Tunstall Hills Local Nature Reserve

Tunstall Hills and Ryhope Cutting were formed when Britain was near to the equator, some 240 million years ago.  The area was part of a tropical barrier reef, stretching for at least 20 miles, from what is now Downhill (north Sunderland) to Hartlepool.  Today, the hills are one of the few visible fragments of this reef.

Most of the site is protected by the Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation as well as a a LNR designation.  SSSI is a national designation that protects rare habitats such as Magnesian Limestone Grasslands and rock exposures.

The grasslands are a hunting ground for kestrels, and home to smaller birds that nest in the hawthorn and gorse such as whitethroat, linnet and yellowhammer. 

In the winter, the hawthorn berries are an important food source for thrushes including redwing and fieldfare, which are winter visitors from Scandinavia.

To the south of the site near Rhyope Cutting, a wet meadow provides floristic diversity with species such as fragrant orchid, yellow rattle and the occasional bee orchid.

The main access to Tunstall Hills LNR is off Leachmere road, NZ395543.  Car Parking is available off Leechmere Road.  By taking the track up past the allotments.  Local buses from Sunderland stop on Leechmere Road

For further information, please contact the Wildspace Volunteer Co-ordinator on (0191) 553 8774 or email wildspace@sunderland.gov.uk

For information on the Friends group contact Tunstall Hills Protection Group (THPG) on (0191) 520 1181 or log on to www.communigate.co.uk/ne/thpg

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