from a previous route of the Al. You then pass through a middle-aged' section where in the summer you can see clumps of orchids between the trees. And, if this is not enough, you suddenly enter the mature woodland of Longacre Wood itself. During May the wood is a carpet of bluebells and other spring flowers with a backdrop of bird song. There is just one path through the site but it is fairly level for easy walking.