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.
12-May-2026
A party of 11 volunteers met up at the Northumbrian Water pumping station at the end of Holywell Dene Road for more sycamore cutting, ivy bashing and general tidying up….
5-May-2026
The working party of eleven volunteers continued sycamore-bashing this morning, on a dull and slightly chilly day….
9-Jun-2026
It was strimming again for the seven volunteers making up the Working Party this morning. We strimmed the verges from St. Paul’s Church to the path leading down from Millfield ….
26-May-2026
A party of 8 volunteers gathered at the gas pumping station in Holywell for this morning’s session. Our main task today was to strim the grass verges along the sides of the path….
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.
23-Jun-2026
Strimming and balsam-bashing were the tasks awaiting the 7-person working party on this hot and sweltery morning. We met up at the Hartley Lane carpark at the usual time of nine o'clock….
16-Jun-2026
The 2026 strimming project continued this morning at the west side of the estuary. Eight volunteers assembled near Dene Cottage at the harbour end of the estuary: four with strimmers and four with rakes….
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