Visitor Centre | Walks | Wildlife | Events | Charges | Photo Gallery
A park with a view and lots more to do.
Finding Flatts Lane:
Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park is the perfect place to explore the countryside south of Normanby. The park is also an ideal starting point from which to visit the Eston Hills.
The car park is located off Flatts Lane that runs between Normanby and the A171 Guisborough Road. Brown tourist signs are located in Normanby and on the A171 directing people to the park.
Access on foot is possible from Normanby, Eston, Ormesby, Spencerbeck and Nunthorpe.
There is a bus service drop off opposite the main entrance to the park. Bus services also drop off at Norman Conquest Public House and Ormesby Bank and the park can be reached via a short walk from both these points.
Tel: 0870 608 2 608 for further information on buses and times.
Visitor Centre:
Situated close to the car park is the Visitor Centre. This provides a base for the Countryside Ranger who is available to provide information to visitors.
The Visitor Centre facilities include toilets, baby changing facility and first aid point. In the exhibition room you can learn more about the history and the wildlife of the country park or have a go at solving one of the puzzles.
A small shop sells drinks and sweets.
Opening times:
The Ranger is normally on duty in the park Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm and on alternate weekends please ring for more details.
The Visitor Centre is usually open during these times. However, when the Ranger is out on site the Visitor Centre is closed. It is advisable to ring first if wanting to visit the Centre. The country park and outer car parks are open at all times.
Walks and viewpoints:
The park boasts a variety of habitats including both deciduous and coniferous woodlands, grassland and ponds. These can be explored on the many walks available in the park.
Using the park as your base you can explore further afield onto the Eston Hills or across towards the Guisborough area.
Guided walk leaflets are available for trials within the park, a circular walk around Eston Hills and a circular route to Guisborough Walkway. A further leaflet is available to link the site on a linear route to Saltburn called "Changing Habitats". The park is also part of the Tees Link walk.
Some of the parks main features are the spectacular views from the hilltops above the centre and from Godfalter Hill. To the North you can see right across the Tees Valley to the coast of Hartlepool and the Durham Hills. To the South you can see Roseberry Topping, Captain Cooks Monument, Guisborough Forest and Highcliff Nab.
Cycling and riding:
The park has a network of bridleways and cyclists and horseriders are welcome to use these. Please do not use footpaths and remember to giveway to walkers and other users.
Orienteering:
All levels of orienteering from beginner to expert are available at the park. Maps are available at the visitor centre for £1.50. Trail O and family fun trails are also available for small charge.
Access:
The old railways track that can be reached from the visitor centre, provides a pleasant woodland walk. The paths around the visitor centre have been developed into a sensory trail with sculptures, raised beds, bird feeding area and willow maze. Other access to the park is limited due to steep gradients and uneven surfaces.
A motorised buggy is available for use by people with mobility problems. The buggy can be used to explore the wider areas of the park. It is simple to use and a full demonstration is given to users. This service is free of charge although a small returnable deposit is required. Full details are available from the Visitors centre.
The buggy was provided by the BT Countryside For All Scheme. The visitor centre including parking, toilets and picnic area are all easily accessible.
Picnic and play area:
Some picnic benches are situated close to the Visitor Centre. A new play area is due to open in early 2010.
A site rich in history:
The site has a varied history, signs of which can still be seen. Old Flatts Lane was used by monks, farmers and traders to carry goods between markets and coastal ports. The cobbled path can still be seen in some places as it runs across the site. Godfalter Hill is a prominent landmark topped by its distinctive beech trees and is visible for miles around. It was used as a monks trod and there are many tales about how it was given its name.
The Visitor Centre stands on the site of Normanby Brickworks. The brickworks opened in 1883 and employed many local people over the years. The brickworks were demolished in the early 1970s. There are few remains but if you look carefully you should be able to find one of the many Normanby bricks scattered in the undergrowth.
Some of the bricks were transported on the Cleveland Railway and the old railway track now provides one of the main walkways in the park.
Wildlife:
Nature has now taken over where the industry once stood. If you are quite while visiting the park you may be rewarded with a sighting of some of the parks wildlife. Rabbits, squirrels, stoats, foxes and the shy roe deer are just some of the mammals that inhabit the park. If you are not lucky enough to spot such creatures, would be animals trackers can practice their skills looking for footprints, mole-hills and fur.
The park is also rich in bird and insect life with many species being recorded. The grassland of Godfalter Hill is a great place for butterfly spotting in he summer months.
The ponds in the park also attract much wildlife with frogs, toads, newts and dragonfly in abundance. The heron can sometimes be spotted fishing in the ponds.
The Countryside Ranger
One of Redcar & Clevelands Countryside Rangers is based at the park. The Ranger's job is varied and includes planning and leading educational activities for schools and other groups. The running of a year round programme of family events. The managing of the site for both people and wildlife and liasing with local landowners and other organisations.
Countryside Volunteers:
The Countryside Ranger is assisted by Redcar & Clevelands Countryside Volunteers. Volunteers give valued help in the running of the park and Visitor Centre.
Becoming a volunteer is a great way to meet new people and help care for the park. You can give as much or as little time as you like and take part in any of the activities that you fancy.
A regular practical conversation task is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These are varied and include tasks such as vegetation control, step building and drainage work. You need no previous experience and you can learn new skills along the way.
Other activities volunteers can become involved in include site patrols, litter picking, helping at events, assisting with school visits and helping in the visitor centre. More information
Events:
A family events programme is run throughout the year. A wide variety of events aimed at all ages are held in the park. These include craft workshops, treasure trails and childrens entertainers. A small charge is made for most events. Please contact us if you would like to be put on our mailing list and receive a regular copy of our events leaflet. View list of events
Educational Facilities:
The Countryside Ranger is available to provide activities to groups. Guided walks around the site can include both history and nature topics. Groups can study and compare the different habitats on site. There are opportunities for minibeast surveys, pond dipping, birdwatching and studying plantlife.
The viewpoints on the site offer an excellent chance to study the geography and land use of Teesside.
Children can take part in environmental games in which they learn about the environment through play activities.
Particularly suitable for younger children are sensory walks. These short walks with activities encourage children to use their senses to explore the environment around them.
Throughout November and December "Trees and Trails" sessions are held which are suitable for primary school children. The children go for a walk followed by a short craft session in the visitor centre. All the children make a nature themed card to take home with them.
The Rangers are also available to visit schools and groups to give slideshows or help with environment activities,
Charges:
The country park, Visitor Centre and car parks are all free of charge. There is a small charge for groups who require the services of the Ranger.
Contacting us:
For further information on any items mentioned on our website please contact the Countryside Ranger
Flatts Lane Woodland Country park
Flatts Lane
Normanby
Middlesbrough
TS6 0NN
Tel: (01642) 459629
We hope you have enjoyed visiting our website and hope that you will decide to come along and visit the park in the future.
Visitor Centre | Walks | Wildlife | Events | Charges | Photo Gallery
