Since it’s original inception, as the Castle Eden Walkway, the park has grown from a linear site along the route of the old railway line by the acquisition on woodland areas to either side and along the length of the walkway. It is now truly a woodland park, which is reflected in the name change to Wynyard Woodland Park.

Thorpe Wood is an ancient woodland of largely broad-leaved native trees as was Brierley Wood before it was clear-felled as plantation woodland in the 20th century. Both Brierley and Tilery Woods are dominated by conifers but are being managed in such a way as to regenerate them as native tree habitats.

As well as the addition of woodland habitats, there is the open grassland of Pickards Meadow. The addition of the woods has also introduced the wetland habitats of the ponds and becks in these areas which add to the biodiversity of the original park.