Gateshead Birders

Thornley Woods

The Thornley Woodlands Centre is the starting point for a number of woodland walks and nature trails. The woods are home to Red Squirrels and there is a bird hide. There are also pedestrian links (with steps and steep gradients) to the Derwent Walk enabling CC1 users to linear walks from Thornley to Swallwell or Rowlands Gill (or vice versa). The visitor centre has information displays and toilets are available. The Thornley Wood Hide overlooks a winter bird feeding station of interest from November to April. Car park at the Thornley Woodlands Centre. Open 9am to 5pm, key required at other times.

Keys are available for purchase from the Thornley Woodlands Centre

The Centre - on the A694 near Rowlands Gill. Toilets, parking and information available. Open to the public from 12 noon to 2pm during the week and 12 noon to 5pm at weekends and spring and summer Bank Holidays. It may be open at other times depending upon staff availability. Cyclists and horse riders please note - there is pedestrian access only to the Country Park from the Thornley Woodlands Centre.

Telephone 01207 545212 for further information.

Typical views from the hide [Photo: Alan Mould and Steven Fryer]

This site is excellent for photographing wildlife such as Jay, Green Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, Grey & Red Squirrels [Photos Iain Thompson & Steven Fryer]

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