Branch out and discover Kielder

Kielder Water & Forest Park is making it even easier for visitors to discover the beautiful Northumberland countryside.

From Wednesday July 8 2015, visitors to the Park will be able to park their cars for free by taking advantage of a new Discovery Pass, administered by the Forestry Commission.

The pass, which costs £40, is valid for one year and also includes national and local discounts and offers, as well as a seasonal newsletter.

The money raised from the new scheme will help the Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust to develop and improve the activities and facilities available at the Park.

Lynn Turner, Director of Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, said: “Kielder offers a unique visitor experience on a bigger scale – we’re home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe and, at over 250 square miles, the largest working forest in England.

“We’re committed to helping people get the most out of their visit and to providing even more opportunities for people to enjoy what we have to offer.

“These passes are not only great value for money but help us to support the Park and maintain it for future generations to enjoy.”

Alex MacLennan, Recreation and Public Affairs Manager for the Forestry Commission in the North East, said: “With the summer holidays on the horizon, the Discovery Pass is a great way for families to save money visiting Kielder Water & Forest Park, while helping to care for it.

“Managing the largest forest in England with the huge amount of recreational provision we provide costs money to maintain. Working with our partners, all profit raised from the Kielder Discovery Pass will be directly ploughed back into the visitor services we all provide in the unique setting of this inspirational area.

“When you consider, we have the largest mountain bike trail network in England, the largest collection of outdoor art, we protect and promote the largest natural colony of ospreys and also have the unique off-road multi user trail, the Lakeside Way (some 26 miles). The pass is a great opportunity for visitors to contribute to the management of this vast area and at great value.”

The £40 cost for the year can actually mean only £10 per head for a family of four for 12 months, as the pass is per vehicle and not per person. It must be displayed in the vehicle wherever it is parked within any of the Kielder Water & Forest Park car parks.

The pass also includes money-off the art tours taking place in Kielder on Sunday July 26 and Wednesday August 26. Pass holders can join an experienced art curator on a minibus tour of some of Kielder’s most well-known, iconic artworks for just £5 per person.

Once visitors have bought their Discovery Pass, they can return to Kielder Water & Forest Park and enjoy their favourite outdoor activities all year round.

For more information and to apply for a Discovery Pass, see www.forestry.gov.uk/pass.

Notes to editors:

Discovery Pass holders get a colourful seasonal e-newsletter given the low-down on up coming events and tips on exploring the every-changing forest. Passes can be purchased from Tower Knowe and Leaplish Visitor Centres within the Park or by logging onto the website at www.forestry.gov.uk/pass.
National pass-holder discounts include: 15% off Go Ape Tree Top Adventure and Forest Segway, 15% off Forest Holidays cabin bookings, and 10% off Paramo Clothing when buying online. Local discounts include 10% discount off purchases in the gift shop at Leaplish Waterside Park and Tower Knowe, more than 25% off individual tickets for curator led art tours and 10% off bike hire at the Kielder Cycle Centre (www.thebikeplace.co.uk).

Kielder Water and Forest Park, which spans 250 square miles, is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in northern Europe. It was awarded the number one tourism experience in England by Visit England 2013, and the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. For more information see www.visitkielder.com.

Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust is a registered charity working to develop the Park as an inspirational place. It aims to improve economic, social and environmental sustainability, provide public recreation and leisure facilities, facilitate education in all aspects of the natural environment and advance art and architecture in the Park. The Trust works with the range of communities to benefit from these activities.
Members, who have appointed directors/trustees to serve on the board, are Northumbrian Water, Forestry Commission, Calvert Trust Kielder, Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society and Northumberland County Council. Affiliate organisations that are not members but have a close working relationship with KWFPDT include Arts Council England, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, The Scout Association and local decision making bodies such as the parish councils.

The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. To find out more about Kielder Forest visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northeastengland