Monkton Community Woodland

Region: North East

This community woodland spans 4.5km of tracks, with four wood woodland paths and more than 30,000 trees and shrubs. Formerly a cokeworks, Monkton Community Woodland provides a number of vital links between communities and a wonderful network of green spaces and wildlife, as well as providing opportunities for volunteering and health activities.

The Present and the Future

The northern section of the woodland forms part of the Great North Forest and the former Bowes railway line, which runs through the site, is now part of the Sustrans long distance cycleway linking to other green space both east and west of the site.

The boundary to the site features two award winning sculptures ‘The Swarm’ and ‘The Hive’. The innovative pieces of art were produced by local artist William Pym and represent the transformation of Monkton Coke Works from a polluted industrial site in to a natural green environment.

Wildlife to look out for

Butterflies: Dingy Skipper; Large Skipper; Speckled Wood; Ringlet Common Blue

Birds: Robin; Chiff Chaff; Wren; Goldfinch; Blue tit; Great tit; Long tailed tit; Bullfinch; Reed Bunting; Willow Warbler; Great Spotted

Woodpecker; Sparrowhawk

Damselfly: Common Blue

Mammals: Weasel; European Rabbit; Field Vole; Grey Squirrel

Plants: Birdsfoot Trefoil; Orchid Hybrid: Common Spotted x Northern Marsh

Monkton Community Woodland Contact


The site contact for our Monkton Community Woodland space is Nicole Abbott / Jed Tubman Tel: 0191 428 1144 / 07587 136525

This space is managed in partnership with Groundwork Trust

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

Open Access

Car Parking

Yes

Toilets

No
(click here to find the nearest public toilets)

Café

No

Entrance cost

Free

Accessibility

There is a level path around the woodlands and to the pond

Footpaths

Yes

Dogs

Yes

Location

Mill Lane, Monkton, Tyne and Wear, NE31 2JZ

Site size: 10 hectares

Events

There are currently no events relating to this space.

View all events

History

The site of the woodland was originally agricultural land until the development of the site to accommodate the former Monkton Cokeworks.

1936/37: The Cokeworks was built by John Bowes Partners Ltd as the Government’s response to the Jarrow March of 1932 in which Jarrow residents marched to London demanding jobs.

1947: The works became nationalised and came under the control of the National Coal Board (NCB).

1953/56: Major expansion of the works and new coking ovens were installed.

1964: Output of carbonised coal had reached 285,000 tons and the site had a capacity of stocking 250,000 tons of coke.

1979: Another major renewal / expansion – 33 additional ovens resulted in the works doubling production – along with the pollution.

1987: The Hebburn Residents Action Group (HRAG), led by local County Councillor and resident Cllr Jennie Shearan was formed in response to a proposed further development, which would result in increased pollution and detrimental effects on the health of local residents. Parts of the surrounding housing estate had become known as “death row” and there is anecdotal evidence that “every house had an oxygen bottle in it”, due to the respiratory illnesses caused by the toxic pollutants from the site.

1990: After a three year battle, the HRAG received news that not only was the proposed development to be abandoned, but also that the plant was to be closed.

1992/93: The plant was demolished.

1998: The site was acquired by One North East. Half of the site, (approx 10Ha), was to become a business park, with the remaining 10ha being designated as public open space and was planted with trees as part of the Great North Forest project.

2005: The site was transferred to The Land Trust and management of the woodland area became the responsibility of Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle.

Development

The woodland is on part of the former Monkton Coking Works so has a history of contamination. The site was restored by One North East using money from the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Coalfield Programme. The Coalfield Progamme also provided the endowment which allows the Trust and its managing agent to manage the environmental liabilities and provide the added value activities.

The site provides key links that allow people to walk or ride between communities and access a wider network of open space. Site maintenance is undertaken by a social enterprise and a regular programme of health improvement activities is held on site. The space demonstrates that when actively managed, small space can make a big difference.

Land Trust Contact

To contact the Land Trust about this site or how we could help manage your space please email our Estates Manager Ian Kendall or call 07786 748985.

To enquire about holding an event on a Land Trust site, please click here.

Downloads

Download Cruise Around The Crusher, Monkton Community Woodland (3.4 miles/5.5 km) Download Spuggies Stroll, Monkton Community Woodland (1.4 miles/2.2 km)

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