The Howls

Welcome to The Howls Nature Reserve

The Howls is an ancient woodland in the steep valley of Char Beck. Each spring the woodland comes alive with birdsong and a beautiful show of woodland wildflowers.


Facilities & Accessibility

Parking:

There is no official parking available at this reserve.

Toilets:

Unfortunately, there are no toilets available on site.

Accessibility:

Access through the reserve is via a network of unsurfaced footpaths, which are uneven and occasionally muddy. Several steep flights of steps take visitors to the stream.

Dog Bins:

There are no dog waste bins on the reserve. KEEP DOGS ON A LEAD – CLEAR UP AFTER YOUR ANIMALS – DON’T DISTURB THE WILDLIFE. Thank you!

Slope

Visitors will encounter some steep flights of steps within the reserve where paths follow topographical features, but these allow visitors to see the reserve from the bottom of the valley.

Paths

Paths are generally unsurfaced and uneven. As a result, paths and steps can be slippery when wet.

More info

The Howls is a woodland nature reserve situated near the village of Dalton Piercy and following the valley of Char Beck. Ash and sycamore dominate the canopy, with hawthorn and elder making up the understory. Each year the woodland provides a colourful display of spring flowers including early purple orchids, violets, bugle and scarlet pimpernel, for example. Visitors might also spot the locally uncommon twayblade, which grows here.

Char Beck gives the reserve an added dimension and plants that like the damper conditions and soils thrive. Because of this you might see marsh marigolds, meadowsweet and a variety of ferns including broad buckler, hard shield and male fern. Fifty-three bird species have been recorded on the site and the summer is a good time to see warblers and the occasional spotted flycatcher.

At one time this deep wooded valley was going to be flooded to serve as a reservoir for local communities, but fortunately plans were changed and its ancient woodland and wildlife have survived. It is owned by Hartlepool Water Company and has been managed by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust since 1991.

Nearby Nature Reserves

A close-ip image of an oxeye daisy. 16 long white petals arranged around a cluster of yellow florets forming a a mounded disc at the centre.

Gravel Hole

(8 miles by car)

A great old willow grows twisting out of the earth.

Hardwick Dene

(9 miles by car)

Photo looking over the Fleet at Coatham marsh towards the steel works in the background

Coatham Marsh SSSI

(17 miles by car)

Gallery

Location

Directions

Having driven through Dalton Piercy village from the A19 take the first turning on the left after crossing the river. This is the access track for the reservoir; park on the hard standing next to the gates and follow the path into the reserve.

The reserve paths can be muddy after rain and care should be taken when using the flight of steps near the entrance.

Gallery