Wildflower locations in the North-East.

[MarkE70]

I've decided to try my hand at macro-photography, particularly with wildflowers in mind. Does anyone recommend good locations around the North East (Northumberland/Tyne and wear). I would be most grateful for any tips on any good locations to start me off. Cheers, Mark.

[Hornbeam]

The best place in Britain for wild flowers (in my opinion) is in your area - Teesdale. Go to the area around Barnard Castle and then on to Upper Teesdale for mountain pansies, birds-eye-primroses and the magnificent spring gentians. The gentians may be over by now but this is the only place in Britain where they grow. You can see some of my Teesdale photos here:

Stort Valley Wild - Upper Teesdale

[IanS]

I second that a visit to Teesdale is essential. Fantastic area and some of our rare alpines to boot!

I think that you will also find good spots in the North York moors area too. If I remember correctly there are limestone pavements around there which should give you some great plants to photograph!

[Uncle_Filthster]

Most of the coastal grasslands from the Tyne to Berwick is very good for plants with therre being a range of calcareous dune grasslands and neutral/acidic maritime cliff flora, etc. Obviously it depends where you live and how far you want to travel. Druridge bay has a great range of plants to get started on and will be covered in orchids soon (common spotted, northern marsh, common twayblade and bee orchid). Supposedly there is also petalwort in one of the slacks but i have yet to find it. The dunes and saltmarsh around Lindisfarne are also good just watch out for pirri pirri bur so you don't bring any back home by mistake.

There are many areas of ancient woodland locally, even within the towns and Newcastle that still have a lot of their native flora intact.

So there is plenty to go at with public access!