Once home to the Monkton Coke Works, this 10-hectare community woodland in South Tyneside has been transformed into a vibrant green space. Originally agricultural land, the site was repurposed after the coke works closed in 1990, with extensive remediation efforts leading to its regeneration.
As part of the Great North Forest Project, over 30,000 trees and shrubs were planted, creating a vital habitat for wildlife and a valuable outdoor space for local communities. Two award-winning sculptures, The Swarm and The Hive, by artist William Pym, celebrate the site’s industrial past and ecological renewal. Transferred to the Land Trust in 2005, the woodland now provides peaceful walking trails, diverse habitats, and a lasting connection between people and nature.
10.47
Open access
An open access small, tarmacked car park is available off Mill Lane. It has 10 spaces including two disabled bays and is free to use, there are no electric vehicle charging points on site
A bus stop on Finchale Road is a one minute walk from the Monkton Lane entrance
The majority of the paths on site are compacted gravel, including the multi-use Bowes Railway Path. The woodland trails are surfaced with woodchip and maybe unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs
There are no toilets available on site
There is no cafe on site
Picnics are welcome on site but please do take all rubbish home with you. No BBQs please
There is no children's play area on site
A mixture of gravel and woodchip paths lead around and through the woodlands. The Bowes Railway Path also runs through the site
Cyclists are welcome on site but please stick to the main gravel footpaths and avoid the woodland trails, there is no where on site to store or lock bikes
Well-controlled dogs welcome, please ensure your dog has good recall before allowing off-lead. There are a number of bins on site for disposal of dog waste
Explore woodland trails that wind through sunny glades, carefully managed to encourage a rich variety of wildflowers and provide habitat for butterflies. Keep an eye out for the Dingy Skipper butterfly alongside many more common species, while the surrounding woodland is home to a range of birds including Blackcaps and Willow Warblers. Information boards throughout the site highlight its wildlife and heritage, helping visitors discover more about the landscape around them. You can also admire two award-winning sculptures, The Swarm and The Hive by artist William Pym, which celebrate the site’s industrial past and its transformation into a thriving haven for nature.
Mill Lane,
Monkton,
Tyne & Wear,
NE31 2JZ
Once home to the Monkton Coke Works, this 10ha community woodland in South Tyneside has been transformed into a vibrant green space. Originally agricultural land, the site was repurposed after the coke works closed in 1990, with extensive remediation efforts leading to its regeneration. As part of the Great North Forest Project, over 30,000 trees and shrubs were planted, creating a vital habitat for wildlife and a valuable outdoor space for local communities. Transferred to the Land Trust in 2005, the woodland now provides peaceful walking trails, diverse habitats, and a lasting connection between people and nature.
