Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Gorge of the River Allen with ornamental and ancient woodland
Storm damage update summer 2017
Hear from Ranger Chris what we've been up to at Allen Banks after the devastating landslip in winter 2015/2016
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Facilities and access
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Overview
Gorge of the River Allen with ornamental and ancient woodland
With its deep gorge, created by the River Allen, and the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland, this 250-hectare (617-acre) site provides the perfect setting for an adventure.
Largely created by Susan Davidson, Allen Banks has become a fantastic home for flora, fauna and fungi. It is also well known for its carpet of bluebells and ramsons, commonly known as wild garlic, which covers the woodland floor in spring and early summer.
Since the storm damage in 2016, the West side remains closed however, there are woodland walks aplenty on the East side - and with over 70 species of birds spotted at Allen Banks as well as a wide range of wildlife such as red squirrels, you are never alone.
NB: All of the woodland area sits within the North Pennines AONB.
- Telephone
- +441434321888
- allenbanks@nationaltrust.org.uk
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
How to get here
- Address
- near Ridley Hall, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7BP
- By cycle
- NCN72, 2½ miles
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- numerous public and permitted rights of way
- By train
- Bardon Mill 1½ miles
- By road
- 5½ miles east of Haltwhistle, 3 miles west of Haydon Bridge, ½ mile south of A69
- Parking: pay and display at Allen Banks. 3.3-metre height restriction
- SatNav:
- By bus
- services from Carlisle to Newcastle upon Tyne, stop within ½ mile
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid donations must be supported by a valid Gift Aid declaration and a Gift Aid declaration can only cover donations made by an individual for him/herself or for him/herself and members of his/her family.
Allen Banks and Staward Gorge
Opening times
Sunday 20 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Monday 21 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 22 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 23 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 24 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 25 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 26 August
- Countryside Dawn to dusk