Heritage Wood

The Story of Teesdale Heritage Wood

The Barkes family have farmed at Thorpe Grange since 1936. The farm provides a natural gateway to Teesdale and some of the most picturesque unspoilt scenery in England.
The working farm has now been diversified into Thorpe Farm Centre one of the regions major tourist attractions.

The late Deryck Barkes, the original member of the family, was very keen to put something back into the land from which he earned his living and spent his working life as a farmer. He achieved this by planting numerous woodland areas at Thorpe Grange such  as Barkes Folly a 9 acre mixed woodland planted in 1962 and is now recognised on the ordanance survey maps.

In 2005, in memory of the late Deryck Barkes, the Barkes family decided to plant another woodland area, one that could be shared with the public. The idea of the community woodland from here began and in partnership with the Forrestry Commission plans were put in place.

In March 2006 the first batch of 900 trees were planted in what marked the beginning of the community woodland. A further 1400 siblings were planted in the second phase of planting in March 2007.

Nine species in all make up the woodland, the large trees such as oak and horse chestnut are planted towards the centre of the woodland along with the smaller field maples, wild cherries, rowan and birch. Smaller tree species and shrubs have been planted around the perimeter of the wood to form groundcover for the wildlife. 

The new woodland is easily accessible from Thorpe Farm Centre via a new bridleway. The new woodland paths have spectacular views of the farm and upper Teesdale. 

Teesdale Heritage Wood

While discussing the original concept of the new community woodland with various friends and colleagues we were surprised by the support we received. We constantly received enquiries as to weather members of the public could plant a tree themselves to commemorate various occasions.

Heartened by the initial response we came up with the concept of The Teesdale Heritage Wood

Why would i want to sponsor a tree?

The Teesdale Heritage Wood is an ideal opportunity for you to play an active role in the creation of a major new woodland area by personally sponsoring your own tree.
You may for instance wish to mark a family event or special occasion by dedicating one of nine species of tree, marking it with a plaque and returning year after year to watch its progress and to generally enjoy the open woodland setting and the wide spectrum of wildlife that will take up residence there. 
Whenever trees are planted there is a small risk that they may not survive. These trees are automatically replaced as part of our maintenance schedule. 

Sponsoring a Tree

Sponsoring a tree (all varieties) costs £175 (incl. VAT) and includes:

• A personal certificate to formally recognise your sponsorship of the tree.
• A plaque by your sponsored tree with space for a message of up to ten words.
• All year round maintenance of your sponsored tree.
• The planting of wild flowers to enhance the woodland environment.
  

How do I sponsor a tree?

Call us on 01833 627242 and we will post out a form to you. Alternatively you can email us on info@thorpefarm.co.uk and we will email the form to you.

Visiting Rules
In order to keep the Teesdale Heritage Wood well maintained we ask you to abide by the following rules:

Children
Children are more than welcome. In fact we actively promote Teesdale Heritage Wood as  a great educational asset. Schools have sponsored trees and bring children to Teesdale Heritage Wood on a regular basis to monitor the progress of their trees and to learn about the surrounding wildlife habitat. Educational packs are available on request.

Dogs
Dogs are welcome but please keep them on a lead.

Cut flowers and wreaths
After a while cut flowers and wreaths deteriorate. We do reserve the right to remove them when appropriate.

Litter
Please take it home with you.


Here at Thorpe Farm we are committed to the concept of Teesdale Heritage Wood. Trees can live for hundreds of years and it is our aim that our woodland will too, allowing generation after generation to visit trees planted and dedicated to their ancestors.


Teesdale Heritage Wood is free to roam from dawn to sunset all year round.