(Taken from the Woodland Trust Website). This wonderful site, situated 2 miles south of Durham city centre, was purchased at auction in March 2008 and extends to 68 hectares (168 acres). It is located in greenbelt land that is designated both a conservation area and area of high landscape value. Its eastern boundary runs along the banks of River Wear whilst its western boundary is formed by the A167 – part of the old Great North Road. The bulk of the site was made up of arable fields enclosed by hedges but also included several pasture fields as well as some magnificent Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) occupying the steep slopes above the River Wear.
The Woodland Trust began creating a new native wood at the site during March 2010 with planting continuing until the end of 2012. Species such as oak, ash, hazel and rowan have been planted, along with some rare native black poplar, alongside the River Wear. Plenty of opportunities were provided for people to get involved through a host of events, from tree planting and Easter egg hunts to special discovery days for local schools. A splash of colour has also been created alongside the A167 by sowing wildflowers next to the road which bloomed for the first time in June 2011, with spectacular results.
The first Croxdale Colliery, on which the Low Burnhall site now lies, was opened in 1845. It only had a short working life, quickly surpassed for quality by other collieries in the area. The remains of this colliery are still present on the site, and can be observed if you look carefully.
The site can be explored using the public footpath and the network of new permissive paths, rides and open spaces that have been created to allow visitors to wander freely across the site, and to stroll along the riverside.
The posted co-ordinates are not the cache location, the car park is the suggested start point.
- Thrislington
- Pit House
- Tudhoe
- Bearpark
- Pit House
- Whitworth
- Brandon
- Broompark
- Broompark
- Houghall
- South Brancepeth
- Tudhoe
- Shincliffe
- Bishop's Close
- New Brancepeth
You can check your answers for this puzzle on 
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