Discover Brightwater

For those who don’t already know, Discover Brightwater is a £3.3 million Landscape Partnership Programme, supported by all you National Lottery players via the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The partnership is led by Durham Wildlife Trust, and it’s our ambition to restore, reveal and celebrate the catchment of the River Skerne in southern County Durham and Darlington. That’s our Bright Water Landscape, where the project partners have been tasked with delivering more than 19 individual projects and more than 40 separate activities by summer 2022.

Much has been done to improve habitats along the river, which is straightened and over-deepened by dredging over much of its length. Work in the channel has improved flows, creating riffles and faster-flowing sections that slow sedimentation and create better habitats for fish. We have already completed more than 15km of river improvements, and we are currently working on another 6km between Holdforth Bridge and Bishop’s Fen, with other improvements to a stretch of river in central Darlington. Wetland restoration projects are improving the health of the water environment across the Skerne catchment by providing a ribbon of restored wetland habitat along the river corridor. Our project will restore a minimum of 40ha of floodplain, grazing marsh, fen and reedbed habitats. We are currently in negotiation with landowners to see if we can support improvements to another 60ha by the time the project comes to a close.

Read our latest river updates here

In addition to our wildlife work we’ve also a range of archaeology and arts projects. So, if you like mystery, history, and hands that get blistery finding out what our Brightwater Roman and Medieval ancestors got up to... then read on.

This summer, archaeologists from The Archaeological Practice, along with volunteers, have excavated a deserted medieval village on the east and north-east side of the present settlement of Archdeacon Newton. County Durham contains some of the best-preserved medieval village earthworks in the country, but very little investigation of these sites has taken place. This excavation will help us uncover the site’s history, foundation, growth, and reasons for desertion. So, you’re intrigued by the discoveries at Brightwater? Then do have a read of our latest magazine – the special archaeology edition is bursting with finds we unearthed around the patch. We literally unlocked the secrets of Sedgefield when we discovered an 1800-year-old iron key. There’s our ‘Wonder -wall’ dig in Bishop Middleham, and we got to grips with a deserted village and our very own medieval ‘mafioso’ in Walworth. Read our magazine online:

Together with our friends at Hardwick Park and Groundwork NE & Cumbria, we have commissioned Lee and Jill, from LJB Design, to create a fun and exciting wooden sculpture trail. It has been recently installed, and we are currently completing the trail and leaflet to accompany it. Each of the carved sculptures represents the wildlife found in our local area. The trail leads visitors to discover all of the beautiful sites throughout Hardwick Park and then on to Durham Wildlife Trust’s new nature reserve – Bishops Fen.

Young people in Darlington have been working with professional composer Sarah Freestone, lyricist Katie Doherty, and musicians from Opera North, to create and record a brandnew piece of music, inspired by the Skerne. On 7th November we were able to enjoy the live premiere of the music, performed by the choir of Durham Music Service with the orchestra of Opera North, at a fantastic concert at the Darlington Hippodrome.

Three hundred school children from Aycliffe Village and Firth Moor Primary schools have written, illustrated, and now published their very own book! With the help of Darlington author and illustrator, Liz Million, the budding writers and artists have produced the storyline, artwork and characters to help tell the tale of the Durham Ox and his astonishing ability to travel in time!

The Brightwater team has designed an initial selection of ten walks that are suitable for a range of ages and abilities. The guides are available to download from

They’ll also be available to pick up from multiple venues across the patch over the coming months. Walking is a great way to explore the patch, to discover and celebrate its beautiful landscape, wildlife and history.

Do follow us on social media, or better still, sign up to our newsletter via our website to receive updates about the Discover Brightwater programme and information on opportunities to get involved…