Briarwood Banks facts for kids

Briarwood Banks is a special woodland in Northumberland, North East England. It's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it's home to many important plants and animals. This forest is mostly made up of elm, oak, and ash trees. It's a natural woodland that's getting back to its best after some planted conifer trees were removed.

Where is Briarwood Banks?

Briarwood Banks is located in the southwest part of Northumberland. It's about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) southeast of Bardon Mill. It's also about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) west-southwest of Haydon Bridge.

Rivers and Streams

The woodland sits along the banks of several small streams. These streams flow into the River Allen. The River Allen forms the northeast edge of Briarwood Banks. The streams include Farnalees Burn, Black Sike, and Kingswood Burn.

Size and Landscape

This special woodland is about 0.79 miles (1.27 km) long. It can be up to 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide. In total, it covers 24 hectares (about 59 acres). The land slopes down from 190 meters (623 feet) high in the southwest. It reaches 100 meters (328 feet) where it meets the River Allen.

Nearby Special Areas

Briarwood Banks is one of several SSSIs along the River Allen. South of it, you'll find Stewardpeel Woods. That area starts about 0.6 miles (1 km) upstream. The Allen Confluence Gravels SSSI is even further upstream, about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) away.

What Plants and Trees Grow Here?

Briarwood Banks has many different types of plants. They grow in various parts of the woodland.

Trees and Shrubs

On the lower slopes, you'll mostly find wych elm trees. Higher up, oak trees are more common. You can also see ash trees all over the site. Other trees include downy birch and bird cherry. You might also spot yew and alder.

Some beech and sycamore trees are also present. These trees likely grew from older planting efforts. Common shrubs here include hazel, holly, and hawthorn.

Ground Plants

Underneath the elm trees on lower slopes, you'll find plants like dog’s mercury and woodruff. Other plants include wood melick and giant bellflower. You might also see enchanter’s nightshade and wood avens.

Under the oak trees on higher slopes, there's creeping soft-grass and false brome. You can also find wood sorrel and broad buckler-fern. If the soil is very acidic, you might see great wood-rush, bilberry, and common cow-wheat.

Special Habitats

Rocky areas in the woodland are home to hard shield-fern and hart’s-tongue. Wet, boggy spots have different plants. These include giant fescue and tufted hair-grass. You can also find bugle, yellow pimpernel, and meadowsweet.

Dark and damp parts of the woods are perfect for rare lichens. These include Biatorella monasteriensis, Lobaria laetevirens, and Leptogium teretiusculum. You'll also find mosses and ferns like epiphytic polypody and oak fern.

Rare Plants

Some rare plants grow in Briarwood Banks. Wood fescue is found among moss on rocky slopes. Mountain pansy grows on the riverbanks. You might also see alpine penny-cress. This plant grows here because of metals that have seeped into the soil from nearby rocks.

Woodland Health

In 2010 and 2012, experts checked the health of Briarwood Banks. They said it was 'unfavourable-recovering'. This means the woodland is getting better. Actions like removing plants that don't belong there and stopping animals from overgrazing are helping it recover.

What Animals Live Here?

Briarwood Banks is a great place for wildlife.

Mammals

The Northumberland Wildlife Trust says these woods are one of the most northern places where dormice live. Other animals you might see include roe deer and red squirrels.

Birds

Many different birds also call Briarwood Banks home. You might spot a pied wagtail or a greater spotted woodpecker.

Visiting Briarwood Banks

The Northumberland Wildlife Trust looks after a large part of Briarwood Banks. They manage about 21.2 hectares (52 acres) as a nature reserve. This area is open to the public. There are even paths that are suitable for wheelchair users.