Waldridge, County Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waldridge |
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 Waldridge
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| Population | 215 (2001) [1] |
| OS grid reference | NZ251497 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHESTER LE STREET |
| Postcode district | DH2 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Durham |
| Fire | County Durham and Darlington |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Waldridge is a small village located in County Durham, England. In 2001, about 215 people lived here. By 2011, the village boundaries changed, and the population grew to 4,215 people.
Waldridge is found southwest of Chester-le-Street. It is often called Waldridge Fell or Waldridge Village. The word 'Fell' describes the open, moorland area around it. The village was once known as Waldridge Colliery because of its coal mining history. The current village was built in the 1890s. The older village used to be higher up on the fell. Rainwater from Waldridge flows into two streams, the Cong Burn and the South Burn. Both of these streams eventually join the River Wear, which is a few miles to the east.
Contents
Exploring Waldridge Fell: A Special Place
Waldridge Fell is a very important natural area. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is protected because it is one of the last remaining areas of lowland fell in the county. Lowland fell is a type of heathland that is less than 300 meters (about 984 feet) above sea level.
Wetlands and Unique Plants
The fell has a special peat bog called Wanister Bog. This wet area is home to unique plants. You can find plants like marsh marigold, bogbean, different types of sedges, and bog moss here.
Wildlife and Plants of the Heathland
Waldridge Fell also has typical heathland plants and animals. You might see heather, bracken, and gorse. Animals like rabbits and various game birds live here. You can also find wild berries such as blackberry, bilberry, and raspberry.
Protecting the Fell's Habitat
To keep the heathland healthy, people manage the land carefully. They cut birch trees in a cycle to stop the area from turning into a forest. If it became a forest, the rare heathland habitat would be lost. The heather itself is also cut regularly. This helps new heather grow and creates areas with heather of different ages. This benefits many different animals that live on the fell.
Rare Insects and Birds
Waldridge Fell is home to some interesting insects and birds. Some of these are quite rare in the county. Look out for the green hairstreak butterfly and the emperor moth. The very rare red-tipped clearwing moth has also been seen here. You might also spot pairs of breeding European stonechat birds. They often perch on gorse bushes.
Waldridge's Mining Past: Coal and History
Waldridge became a village focused on coal mining. The main mine, Waldridge Colliery, was located on a hill south of the village. It opened in 1831. This mine closed in April 1926. It was connected underground to another nearby mine called Chester Moor. The mine's shaft and the equipment above ground stayed until 1967. They were used for air circulation and as an emergency exit.
Coal Transport and Later Mining
A large pile of waste material from the mine, called a slag heap, was south of the main mine buildings. Other smaller mines, called drift mines, were also on the fell. A special railway, called a waggonway, carried coal from Waldridge to the River Tyne until 1955. The most recent mining in the area ended in 1992. At that time, an area southwest of the fell, called Daisy Hill, was extensively mined using a method called opencast mining.
Filming Location
After the mine closed and its buildings were set to be taken down, Waldridge Colliery was used as a film set. It appeared in a BBC 2 drama called "Germinal" in 1970. The mine's winding gear, which was used to lower and raise miners, was "blown up" during the filming. It took two tries to destroy it for the cameras.
Ancient History: Roman Connections
Historians believe that a Roman road might have passed through the Waldridge Fell region. This road would have connected the Roman fort in Chester-le-Street to another Roman fort in Lanchester. It is also thought that a Roman aqueduct, which carried water, might have run to Chester-le-Street through this area.
Getting Around Waldridge: Transport Options
The only public transport available in Waldridge Village and Waldridge Fell is by bus.
Visiting Waldridge: Main Attractions
The main reasons people visit Waldridge are the beautiful Waldridge Fell and the nearby Cong Burn woodland. These areas offer unique plants, animals, and natural beauty to explore.
