Thornley Woods is a country park, which is mangaed by Gateshead Council. The park is mid-way between Swallwell and Rowland's Gill, and not far from the Gateshead Metro Centre. The park forms part of the Derwent Valley walk, itself based on an old railway line which ran from Consett to Newcastle.

The park is a good educational resource as it has 3 distinct ecosystems; a deciduous woodland, a coniferous woodland and a meadow. (there are also other, smaller scale ecosystems)

Use the map below to experience the park, find out what people think of the park, and to do some virtual experiments (so watch out for the virtual Geographer!).