History of the Dene
The first reference to Holywell Dene was in 800AD although it was then known as Merkel Dene. It was part of the Manor of Hartley.
In 1219 the Manor of Hartley was conferred to Gilbert de Laval and became part of the Delaval Estate, as it is today.
About Us
In 2000 Holywell Dene was in a bad state and deteriorating rapidly. The tenant farmer’s right to over-winter cattle in the Dene had heavily affected the ground flora and natural regeneration, as well as severely damaging the numerous paths.
Welcome to Holywell Dene!
Holywell Dene is in the South East corner of Northumberland, with a small part straddling the border into North Tyneside.
The Dene stretches for approximately 6km between the villages of Seghill in the west, passing close to Holywell and Old Hartley, and thence to Seaton Sluice on the coast in the east.
Holywell Dene is a steep sided ancient semi-natural woodland and is traversed by a small river known as the Seaton Burn. Between Old Hartley and Seaton Sluice, where the river enters the sea, the valley widens into a tidal flood plain.
Much of the Dene is part of the Delaval Estate. In 2000 the Estate granted the two Councils a 99-year lease; they in turn designated their areas Local Nature Reserves.
In the same year, 2000, a voluntary community group called Friends of Holywell Dene was established.
Flora and Fauna
The woodlands of Holywell Dene, together with its adjacent agricultural fields, support a wide variety of Flora and Fauna.
Wild flowers found, which are indicators of native woodland, include:
Bluebells in the Dene
Latest News
Upcoming Events
Dates for your diaries - a list of events occurring throughout the year can be found here.
7-January-2025
It was perishing cold and windy when the six volunteers of the working party assembled at the metal gate on the Hartley Farm approach road for a morning’s hard labour on the steps down from the layby to the lower wooden footbridge….
14-January-2025
A work party of only 6 volunteers met at the metal gate on the Hartley West Farm road – due to a combination of holidays, dental and hospital appointments – to clear a couple of rivers blockages and seal off a couple of dog-runs….
21-January-2025
It was hazel coppicing this morning for the working party. The turnout was eight volunteers, and the weather was dull and cold but fine….
28-January-2025
A magnificent seven volunteers met up this morning in the drizzle at Seaton Sluice to do some work on the east side of the estuary: installing new steps and fixing a doggie slide….
4-February-2025
A party of 8 volunteers met at the metal gate on the Hartley West Farm road today for a session of path repairs. After a chat about where we were working and a safety briefing, four wheelbarrows were loaded up with tools and wood….
18-February-2025
The working party was mending doggy slides near Hartley West Farm this morning, with the turnout being nine volunteers – on a cold, dull morning….
11-February-2025
Eight volunteers assembled at the Holywell water pumping station this (cold, windy and wet) morning for some exercise repairing a stile and a fence, and removing an old fence….
25-February-2025
It was dog-slide repair work again for the working party of nine people this morning, on a dull but mild day….
4-March-2025
A party of 8 volunteers turned up at the metal gate on the Hartley West farm road on a mild morning ready to return to last week’s project of protecting the path from erosion caused by dog slides ….
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