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Whittle Dene is a wooded stream valley through which runs the Whittle Burn to join the River Tyne at Ovingham. Parts of Whittle Dene (or 'Dean' on old maps) consists of semi-natural, ancient woodland, continuously wooded since at least 1600. The long history has allowed a rich assembly of plants and a varied animal life to develop. Coppicing has been recently renewed and allows more light to penetrate the tree canopy, improving the habitat for wildlife.
The Dene has an industrial past. At the southern end of the wood are the remains of a mill pond, a well, weir and derelict buildings – all that’s left of a water-driven flour-mill. The millpond has since become an overgrown carr, colonised by willow and alder, often with a colourful display of opposite-leaved golden saxifrage.
At the southern end, there are several, privately-owned wooden chalets, summer houses with a woodland and stream-side setting.
The northern part of the wood is managed by the Woodland Trust Link
Whittle Dean by Graham Harvey: Archive Link
Northumberland HER: Link
North East Mills: Link