Local Nature Reserves

Harton Downhill Local Nature Reserve is known locally as Blackberry Hills and is situated by the Coast Road in the Horsley Hill area of South Shields.

In 2003/04, children from Downhill Infant School and Cheviot Junior School explored the site with the Countryside Officer. This provided inspiration for art workshops with local artist Jim Roberts.

Using the children's designs Jim created 12 metal posts which have been placed out on the reserve to guide the grass cutters around them, leaving a little more of the vegetation on site uncut, which will mean more wild flowers and more wildlife.

More information: The Coast: Trow Point to Lizard Point