NWT: Briarwood Banks woodland Traditional Cache

Briarwood Banks is a SSSI comprising of two distinct habitat types.
One of these is an area of ancient, semi natural woodland and it is one of the best in Northumberland.

Ash dominates, although oak and birch are common. Typical ancient woodland plants include ramsons, woodruff and dogs mercury. The woods around here provide the most northerly habitat for dormice (there are occasional black nesting boxes for them suspended from tree branches but so far none have been found on site) and you may also see red squirrels and roe deer. Birds such as pied flycatcher and great spotted woodpecker can also be seen.

The woodland supports a diversity of plant species which reflect the variation in soil conditions. There are a number of locally uncommon species including two regional rarities: bird's-nest orchid and wood fescue. Other uncommon plants such as herb Paris and toothwort are present along with a very good bryophyte flora and several rare, ancient woodland indicator lichens.

Management of the woodland has been ongoing for the last 4 winters and involves large groups of (mainly) volunteers removing non-native trees (usually conifers and beech, which are not native to the NE) and then replanting with native species such as those already existing along with a range of mid/low canopy species such as holly, elder, rose, cherry. If you look across from the cache site you will see evidence of some of this planting.

To reach the cache there is a permissive footpath up one side of the valley and down the other, connecting with the public footpaths. If you want to do the full circuit on this permissive path you will need to cross the burn and there is no bridge. After rain this may be tricky so to avoid disappointment I'd suggest approaching on the north bank and returning via the south if possible.

These Briarwood caches should combine nicely with those at Allen Banks.

Alternatively, there is space for a car (maybe 2) at N54 57.486 W2 19.817