Allen Banks & Staward Gorge NT

17/07/2026

Spotted at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge: Common frog.

Common frogs may be our most recognisable amphibian. They can be identified by dark patches on the back, stripes on the hind legs, and a dark ‘mask’ behind the eye.

Native to the UK, these fabulous frogs are widespread across Europe but numbers are thought to be declining due to degradation of habitats and the introduction of disease.

(Photo: James MacKell)

07/07/2026

When is a worm not a worm? When it's a slow worm!

Often mistaken for young snakes, Slow worms are actually legless, burrowing lizards. You may see them basking in the sun though they spend much of their time hiding underneath dense plant ground cover

Slow worms will attempt to flee if threatened but if they can't get away, they p**p. The smell is awful enough to deter some predators. When all else fails, they detach their tail - the tail continues moving for several minutes which distracts the predator and allows the Slow worm to make his/her escape.

Look out for them on your next visit to Allen Banks and Staward Gorge!

(Photo: James MacKell)

North East National Trust

17/06/2026

Our rangers have been hard at work building a stairway to heaven at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge. Such angels! 🙂

(Photo: James MacKell)

North East National Trust

16/06/2026

Lose yourself in green at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge.

North East National Trust

09/06/2026

It's and what better way to celebrate than in the great, big green of Allen Banks and Staward Gorge in ?

Show your love for nature this week, and every week.

(Photo: Cal Thompson)

North East National Trust

19/05/2026

Spotted at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge: Polytrichum moss, known as haircap or hair moss in English. So called because the cap at the end of the long stalk is hairy (poly meaning many and trichum meaning hair or hair-like).

Polytrichum mosses have tiny 'teeth' on their leaves that help them photosynthesise more efficiently. These structures, called lamellae, act a bit like miniature solar panels by increasing the surface area available for capturing light while also helping the moss retain moisture.

Also known as Star moss - click through the photos to see why - these beautiful mosses look like a tiny forest at ground level.

(Photos: Dan Madden)

North East National Trust

13/05/2026

If you're thinking of getting out and about during this May, we'd like to recommend the Bardon Mill Station to Allen Banks walk.

A short walk - accessible by public transport - this 1.6 mile (2.56 km) stroll takes you from Bardon Mill station to Allen Banks and takes in the River Tyne, the ancient yew tree at Beltingham Churchyard and beautiful open countryside before heading into the wooded valley of the River Allen.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/allen-banks-and-staward-gorge/bardon-mill-station-to-allen-banks

North East National Trust

This short walk from Bardon Mill station to Allen Banks takes in the River Tyne, the ancient Yew tree at Beltingham Churchyard & open Northumberland countryside

08/04/2026

A lovely article from about "one of Northumberland's most enchanting walks" at Allen Banks & Staward Gorge.

https://www.livingnorth.com/article/four-fabulous-family-friendly-walks

North East National Trust

Whether you're looking for a coastal stroll (with fish and chips at the end, of course) or an enchanting woodland walk, try one of these routes this weekend.

02/04/2026

Allen Banks circa 1925.

(Photo with kind permission of the Llewellyn family)

North East National Trust