Flatts Lane Countryside Park....

Flatts Lane 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.
Situated close to the car park is the visitor centre. This provides a base for the Countryside Rangers who are 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, sweets and pocket money priced gifts.

Opening times:

The Rangers are normally on duty in the park Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm and Sun 10am - 4pm

The visitor centre is usually open during these times. However, when the Rangers are 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 park’s 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:

A large picnic area is situated close to the visitor centre. A small play area for the under 5’s is also in the picnic area. This includes a slide, stepping stone and snail hopscotch.

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 monk’s 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 1970’s. 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 the 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.

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 guided walks, craft workshops, treasure trails and children’s entertainers. A small charge is made for most events.

Educational Facilities:

The Countryside Rangers are available to provide guided walks and 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. Groups who require the services of a ranger are led
charged 50p for half a day or a £1for a full day per person. School groups are invoiced for payment after visit.

Contacting us:
Flatts Lane Woodland Country park
Flatts Lane
Normanby
Middlesbrough
TS6 0NN
Tel: (01642) 459629