Castle Eden Dene
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ413387 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 9.68 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ414389 | — | Favourable | 13.16 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ418389 | — | Favourable | 10.48 | 2010-11-29 |
| NZ422387 | — | Favourable | 17.73 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ422389 | — | Favourable | 17.17 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ427393 | — | Favourable | 2.75 | 2010-11-29 |
| NZ428399 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 17.14 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ430393 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 17.18 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ431392 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 16.32 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ431394 | — | Favourable | 5.26 | 2010-11-29 |
| NZ432399 | — | Favourable | 3.14 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ434398 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 12.8 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ437397 | — | Favourable | 6.06 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ439401 | — | Favourable | 9.72 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ440396 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 13.3 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ441399 | — | Favourable | 7.99 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ445401 | — | Favourable | 7.73 | 2018-01-12 |
| NZ445402 | — | Favourable | 6.97 | 2018-01-12 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Glacial Till, Limestone
Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial
Description
Area, 192.97 hectares 476.83 ac Description Castle Eden Dene is the largest and biologically the richest of a series of steep sided wooded denes, formed as deep ravines in the Magnesian Limestone and boulder clay of the Durham Coast. Due to its size and difficult terrain large parts of the woodland remain comparatively free from human disturbance, despite the proximity of Peterlee New Town. The majority of the woodland is developed on base rich soils with ash Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm Ulmus glabra as the main canopy species, although sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus is well established and yew Taxus baccata common. hazel Corylus avellana is the most abundant shrub species, but guelder rose Viburnum opulus, spindle Euonymus europaeus, privet Ligustrum vulgare, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and spurge laurel Daphne laureola are also significant components of the shrub flora. The species rich ground flora is dominated by wild garlic Allium ursinum with wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis and sanicle Sanicula europaea, whilst in the humid valley bottom there are locally extensive stands of hart’s tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium. Rare and local species include lily of the valley Convallaria majalis, herb paris Paris quadrifolia, bird’s nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis and round leaved wintergreen Pyrola rotundifolia. Juniper Juniperus communis and small leaved lime Tilia cordata also occur in the dene. In the upper parts of the dene on boulder clay soils pedunculate oak Quercus robur and, to a lesser extent, birch Betula pubescens dominate the canopy, with an understorey of hazel, holly Ilex aquifolium and rowan Sorbus aucuparia and a ground flora containing tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa, or bracken Pteridium aquilinum. The boulder clay slopes are inherently unstable and land slips are frequent. These become colonised by a wide range of ruderal and wetland plants in which giant horsetail Equisetum telmateia is often abundant, whilst in time willow Salix spp. scrub becomes established. At the western end of the dene is a small stand of grassland, containing blue moor grass Sesleria caeruleae, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, quaking grass Briza media and fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea. The insect fauna is exceptionally diverse and includes a large assemblage of nationally and regionally rare species, the best known being the elm feeding moth, Blomer’s rivulet Venusia blomeri.
Species mentioned
Show the 32 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusInsects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus robur |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Pteridium aquilinum, Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Sorbus aucuparia, Ulmus spp. |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Deschampsia cespitosa |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Betula pubescens, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Tilia spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| The anomalous Stilbia anomala |
Vulnerable | Deschampsia cespitosa |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus robur |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Pteridium aquilinum, Sorbus aucuparia |
| Light crimson underwing Catocala promissa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dark crimson underwing Catocala sponsa |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Heart moth Dicycla oo |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Betula pubescens |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Tilia spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Betula spp. |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Betula spp., Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus robur |
| Scarce hook-tip Sabra harpagula |
Near Threatened | Tilia cordata |
| White prominent Leucodonta bicoloria |
Regionally Extinct | Betula spp. |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Plant communities
W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub
Matches 16 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Allium ursinum, Anemone nemorosa, Asplenium scolopendrium, Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Euonymus europaeus, Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra
Show 81 indicator speciesHedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 6 species from the description above: Acer pseudoplatanus, Anemone nemorosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum, Quercus robur
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas
W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub
Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub
Matches 4 species from the description above: Asplenium scolopendrium, Corylus avellana, Mercurialis perennis, Pteridium aquilinum
Show 49 indicator speciesHedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas
W20 — Montane scrub
Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub
Matches 2 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Deschampsia cespitosa
Show 107 indicator speciesSalix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis