North of Darlington, County Durham

Skerningham Community Woodland

Broadleaf woodland

Source image

5.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandValleyFarmlandWalkersHistory loversFamiliesDogs

Why it's Wildland

5.8

A community woodland beside older Skerningham Plantation, where a walk can take in mature trees, the story of a medieval village and the memorial woodland known as David’s Wood.

This is more than a neighbourhood wood: sourced walks link the community planting to mature Skerningham Plantation, historic routes and the site of a deserted medieval village. Its strongest appeal is the layered landscape and the details to discover on foot.

Peaceful · Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

Find your way

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North of Darlington, County Durham

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The experience

Explore the community woodland on foot, then extend the walk towards Skerningham Plantation and the historic features described by local walk sources. Paths, route length and current access may vary; check conditions before setting out.

Things to do

Explore the community woodland paths

Wander the paths through the community woodland and notice how the newer planting differs from the mature woodland nearby.

1–2 hours

Visit Skerningham Plantation

A local history walk identifies the plantation, also known locally as Skunny Woods, as the remains of mature broadleaf woodland.

Find the site of Skerningham Medieval Village

The guided-walk account passes the site of the deserted medieval village; the supplied source does not provide a precise visitor marker.

Look for David’s Wood

The walk description says six Black Poplars were planted around the grave of local wildlife artist David Green, in an area named David’s Wood.

Follow the historic line of Salters Lane

A sourced guided-walk description includes ancient Salters Lane on its route. Confirm the current path and route before setting out.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 1–2 hours

A short woodland wander

01
Start from an access point at Glebe Road or Barmpton Lane, checking current access before you go.
02
Explore the community woodland paths at a comfortable pace.
03
Look for the transition between the newer planting and the mature trees of Skerningham Plantation.
04
Return by the route you came, unless you have confirmed a suitable connecting path.

Half day · Approximately 2–3 hours, allowing for stops

Woodland, old routes and a lost village

01
Begin near the railway bridge on Glebe Road, as described in the sourced walk account.
02
Follow the described approach towards Skerningham Plantation and the mature woodland.
03
Continue towards the area identified as Skerningham Medieval Village.
04
Look for the woodland burial place associated with local wildlife artist David Green, described in the walk source as David’s Wood.
05
Return towards Glebe Road using a route checked against a current map.

Verified history

A local history account says Skerningham Plantation is the remains of a large mature broadleaf woodland, possibly planted in medieval times or earlier. It also recounts an older written reference connecting Skerningham to Ecgfrida, daughter of Bishop Aldhun, and her marriage to Uchtred the Bold. The account says the estate formed part of her dowry and was returned to the church after the marriage ended. These historical claims are reported by the supplied local source and have not been independently corroborated here. A separate walk account identifies the site of Skerningham Medieval Village.

Folklore & legend

No folklore or legend is established by the supplied sources. Catkill Lane is described as possibly a Roman road or an older trackway; this remains uncertain, not verified history.

Hidden details

The Black Poplars of David’s Wood — A guided-walk description says six Black Poplars were planted around David Green’s grave in the area known as David’s Wood.

The traces of a medieval settlement — The supplied guided-walk source identifies the site of Skerningham Medieval Village along the walk.

When to go

The supplied sources do not establish a best season or time of day.

Check the forecast and current path conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not give specific weather advice.

The route

duration: Approximately 2–3 hours with stops, according to the walk description.
route shape: Described as a walk starting and finishing near Glebe Road; verify the route before setting out.
start point: Near the railway bridge on Glebe Road, as described in a sourced walk account.
parking start: A walk description reports space for a few cars near Glebe Road and parking along the road; do not block driveways. Verify current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Explore the community woodland paths and return by the route you came; no measured shorter route is supplied.

Skerningham Community Woodland
Mature trees of Skerningham Plantation
Salters Lane
David’s Wood
Site of Skerningham Medieval Village

What to look for

Notice the contrast between the newer community woodland and the mature trees of Skerningham Plantation. The supplied walk account also identifies the site of Skerningham Medieval Village, David’s Wood and the historic route of Salters Lane.

The story

Historic routes, Skerningham Plantation and the site of a deserted medieval village.

Best time to go

No season-specific advice is supported by the supplied sources.

No particular time of day or seasonal peak is established by the supplied sources.

How long to spend

1–2 hours; a sourced guided walk with stops takes approximately 2–3 hours.

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Families · Dogs

Practical information

Opening & access

Sources describe the woodland as publicly accessible, with approaches from Glebe Road and Barmpton Lane. Check current access and any local restrictions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

A walk description reports space for a few cars near Glebe Road and parking along the road; do not block driveways. Verify current arrangements.

Check before visiting

Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

The source row marks the site dog friendly. Confirm current rules and keep dogs under control around wildlife and other visitors.

Accessibility

The source row labels the site wheelchair accessible, but the supplied sources do not verify path surfaces, gradients or step-free routes. Check conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting