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.
Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan balsam, an attractive but invasive alien plant, is trying to invade the banks of the river. Please keep an eye open for it, and report it if you see it. To find out what it looks like, view our Himalayan Balsam Guide.
19-Aug-2025
Today the working party was tasked with eradicating Himalayan balsam from one of the tributaries of the Seaton Burn near Holywell. The turnout was only six – but this is the holiday season….
2-Sep-2025
A party of 9 volunteers met on the stone bridge just off Hartley Lane for three jobs. The main one was the strimming of the meadow and the other two were replacing some fencing and replacing a panel in the boardwalk….
26-Aug-2025
Five volunteers met at the end of Wallridge Drive on a very warm and humid morning, although fortunately the rain had stopped and held off all morning despite the forecast….
16-Sep-2025
The Working Party was preparing the ground for our Silver Anniversary event this morning. This will take place on Tuesday 23rd September and will give local children the opportunity to plant 25 silver birches….
9-Sep-2025
A party of nine volunteers met at the metal gate on the Hartley West Farm road for a morning of strimming and balsam bashing. After a quick safety briefing, so that everyone knew where they were working….
30-Sep-2025
A party of 9 volunteers met on a mild autumn day at the Northumbrian Water pumping station at Holywell to repair a broken gate and to do a general clean-up of the area….
23-Sep-2025
This was a special day for Friends of Holywell Dene. Eight volunteers met up in the car park beside the Harbour View fish bar, but we were going to take the back seat for a change and let others do the majority of the work….
7-Oct-2025
The Working Party of eight volunteers was working on a variety of jobs near the tunnel this morning, on a dull but dry day. We assembled near the Northumbrian Water pumping station near Holywell, where we can conveniently park our tools van….
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